Hans Zimmer – Hollywood Rebel

1×60 BBC 2 TX 16th October 2022 – BBC Studios

My Grandparents War – Toby Jones

1×60 Channel 4 TX 6th October 2022 – Wonderhood Studios

My Grandparents War – Kit Harington

 1×60 Channel 4 TX 15th September 2022 – Wonderhood Studios

A second run of the excellent series begins with an absolute cracker.’ The Times

★★★★★ TV Times

★★★★ Daily Mail

‘Always engrossing and often poignant’ Critics Choice Sunday Times

‘This was all great stuff.’ ★★★★ The Telegraph

My Grandparents War – Helena Bonham Carter 

1×60 Channel 4 TX 27th November 2019 – Wild Pictures

★★★★ The Telegraph

★★★★ The stories were jaw dropping…The Independent

4th Best TV Programme of 2019 The Telegraph

★★★★★ ‘inspiring, moving, humbling and arguably her most important performance to date.’ The Times

Pick of the Week Mail on Sunday

Critics Choice The Times

Francobuilding

1×90 BBC 4 TX 27th August 2019 – BBC Studios

★★★★★ Superb documentary  

The Times

Never has television been used so intelligently, so imaginatively

The Oldie

Jargon – More Than You Ever Wanted To Know with Jonathan Meades

1×60 BBC 4 TX 27th May 2018

It’s good to have him back. Nobody else makes television like this.

Radio Times

Scathing lucid and hilarious. This erudite verbal and visual essay

Observer

A characteristically witty ribald and provocative essay

The Times

It’s ace!

The Guardian

There were so many more ideas in this hour than in the entire output, since its inception, of (say) The One Show that it was almost embarrassing.

The Observer

Blisteringly brutal, clever and hilarious. It manages to be visually interesting on what looks like a budget of 40 quid.

The Guardian

How on earth did Jonathan Meades on Jargon make it all the way to the screen? Were the people in BBC corporate responsibility (or whatever it’s called) drunk or stoned or something, or did it unaccountably bypass their office all together?

New Stateman

This is a film that should be shown to all aspiring public figures before they disgrace themselves. Above all, like so much of Meades’s work, it is a stunning contribution to our understanding of ourselves, and confirms him as the leading cultural commentator of our age.

The Daily Mail

Stanley and his Daughters

1×75 BBC 4 TX 4th Feb 2018

Nominated for Grierson Awards – Best Arts Documentary 2019

Nominated for Best Director – Factual – RTS Craft Awards 2019

This fascinating film

Simon Horseford  – The Daily Telegraph

The way they relate to each other and all the history behind it is fascinating to watch  

Daily Mail

A fascinating portrait of the artist framed by the peculiar estrangement of his daughters  

The Observer

This poignant Arena

The Times

There is a sweetness at the heart of this documentary

The Sunday Times

An extraordinary documentary….Francis Hanly made this strange, moving, funny, sad film just in time.

Sam Wollaston – The Guardian

Remarkable story of two elderly sisters. 

Matt Baylis – The Daily Express

That Frank Hanly was there to capture the sisters last year together fills me with admiration: for both him and for Arena’s long serving editor, Anthony Wall

Rachel Cooke – The New Statesman

Sgt Pepper’s Musical Revolution 

1×60 BBC2 June 2017

Nominated for Broadcasting Press Guild Award Single Documentary 2018

Brilliant! Of course, you did what I did: put the record on immediately afterwards. There was so much new to listen to even though you’d heard it 4000 times before.

The Guardian

Bravo and thank you – the best, most revealing music documentary I have ever seen.

Danny Baker

Benbuilding: Mussolini – Modernism, Marble and Monuments

1×90 BBC4 June 2016

Infuriating and enlightening, Meades is a one-off and must be preserved.

The Arts Desk

Face of Britain with Simon Schama

1×60 mins BBC 2 TX October 2015

Quietly provocative, unpredictable, educative, at times effervescent.

Daily Telegraph

Continues to be one of the best things on TV; it can certainly claim to be without peer on Wednesdays.

