Season 42 • Episode 4
LatestOmnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.
Direction
Launched careers of directors who'd reshape cinema.
Production
36 years of BBC prestige = unmatched archival access.
Writing
Barry Norman's magazine era brought sharp critical voice.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
David Wheatley's Magritte film was his graduation project — Omnibus gave student work primetime BBC1 slots. Wild.
This series essentially invented the British television arts documentary format; everything from 'Arena' to 'Sight and Sound' owes it rent.
GB
