Films, Radio

The Hidden Story of Jesus

C4 Tuesday 25 December 2007 8.30pm

As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, theologian Robert Beckford investigates remarkable parallels to the Christ story in other faiths, some of them predating Christianity by thousands of years.

The Hindu god, Krishna, was conceived by a virgin and his birth was attended by angels, wise men and shepherds. Buddha was also the result of a miraculous birth, and was visited by wise men bearing gifts. He too began his ministry at about 30 years old and performed such miracles as walking on water and feeding 500.

Some people in India believe that Jesus did not die on the cross but escaped from Roman Palestine and ended up in Kashmir. There, they say, he continued to preach, had a wife and child, and later died and was buried.

The Great African Scandal

September 2007, Channel 4

In this thought-provoking documentary, made with the help of Christian Aid, academic Robert Beckford undertakes a challenging, emotional journey to Ghana in West Africa.
This is where, two centuries ago, Robert Beckford’s ancestors were seized and taken as slaves to Jamaica. Now he is making a journey to the land of his roots to discover the hidden costs of rice, chocolate and gold.

Working alongside local people, Robert struggles to survive on the average wage of 60p a day. He asks why, 50 years after independence, this country, which is rich in minerals and is a stable democracy, is still one of the poorest in the world.

He examines the activities of multinational corporations, as well as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to find out whether they have actually made countries like Ghana worse off. And, most importantly, he asks how we, as consumers and citizens, can make a difference.

The Secrets of the Twelve Disciples, Channel 4, 23rd March at 5:45pm

Questioning generations-old traditions about the disciples, Robert Beckford sheds new light on claims that, over the last 2,000 years, the Church has manipulated their stories to suit its own purposes.

http://www.channel4.com/documentaries/

The Secret Family of Jesus

December 2006, Channel 4

In The Secret Family of Jesus, Robert Beckford explores the historical evidence for claims that Jesus had brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and nephews, as well as a deep friendship with Mary Magdalene. Beckford and many other theologians believe that Jesus did indeed have an extended family that survived some 300 years after his death. However, they have been airbrushed from history and excised from the Bible as the result of a power struggle in the early church.

The Passion: Films, Faith and Fury

Channel 4

In this special Easter documentary, Robert Beckford traces the rollercoaster relationship between faith and film, from the first Bible movies, made more than a century ago, to the present day.

Presenter Robert Beckford says that the films which have commanded the biggest budgets and stirred up the most vitriol in the history of Hollywood have been based on one book – the Bible. The programme is a fascinating exploration of the uneasy and often hostile relationship between the church and Hollywood.

God Gave Rock and Roll To You.

December 2006, Channel 4

Pop music can have a powerful influence – on what we wear, how we speak and even what we believe. For the most part, Christian churches have been hostile to the music that young people choose to listen to, and the music industry has responded with equal hostility, believing that any song with 'Jesus' in the title will sink without trace. The reality is more complicated, says Beckford, as he traces today's rock music back to its roots in the southern states of the USA.

Ghetto Britain

October 2006, More4

2006 sees the 30th anniversary of the Race Relations Act and Dr Beckford asks whether it has succeeded in embracing the multicultural dream, or whether indeed the plan has spectacularly backfired and created a multi million pound race relations industry that has lost touch with its grassroots.

The Real Patron Saints

December 2005, Channel 4

In this fascinating Channel 4 documentary, author and lecturer Dr Robert Beckford examines the myths and contradictions attached to the patron saints of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. He explores the stories and legends about them and disentangles history from mythology.

Of the four patron saints of Great Britain and Ireland, only St David was born and bred in the land he is said to protect. St Patrick did spend his adult life in Ireland but the other two – St George and St Andrew – lived in the Middle East and Asia Minor, and never set foot in the British Isles. So who were the real patron saints? And what is their significance today?

Empire Pays Back

August 15 2005, Channel 4

"I believe African slaves were ripped off by the British Empire," says Dr Robert Beckford at the outset of this documentary. "I want to know who bankrolled it, who insured it and who made a mint from it."

Beckford, a lecturer at the school of historical studies at the University of Birmingham, believes that Britain should pay reparations to the descendants of slaves, and hires a team of experts to put a monetary figure on the amount owing. In the process, he details how institutions such as the Bank of England, Guys' Hospital, HSBC, Barclays and the National Gallery all have slavery in their histories.

The Gospel Truth

March 21 2005, Channel 4

Broadcaster and Theologian Robert Beckford explores the claims of Wille Ruff, a black Professor of Music at Yale University who is convinced that the roots of gospel music are more Gaelic than African.

Gospel Truth has been shortlisted for Best Docmentary in the Celtic Film and TV Awards, shortlisted for the Grierson Best Documentary Award, nominated for a Bafta Scotland Documentary Award and has won a Bronze CBC Award.