The Guardian

In Charlie Chaplin’s Footsteps with Terry Jones

1×60 mins Wild Pictures for ITV 1 TX May 2015

Schama on Rembrandt

1×60 mins BBC2 TX Oct 2014

Highlight of the Week FT

Chocolate Perfection with Michel Roux Jr

1×60 mins What Larks Productions for BBC4 TX May 2014 

Bunkers, Brutalism and Bloodymindedness

2×60 mins BBC4 TX Feb 2014

Meades remains singular, without progenitor or competitor, the great polemicist of the small screen, his latest two-part lecture was one of his best. Producer-director-cameraman Francis Hanly needs a concrete recommendation for engineering the visuals. Sunday Times

An exasperating, exhilarating reminder of real arts broadcasting. All praise to director Francis Hanly for letting Meades have his sometimes perverse, tossing head. Financial Times

Any new Jonathan Meades series is a reason to cancel all other engagements, but this is a treat even by his standards. The Guardian

These might be his richest films yet. The New Statesman

How The North Was Built

2x 60 Mins Silver River for ITV 1 TX July 2013  

Jonathan Meades: The Joy of Essex

BBC4 TX Feb 2013

Ravishing, precisely composed shots of the churches, chalets, factories, estuaries and houses that revealed the real Essex to be a various, curious place. Radio Times

It was a fitfully beautiful film. The Guardian

This was daring TV, boldly moulding the medium to its own message, painting pictures in words with beguiling images used as punctuation. Metro

Howard Goodall’s Story of Music

BBC2 TX Jan/Feb 2013

Let’s not beat around the bush: Howard Goodall’s Story of Music (BBC2, Saturday) is landmark television, a documentary series that deserves to rank with such unimpeachable classics as Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation.  The Spectator

The result was like being on a rather exhilarating rollercoaster, absorbing sensation and information even as the world spun by. The Telegraph

Brazil With Michael Palin

BBC1 TX OCT 2012

Magical Mystery Tour Revisited

BBC2 TX OCT 2012

A marvellously evocative Arena. The Sunday Times

A superb Arena. The Times

Francis Hanly’s absorbing film…a first rate documentary. The Financial Times

So many superb and surprising moments. The Independent

Meades On France BBC4 TX Jan 2012

Chosen as one of the Top Ten programmes of the Year by the Observer

… a brilliant look at France from the man with the sharpest tongue in documentaries. The People

Anybody who’s ever seen Meades’ wonderful Abroad series will know that this is one travelogue not to be missed. The Independent

In this typically thoughtful, funny and beautifully shot new series, Meades considers his adopted homeland. The Guardian

…brilliant and fascinating and unlike any programme on France you’ve ever seen. The Times

Some people will find the programme playful, knowledgeable, articulate and refreshingly original, while others will switch off in seconds flat. There’s no middle ground. The Telegraph 

Arena:Produced by George Martin

BBC2 TX APRIL 2011

RTS BEST ARTS DOCUMENTARY NOMINATED 2012

This is brilliant, it’s just amazing. Daily Mirror

A brilliant 90 minutes of television. Chris Evans

A superb profile. Radio Times 

A beautifully made, intimate and affectionate profile… it’s a joy to watch – and to listen to. Daily Mail

A superb documentary. The Sunday Times

Last night’s superb Arena documentary which at an hour and a half didn’t remotely outstay it’s welcome. The Independent

Fantastic, fresh film. The Observer

Imagine: Nigel Kennedy’s Polish Adventure BBC1 TX June 2010

It’s all wonderful. Bravo. The Guardian

A life enhancing film. The Times

Virtual Revolution

EP 2 for BBC 2. TX Feb 2010

WINNER DIGITAL INTERNATIONAL EMMY 2010

Jonathan Meades: Off Kilter

2 X 1 hour for BBC Scotland for BBC 4 – Director – TX September 09

A stunning film, I cannot remember when I have enjoyed a TV programme more.  The Guardian

The Great African Balloon Adventure

3 x 1 Hour. Tiger Aspect for ITV 1 – Series Producer & Director -TX May/June 09

The Big Art Project

4 x 1 Hour. Channel 4 – Series Producer and Director -TX May 09

Jonathan Meades: Magnetic North

TX FEB O8 BBC4 1×60   TX MAY O8 BBC 2 2x 30 

The BBC should be proud of this beautifully directed, intelligent series. THE TIMES

