British B Movies: Truly, Madly, Cheaply

Film historian Matthew Sweet presents a documentary reappraising over half a century of British B movies, from John Mills on the wrong end of a whipping in The Lash through to the giant gorilla Konga running amok in Croydon. Sweet argues that the cheapness of these films, unlike the A film, ensured they often portrayed Britain as it really was, even when (as in the case of 1970s sex movies) that wasn't necessarily a nice place to be. John Mortimer and Michael Winner are among the interviewees. (R)

Broadcast on:

BBC Four, 12:25am Tuesday 26th August 2008

First broadcast:

Saturday 21st June 2008

Duration:

90 minutes

Available until:

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• Factual,
• Arts, Culture & the Media