Programme Information

Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt star in a powerful, award-winning drama

James Nesbitt and Liam Neeson star in a powerful, award-winning drama that explores aspects of Northern Ireland's troubled past and the challenges the future holds in coming to terms with it.

In 1975, 17-year-old Alistair Little, a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) murdered a 19-year-old Catholic, Jim Griffin, in Lurgan. He was arrested two weeks later, along with three others involved in the shooting, and convicted. Jim's murder was witnessed by his 11-year- old brother, Joe Griffin.

Five Minutes Of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall) and written by Guy Hibbert (Omagh) is fiction inspired by real people. Working closely with Alistair and Joe, screenwriter Guy Hibbert creates a unique and compelling film that moves from a powerful re-enactment of these tragic events to a fictional interpretation of what might happen should these two men ever come face to face. The film explores the impact of the legacy of violence on both men.

Five Minutes Of Heaven was the winner of two prestigious awards at this year's Sundance Film Festival – The World Cinema Directing Award for Oliver Hirschbiegel and World Cinema Screenwriting Award for Guy Hibbert.

Joe Griffin is played by Bafta-nominated actor James Nesbitt (Murphy's Law, Bloody Sunday). The role of Alistair, 30 years on, is played by Liam Neeson, best known for his role as Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning Schindler's List.

GJ

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The Speaker Ep 1/8

Tuesday 7 April

8.00-9.00pm BBC TWO

The search is on to find Britain's best young speaker. Comedienne Jo Brand, performance expert and Rada tutor Jeremy Stockwell and ex-NBA basketball star and motivational speaker John Amaechi travel the UK in search of the nation's most eloquent and inspiring teenagers, in The Speaker.

Featuring 14 to 18-year-olds, the eight-part series sees tough-talking teens, class jokers and shy, sensitive types go head to head as they learn to talk publicly and passionately about things that matter to them.

Jo, Jeremy and John start by putting youngsters through their paces in four regional auditions. Only 20 will make it through to the next stage, where they face a series of communication challenges. The contestants that don't make the grade will be eliminated. At the end of the series, the three best candidates will face a final showdown where they must make the speech of their lives.

Helping the finalists learn and rise to the challenges from week two of the series are a group of guest mentors who offer expert tutelage and inspiration. They are: queen of the Dragons' Den, Deborah Meaden; Earl Spencer; journalist and broadcaster Kate Silverton; and Tony Blair's former Director of Communications and speech writer Alastair Campbell.

In episode one, the search starts at regional auditions in Glasgow and London and the judges are expecting to see every type of speech and speaker. In each venue, only five of the talented youngsters will go through to the next stage and the competition is tough. Some 160 teenagers were invited to take up the challenge to prove they can talk confidently on any subject – but only one will possess the passion, personality and conviction to become The Speaker.

FW

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The search to find Britain's best young speaker continues as comedienne Jo Brand, performance expert and Rada tutor Jeremy Stockwell and ex- NBA basketball star and motivational speaker John Amaechi continue their nationwide quest.

In episode two, the judges travel to Manchester and Cardiff to put more talented teenagers through their paces. With only five youngsters from each venue going through to the next round, the competition is fierce and only the most impressive will make it through.

The subjects range from gang warfare to geeks and civil rights to cereals. Some speakers are lost for words, some are inspired but all are desperate to impress. It's no easy decision and, at times, the judges are at loggerheads. They finally decide on 10 speakers to go through to the next round of challenges – but only one will eventually be crowned The Speaker...

FW

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The remarkable rise of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States has been propelled as much by his exceptional skill as an orator and the emotive power of his words as by any other factor. On the podium, on television, on radio and on the internet, his speeches have inspired millions of Americans and captured the imagination of the world.

Alan Yentob travels to Washington for the inauguration ceremony and joins the crowds in thrall to Obama's words. He traces the awesome power of orators from the very inception of this art form – from Aristotle and Cicero to Lincoln and Kennedy to Churchill and Hitler. And what about George W Bush? From the silver-tongued to the tongue-tied, from the sublime to the ridiculous, this programme takes a fond and irreverent look at the art and history of political speech.

Among those offering their views on the world's finest orators – and what made them truly great – are Bill Clinton, Bob Geldof, Alistair Campbell, William Hague, Charlotte Higgins and Germaine Greer.

CD3