Season 6 Episodes
51 episodes1
Anastasia: Her True Story
Born in 1901, she was supposedly the fourth and final daughter of the Russian czar. But the woman who claimed to be the princess for over 60 years was more likely the daughter of a Polish factory worker. Amongst the many mysteries surrounding the Romanovs is the story of Anastasia. Was she killed along with her family in 1918, or did she escape into New York high society? Leading historians discuss the young princess before the Russian Revolution and explore recent forensic findings that conclusively prove that the woman who lived as Anastasia was not the real princess. Rare home movie footage and extensive interviews with those who knew her capture the intrigue of this fascinating figure. Anastasia: Her True Story offers an illuminating investigation into the unique double-life and enduring enigma of the puckish young princess who symbolized the glory of Czarist Russia.
2
Andy Griffith: Hollywood's Homespun Hero
Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith started studying to become a preacher, but then changed to music and drama. All of these pursuits worked to launch his career with a preacher act. He went on to play Sir Walter Raleigh with a British accent. But it was his folksy, down-home North Carolina accent that made him a star. First in his triumphant Broadway show, No Time for Sergeants, and then his acclaimed role in A Face in the Crowd. His career spanned the decades in radio, stage, TV and film. His long-running TV comedy series as a southern sheriff in "The Andy Griffith Show" established him as a television icon. Today he is best known for his portrayal of small-town lawyer on the popular television series, Matlock. Biography takes a look back at the life of one of the most popular and endearing stars in American television.
3
Augustus: First of the Emperors
Explore the life and legacy of Gaius Octavius—better known as Augustus—who transformed Rome from a republic torn by civil war into a stable empire that endured for centuries. The program traces his rise from the adopted heir of Julius Caesar to his consolidation of power after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Through historical analysis, reenactments, and expert commentary, it reveals how Augustus balanced ruthless ambition with political genius, reshaping Roman governance, culture, and architecture. His reign ushered in the Pax Romana, a golden age of peace and prosperity, while establishing the model for imperial rule that defined Rome’s future. The episode portrays Augustus as both visionary statesman and shrewd strategist—the man who turned Rome’s chaos into empire.
4
Ayatollah Khomeini: Holy Terror
For most, the mention of the Ayatollah Khomeini conjures up haunting images of blindfolded hostages being led from the American Embassy in Tehran. But for those in Iran, Khomeini is a legend who lives on today in the continuing revolution of Islam. His image covers buildings and monuments, his fierce gaze perpetually watchful. Here is the story of Khomeiniís rise from dutiful student in the dusty hamlet of Khomein in Iran to one of the most ruthless leaders the twentieth century has ever known. A man of myth and uncertainty, even the date of his birth is unknown. But what is known is that as a 70-year old grandfather, Khomeini pulled off one of the most daring revolutions in history and succeeded in serving up a crushing blow to America. Examine the man whose name brings to mind a swell of hate to most in America but instills immeasurable pride, honor and national dignity to the people of Iran.
5
Caligula: Reign of Madness
His reign lasted only four years and he was dead at the age of 28. Yet, as the third emperor of the Roman empire, he remains one of the most notorious rulers in history. Best remembered for his bacchanalian lifestyle and callous, heavy-handed ruling style, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, or “Caligula,” as he was known, packed a lot into a very short life. In this incisive program, Biography goes beyond the legend to explore the anguished life of this infamous emperor. Discover how the first six months of Caligula’s rule were marked by a surprising degree of clemency and how a violent illness seemingly transformed him into the monster that history remembers today. Featuring interviews with leading scholars, Caligula: Reign of Madness is the ultimate profile of Rome’s most reviled ruler: the bizarre, bloodthirsty Caligula.
6
Charles Kuralt: A Life on the Road
His knack lay in finding the universal themes in "small" stories. His easygoing charm and unique approach to reporting made him one of journalism's most distinctive and beloved figures. Charles Kuralt carved out a unique place in broadcasting. Though he worked as a reporter for CBS News for 40 years, he was best known not for his news reportage but for his Sunday morning show On the Road. In this fond showcase of America, he celebrated the small stories and local heritage of the nation, and exposed the themes and beliefs that hold our vast country together. Biography goes on the road with the famed vagabond to tell his story. See clips from his long career which illustrate the easy presence and natural intelligence that made him unique. Colleagues like Walter Cronkite recall working with Kuralt and share favorite stories, while family members offer a warm glimpse of his private side. It's a touching tribute to one of the most distinctive and beloved TV personalities of his age.
7
Constantine: The Christian Emperor
Chronicle the life of Constantine the Great, the Roman ruler who forever changed the course of Western civilization by embracing Christianity. Born in 272 AD, Constantine rose through military ranks to become emperor after years of civil war. The program explores his pivotal victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, where legend says he saw a divine vision that led him to adopt the Christian faith. Through expert commentary and historical reenactments, the episode examines his founding of Constantinople, his role in the Council of Nicaea, and his efforts to unify the empire under one religion. Both visionary and pragmatic, Constantine emerges as a complex leader whose faith and ambition reshaped Rome—and laid the foundation for medieval Christendom.
8
David Copperfield: Master of Illusion
David Copperfield is widely regarded as one of the world’s most famous magicians. Through archival footage of his greatest televised performances and an in‑depth interview, the program traces Copperfield’s rise from a young stage performer to a two‑time “Entertainer of the Year.” Viewers see signature illusions that defined his career—grand spectacles that helped transform magic into mainstream entertainment. The episode highlights Copperfield’s showmanship, creative ambition, and the technical mastery behind his illusions, offering a revealing look at the magician whose work reshaped modern stage magic.
