Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

American Cinema Special

Marking America's 250th anniversary, leading figures in US media, film and culture talk about their favourite classic American movies and what they tell us about the country.

To mark America's 250th anniversary, Talking Movies hears from leading figures in US media, film and culture who tell the 麻豆社 about some iconic American movies and what these films reveal about the country and the psyche of her people.

American Psycho director Mary Harron talks about Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy, while critic and film-maker Bilge Ebiri looks at Hitchcock's classic thriller North by Northwest. 麻豆社 News presenter Sumi Somaskanda reveals her passion for the prison drama The Shawshank Redemption and award-winning journalist Tim Teeman selects Steven Spielberg's Jaws. Talking Movies' host Tom Brook chooses the Robert Altman ensemble satire Nashville.

Each contributor speaks about what their film choice means to them and how and why they feel it has become an American cinema classic. This special illustrates the American nation on the big screen and the influence it's had in bringing its movies to the world.

Release date:

23 minutes

On TV

Sat 4 Jul 2026 03:30

Broadcasts