Classic Movies: The Story Of

Synopsis

Movie critic Ian Nathan goes in search of the cinematically sublime and explores the ingredients that went into making a classic. With each episode devoted to a single film, their story will be told with detail, affection, looking for the truth behind the myth, and all the trials and triumphs that went into forging the classic.

First Air Date: 2023-08-31

Last Air Date: 2025-06-05

Number of Seasons: 4

Number of Episodes: 20

Networks: Sky Arts

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Ian Nathan as Self - Presenter

Seasons

Season 1 (2023) - (6 Episodes)

Season 2 (2024) - (6 Episodes)

Season 3 (2025) - (6 Episodes)

Season 4 (2025) - (6 Episodes)

Season 1 (2023)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: The Third Man (2023-08-31)

In this opening episode, movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities that made this 1949 film noir starring Orson Welles an enduring classic.
Ep. 2: The Ladykillers (2023-09-07)

Movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities that made this 1955 black comedy - starring Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers - a classic.
Ep. 3: Brighton Rock (2023-09-14)

Movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities that made this 1948 gangster film noir starring Richard Attenborough, an enduring British classic.
Ep. 4: The Graduate (2023-09-21)

Movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities that made this 1967 romantic comedy-drama starring Dustin Hoffman an all-time classic.
Ep. 5: Ran (2023-09-28)

Movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities that made this 1985 epic action drama, directed and co-written by Akira Kurosawa, an enduring classic.
Ep. 6: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (2023-10-05)

Movie critic Ian Nathan examines what helped to make James Cameron's 1991 sci-fi-action sequel, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, so critically-acclaimed within the genre.