9
Diana: The People's Princess
Trace the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, from her emergence as a shy young woman entering the British royal family to her transformation into one of the most beloved public figures in the world. The program highlights how she brought warmth and openness to the monarchy, reshaping public perception through her compassion, humanitarian work, and ability to connect with people across all walks of life. It also explores her personal struggles behind the scenes, offering insight into the pressures she faced while living under intense global scrutiny. Through interviews, archival footage, and reflective commentary, the episode portrays Diana as a modern icon whose legacy endures through her sons and the lasting impact she made on millions.
10
Dow and Jones: Wizards of Wall Street
The fascinating story of the lives and partnership of Charles Dow and Edward Jones, whose combined talents produced the Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the most influential financial indicators in history. It traces Dow’s early ambitions as a journalist, his collaboration with Jones at the Providence Journal, and their founding of the Wall Street Journal in 1889. The program highlights Dow’s creation of the first stock index in 1896 and follows the evolution of the Dow through major economic events—from the rise of corporate giants and early market booms to the shocks of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the Panic of 1907, and the 1929 crash. Financial historians explain how their work shaped modern markets and why the Dow remains a central measure of economic confidence.
11
Dutch Schultz: Menace to Society
He was considered, even among gangsters, "totally evil." When his father abandoned the family, he quit school and began a life of crime to help his mother. He changed his name to Dutch Schultz from Arthur Flegenheimer while serving his first prison sentence. Here is the story of one of the nation's most ruthless and brutal criminals. He ended one argument by sticking his .45 automatic pistol into the mouth of a friend and pulling the trigger. He combined such merciless acts with a keen instinct for business to become the most feared and successful gangster of the Prohibition era. He lived the gangster version of the American dream--fast bucks, fast cars and fast women. Lucky Luciano is said to have arranged one of gangland's most infamous massacres, one that killed Schultz and his men. His death cleared the way for Luciano and other organized criminals to take over Shultz's various operations. Schultz goes down in crime history as the last truly independent Jewish gangster.
12
Edgar Cayce: The Sleeping Psychic
While appearing to sleep, he touched the lives of thousands and saw into the future. His remarkable gift made him the most famous spiritualist since Nostradamus. Edgar Cayce downplayed his apparently supernatural abilities, saying, "I don't do anything you can't do, if you're willing to pay the price." The price must have been high indeed, for he seemingly traveled through space and time with his mind alone. Biography profiles the life of the man known as "the sleeping psychic." See how he predicted both World Wars and the 1929 stock market crash, and diagnosed the illnesses of people sometimes thousands of miles away, all from a trance-like sleep. See how his prescriptions for the afflictions he diagnosed foreshadowed many of the staples of today's holistic and homeopathic cures. Spiritualists and cynics examine his gift and career, while contemporary accounts and interviews with those he helped cure testify to his astonishing abilities.
13
Edward R. Murrow: Voice of America
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Eliot Ness: Untouchable
15
Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen
16
Elizabeth: The Reluctant Monarch
17
Erwin Rommel: The Last Knight
18
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer
19
Frank Costello: Prime Minister of the Mob
20
General George C. Marshall: Soldier and Statesman
21
George Armstrong Custer: America's Golden Cavalier
22
Hadrian: Emperor of the Golden Age
23
Ivan the Terrible: Might and Madness
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J.C. Penney: Main Street Millionaire
25
JFK: A Personal Story
26
Jimmy Stewart: His Wonderful Life
27
Joseph Kennedy: Father of an American Dynasty
28
Julius Caesar: Master of the Roman World
29
Justinian: The Last of the Romans
30
Katharine Graham: Pillar of the Post
31
Leonardo Da Vinci: Renaissance Master
32
Lucrezia Borgia: Pretty Poison
33
Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Man and the Dream
34
Meyer Lansky: Mob Tycoon
35
Mother Teresa: A Life of Devotion
36
Nancy Reagan: The President's Leading Lady
37
Neiman Marcus: Last of the Merchant Kings
38
Nelson Rockefeller: Passionate Millionaire
39
Nero: The Power and the Madness
40
Pancho Villa: Outlaw Hero
41
R.H. Macy: Merchant Prince
42
Sam Giancana
43
Sam Walton: Bargain Billionaire
44
Samuel Bronfman: Whiskey Man
45
Sigmund Freud: Analysis of a Mind
46
Stanley & Livingstone: The Mercenary and the Missionary
47
The Gambinos: First Family of Crime
Trace the rise of the Gambino crime family, one of America’s most notorious organized‑crime dynasties. It begins with Carlo Gambino, born in Palermo and later a key figure in U.S. organized crime, who built his first fortune selling counterfeit ration stamps during World War II. The program follows the family’s evolution through Prohibition, its expansion into construction and labor racketeering, and the eventual decline of its financial empire. It also profiles Carlo’s successor Paul Castellano and the dramatic, high‑profile reign of John Gotti, whose flamboyant leadership reshaped the family’s public image. Through archival footage and historical analysis, the episode explores how the Gambinos became synonymous with American organized crime and why their legacy endures.
48
The Marshall Fields: A Chicago Tradition
49
The Woolworths: Five-and-Dime Fortune and Failure
50
Thurgood Marshall: Justice for All
51
Vladimir Lenin: Voice of the Revolution