The Case of The Disappearing Architect

 (BBC SCOTLAND FOR BBC 2) TX 23.5.07

A programme that inspired you with it’s intelligence. THE OBSERVER

How Music Works with HOWARD GOODALL

(4x 60 mins Tiger Aspect for C4. TX Nov/Dec 2006)

WINNER LEARNING ON SCREEN AWARD 2008

This is thrilling, absorbing and instructive to watch. A winner. – THE OBSERVER

It’s an absorbing, fascinating programme. How Music Works is proper, copper-bottomed, quality television. GUARDIAN

Who’d have thought that what’s essentially a lesson could be so riveting. TIME OUT PICK OF THE WEEK

This is simply excellent. FINANCIAL TIMES

How Music Works was a positive credit to the telly. TIMES

How Music Works is brilliant. THE MAIL

Debbie Does Dallas Uncovered

(Boomerang for C4, TX 18.4.05)

Time Out Critics Choice

Howard Goodall’s 20th Century Greats 

RTS WINNER 2005

BAFTA NOMINATED 2005 (Tiger Aspect for C4)

Lennon & McCartney  (27.11.04)/Bernard Herrmann  (11.12.04)

One of the landmarks of British Arts Television  – PROSPECT

If only all arts shows were this good – MAIL ON SUNDAY

If future instalments are anything like the Beatles programme, they’ll be unmissable. – IRISH INDEPENDENT

This is an exemplary documentary – SUNDAY TIMES

A brilliant series – SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Spellbinding stuff – EVENING STANDARD

Informative, provocative and compelling – THE INDEPENDENT

A precise, musically illustrated and inspiring programme – DAILY TELEGRAPH

It’s all brilliant! – THE GUARDIAN

Pavarotti – The Last Tenor

90 mins 

ROSE D’OR NOMINATED 2005 (VTVC for BBC 2 May 2004) 

Francis Hanly’s elegant and intimate film reaches and sustains several high notes.  THE TIMES

A definitive and gorgeous portrait. DAILY TELEGRAPH

A truly amazing man and a great programme. – EVENING STANDARD

Meades Eats

3x 30 mins (BBC 2 March 2003)

GLENFIDDICH FOOD & DRINK AWARDS NOMINATED 2004

Offensive: The Real Derek & Clive

(Chrysalis for C4 – Christmas Day 2002)

Time Out Critics Choice ‘The Best Christmas Viewing’

A skilfully constructed, well argued and entertaining package. Evening Standard

Surreal Film

(BBC2 & BBC 4Tx 29.9.01)

Time Out Critics Choice – Programme of the Week

The film is a glorious combination of jokes, juxtapositions, anagrams, art history, personal revelation, nuns, more nuns and even more f*****g nuns. TIME OUT

A network of images of unparalleled sophistication. THE INDEPENDENT

A wise & witty celebration of surrealism. THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

‘Queen Victoria Died in 1901 And Is Still Alive Today’

(BBC2 Tx 7.1.01)

Chosen as THE INDEPENDENT’s ‘Highlight of the Year’ 2001. If all programmes were half as intelligent, reviewing television would be a joy’

Television Programme of the Year, this was the most creative look at anything since the 1960’s. I demand the BBC issue it on video immediately  THE SCOTSMAN 

His programme on the Victorians was wonderful. THE TIMES

Had the first 10 minutes been made by Malcolm McLaren in his heyday it would probably become some kind of classic. THE OBSERVER

Racy, Provocative, hallucinatory polemic. Far too much here even to summarise. Just watch and wonder. THE MAIL

The programme was stuffed with fascinating anecdotes and unexpected insights and was enormously entertaining. THE TIMES

Image and argument perfectly in step… an invigorating polemic. THE INDEPENDENT

Idiosyncratic, humorous  & colourful. TIME OUT

Mr Rock and Roll (VTVC Four-part series for  Channel 4 Tx. Sept – Oct 1999, Series Producer & Director)

An absolute triumph, compulsory viewing. MUSIC WEEK

Mr Rock and Roll is an unmissable series; beautifully shot, well researched, a truly entertaining show. MOJO

Excellent. HEAT

Wonderful. THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 

Excellent. THE TELEGRAPH

A compelling series. A classic rock & roll tale. TIME OUT

Great Viewing. THE MAIL

Arena – Busby, Stein and Shankly – The Football Men 

RTS NOMINATED BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY 1998 (Three-part series,   BBC 2 Tx. 29.3.97 – 31.3.97. 

