Main content

Lawrence of Arabia

And the Academy Award Goes To...Series 1
Episode 1 of 4

In his history of the Oscars, Paul Gambaccini discovers how David Lean's epic won the Best Picture Award in 1963. From February 2008.

It's the moment every movie director and actor dreams of - the gold envelope is slowly opened and the Oscar goes to... them!

Paul Gambaccini reveals how David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia won the Best Picture Award in 1963.

But - away from the red carpet and the bright lights and the tearful speeches - what do the Academy's decisions tell us about the state of America?

Are the awards a hotline to the American psyche, revealing an array of political, cultural and social calculations - conscious or unconscious - behind what are presented as purely artistic judgements.

Producers: Sara Jane Hall and Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on Radio 4 in February 2008.

Available now

30 minutes

On radio

Mon 26 Jan 202610:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestSeries 1

See all episodes from And the Academy Award Goes To...

Broadcasts

  • Sat 2 Feb 200810:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 7 Sep 200823:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tue 7 Mar 201718:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 8 Mar 201700:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 18 Feb 202218:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 19 Feb 202200:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 26 Jan 202610:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 26 Jan 202616:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 27 Jan 202600:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

The Business of Film

The Business of Film

Mark Kermode reveals the economic realities behind the film industry.