Notorious religious satire from the Monty Python team which was banned in 17 countries on release. Set during Biblical times, the film tells the story of Brian (Graham Chapman), an accidental messiah whose life runs in eerie parallel to that of Jesus Christ. His misadventures come to the attention of Pilate (Michael Palin), crucifixion inevitably follows, and the film ends with the infamous group rendition of the song 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'.

Double bill of BBC espionage drama mini-series based on the novels by John Le Carré and starring Alec Guinness as master spy George Smiley. In 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' (1979), Smiley has been in 'retirement' for some time, some say owing to his mishandling of the Czech scandal. However, the retiring superspy finds himself summoned back to the 'Circus' (British secret service) when it transpires that an enemy infiltrator is at work in the department. Smiley returns once again to his old department in 'Smiley's People' (1982) following the murder of his friend, General Vladimir, a Russian who once worked for British Intelligence. When it transpires that Vladimir was in fact a double agent, Smiley becomes engaged in a battle of wills with his old adversaries at the Moscow Centre.

An alien pod discovered in the Antarctic takes over one of the scientists who found it. The Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah arrive too late; the scientist has already become a Krynoid, a carnivorous alien plant life. Although they manage to destroy the first Krynoid, a second pod is obtained by plant fanaticist Harrison Chase, who intends to nurture the creature to his own ends. The Doctor calls in UNIT to stop Chase before the Krynoid grows and destroys all animal life on the Earth.

Epic adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic novel. During World War Two, Charles Rider (Jeremy Irons) is stationed at the now deserted stately home, Brideshead Manor, formerly the residence of the Flyte family. He recalls how, as a Cambridge undergraduate, he first visited Brideshead after befriending Lord Sebastian Flyte (Anthony Andrews). Charles then became caught up with the Flytes and their problems, most notably Sebastian's burgeoning alcoholism.

Superspy George Smiley (Alec Guinness) has for some time been in 'retirement' - some say due to his mishandling of the Czech scandal. However, the retiring masterspy finds himself summoned back to the 'Circus' (British secret service) when it transpires that an enemy infiltrator is at work in the department.

Lawrence Gordon Clark directs this triple bill of BBC adaptations of the ghost stories by M.R. James. In 'Lost Hearts' (1973) young orphan Stephen (Simon Gipps-Kent) goes to stay at the generous Mr. Abney (Joseph O'Connor)'s estate where he is haunted by two children who previously lived in the house. It turns out the children have come to warn Stephen that Abney is not all that he seems. In 'The Ash Tree' (1975) Sir Richard Fell (Edward Petherbridge) inherits his uncle's manor and grounds. He moves in and decides to cut down an ash tree that could prove harmful to the property but before he gets the chance he begins to hear strange sounds and sees supernatural figures coming from the tree... In 'The Treasure of Abbot Thomas' (1974) cynical Reverend Somerton (Michael Bryant) is completely close-minded when it comes to paranormal activity. His steadfast beliefs falter, however, when his and Lord Peter Dattering (Paul Lavers)'s search for the treasure of alchemist Abbot Thomas (John Herrington) unleashes a terrifying spectre.

In 1714 Parliament offer a £20,000 prize for anyone who can provide an accurate means of measuring longitude at sea. John Harrison (Michael Gambon) flies in the face of popular opinion by saying that the stars do not provide the answer, and provides his own solution with the invention of a mechanical clock. However, it takes Harrison forty years to prove his theory, and he is eventually forgotten in the mists of time. Centuries later, Robert Gould (Jeremy Irons) attempts to restore Harrison's reputation by tracking down and repairing the four clocks he originally constructed.

Submerge yourself in classic BBC Dickens dramatisations that, like the great novelist's work, have stood the test of time.

The majesty of Charles Dickens' storytelling is captured in this DVD boxset that brings together BBC dramatisations of eight of the acclaimed author's classic novels. From the touching 1985 dramatisation of the semi-autobiographical Oliver Twist to the moving A Christmas Carol that sidesteps mawkish sentimentality and instead, offers viewers an affecting and sincere drama, each TV adaptation will delight fans of the author – and win over a generation of new ones.

Starring a wealth of celebrated actors including Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, John Mills and many more, the Charles Dickens Collection celebrates the author's work with authentic and beautifully-played mini TV-series from a broadcaster that is world-renowned for its adaptations.

In chronological order, the adaptations featured in this set are:

• A Christmas Carol (1977)
• A Tale of Two Cities (1980)
• The Pickwick Papers (1985)
• Oliver Twist (1985)
• Martin Chuzzlewit (1994)
• Our Mutual Friend (1998)
• David Copperfield (1999)
• Great Expectations (1999)