Absorbing  SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

A superb series. SUNDAY TIMES

An epic… in a documentary nearly three and a half hours long the managers were not the only stars. There was also the documentary maker. THE EXPRESS

Essential Viewing THE SCOTSMAN

A brilliant portrait of men, a game and a generation. ROY HATTERSLEY

Do not miss the trilogy of documentaries on BBC 2 this weekend. They are pieces of social history. THE GUARDIAN

The Arena Trilogy was more a study of working-class visionaries than any shallow football history. GOAL

The Arena logo is a message in a bottle. This programme is one. DAILY TELEGRAPH

I thought McIlvanney’s first two films were wonderful and nothing will keep me from watching the third part tonight. BRIAN VINER, DAILY MAIL

Frank Hanly’s imaginative and sensitive direction. THE INDEPENDENT

The aim, superbly realised, was to dig in the rich seam of their past for something near the truth. THE OBSERVER

The Football Men, the BBC Arena programme’s piercingly beautiful evocation of the lives of Shankly, Sir Matt Busby and Jock Stein. THE EXPRESS

Rock Family Trees I

(Six-part series, BBC 2 Tx. 24.6.95 – 5.8.95, Series Producer & Director)

Easily the most informative and hilarious music show for years. This could – and should – run and run. NME

Richly Enjoyable. This is the stuff of rock’n roll. INDEPENDENT

“Tremendous entertainment. A Gem.” EXPRESS

“A superb series.” INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

“Thoroughly entertaining.” EVENING STANDARD

“The series is compulsive viewing.” THE STAGE

“A fascinating 6 part series.” TODAY

“This is a great series. Rock & Roll.” THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

“The highlight of the summer weekend’s viewing. Unfailingly entertaining.” THE TELEGRAPH

“Television’s surprise hit of the year.” TONY PARSONS. THE TELEGRAPH

“Both funny and engrossing.” THE SUNDAY TIMES

“A triumph of the documentary maker’s art.” THE DAILY MAIL

“The terrific Rock Family Trees.” NEWS OF THE WORLD

“So far this series has not only been funny but instructive too.” VICTOR LEWIS-SMITH, THE EVENING STANDARD

Rock Family Trees II  

(Six-part series, BBC2 Tx. Sept – Oct 1998, Series Producer & Director) 

“At last, TV’s greatest music documentary series gets a second outing. To be missed only in the event of death.” SELECT

“Utterly compelling.” THE EXPRESS  

“Wonderful Stuff.” THE TELEGRAPH

“Friday Nights have been made beautiful again.” NME

“As Ozzy himself might say. “Funniest programme of the week, or I’ll eat my bat.” THE GUARDIAN

“Consistently marvellous.” SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 

“A Compelling Drama” THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

OTHER CREDITS

CLASH OF THE TITANS – BOBBY FISCHER vs THE SOVIETS (BBC2 Tx July 1999)

“Clash of the Titans was a riveting film.” THE GUARDIAN

“A fascinating documentary.” TIME OUT

BOOKMARK – ‘The Quest For A.J.’ (BBC 2  3.11.93)

“This was one of those few programmes that actually deserve the epithet “memorable”.” THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

ARENA – BUDD SCHULBERG, A CONTENDER (26.5.01)

Screened at The 30^th Telluride Film Festival

ARENA – SPORTSWRITER – THE FIGHT, THE MATCH & THE RACE (11.7.92)

ARENA  – EDWARD SAID – THE IDEA OF EMPIRE  (12.2.93)

ARENA – TEXAS SATURDAY NIGHT (31.8.91)

THE LATE SHOW – BBC 2

14.9.92 ‘Marshall McLuhan – What If He Was Right?’ 

Sept 91 ‘William Gibson – Cyberpunk’ 

June 89 ‘A Short History of the Robot’ 

RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD – BBC 2 

Series 1 1988 – Researcher

Series 2 1988-89 – Producer

Series 3 1990 – Series Producer

Series 4 1991 –   ”        “

Series 5 1992 –   ”        ”