Episode 1

Professor Anderson attends a conference in Prague, but what he really wants to do is attend a football match. Then he meets a former student unexpectedly, and must consider putting his philosophical ideas into practice.

Episode 2

In the 1920s, Michael Arlen was one of the most popular and acclaimed writers in the world, but he mysteriously stopped writing altogether. His son tries to work out why.

Episode 3

A once-celebrated writer who has written nothing since the war, lies paralysed and dying as his family gathers at the family home.

Episode 4

A dramatisation of events surrounding the loss of the turret ship HMS Victoria during fleet exercises off Tripoli on 22 June 1893.

Episode 5

A biopic of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose opposition to Adolf Hitler led to his involvement in an assassination plot.

Episode 6

Czechoslovakia, April 1945. A chance meeting between a professor and his former student turns into a violent trial of strength.

Episode 7

A busy day in the kitchen of a great hotel.

Episode 8

Graeme Warrack was Divisional Chief Doctor of the 1st Airborne Division at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. With other doctors, medical personnel and padres, he stayed behind with the wounded.

Episode 9

A man seeks the perfect relationship.

Episode 10

Arthur Dodsworth has recently retired. He lives alone except for his budgie and memories of his late wife Winnie. One afternoon his nap is interrupted by the doorbell; his former secretary, Peggy Prothero, has come to visit.

Episode 11

Satire set at the Department of Something or Other, where mistakes in form-filling can bring careers to a sudden end.

Episode 12

Moscow is the setting for a reunion between Viktor and Susan which brings about unforeseen complications.

Episode 13

Marcus Fleischman's reincarnation proves a frustrating one. His widow, in his absence, leads the simple life of a shopkeeper, and brings up their son as best she can.

Episode 14

A former teacher takes on the system armed only with pen, paper and stamps.

Episode 15

Married life starts off full of bright hopes for Alex and Lynda, but soon they are trapped in a nightmare with their friend Bill.

Episode 16

A disparate group of guests find themselves locked into a largely empty television studio controlled by an anonymous man.

Episode 17

France, 1924. Two English gentlemen join forces to investigate notorious villainess Vanity Fair in her fortified chateau. Tongue-in-cheek 1978 TV film based on the novel by Dornford Yates.

Episode 18

In the 23rd century, Albion (formerly Britain) is made up of two distinct communities — the Aggros (farm workers) and the Toonies (industrial workers). They meet at Zummerdown for the annual midsummer festival of Stargazy.

Episode 19

Lavretsky returns to Russia from Europe and joins the group of admirers of his beautiful young cousin Liza.

Episode 20

Some young women, sharing accommodation, invite their boyfriends for tea on Sunday. But one of them proves to be alarmingly disturbed.

Episode 21

In 19th-century Eastern Europe, a group of actors, led by Janos, arrive at a castle to give the Count and his friends a private performance. But the actors are also revolutionaries, and they have another agenda.

Episode 22

An unexpected stranger arrives at the old peoples home in Norway where a famous writer is kept in confinement after the war. A young partisan plots his assassination, while others advocate handing him over for trial for collaboration.

Episode 23

A fateful day in the life of a celebrated composer.