Evangelical extremism is explored in two of this weeks top documentaries, focusing on the use of child preachers and the taking of end-of-the-world holiday tours.
Other highlights are an investigation of South African politics post-Mandela, a recollection of the Reagan and Gorbachev nuclear disarmament summit of 1985 and a fascinating analysis of the period in the Second World War when the Nazis ruled Rome.
Monday 11 February - 8.30 - 9pm - BBC1 - Panorama - No More Mandelas
Fergal Keane journeys to South Africa to investigate whether the optimism of the Mandela years remains justified in a country where Aids is widespread and murder commonplace. Included in this edition is an interview with Jacob Zuma, the new President of the ANC, who faces charges of corruption.
Wednesday 13 February - 9 - 10pm - BBC4 - Summits - 3/3
In this final analysis of the development of modern summitry, David Reynolds recalls US President Ronald Reagan's first meeting with Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev at Lake Geneva in 1985. The topic was nuclear disarmament and Reynolds once more peppers his account of events with the small personal details that had a significant effect on the proceedings and outcome.
Wednesday 13 February - 9.50 - 10.30pm - BBC2 - Wonderland: The End of the World Bus Tour
Film-maker David Clews here provides a compelling portrait of the unique ten-day coach tour of Israel provided by a somewhat specialist travel representative. Participants are those who believe that the Apocalypse is only a few years away and want to see Armageddon and the rest of the Holy Land before the inevitable. Louis Theroux tactics are employed to good use in a bid to encourage the holiday-makers to open up about their beliefs; one teenager, for example, calmly explains how we are all born with evil in our hearts and how, when Clews dies, he'll burn in hell for eternity.
Pick of the Week :rb:
Thursday 14 February - 9 - 10pm - Channel 4 - Baby Bible Bashers
This documentary, part of the Cutting Edge series, tells the story of the lives of three child evangelical preachers, particularly focussing on seven year old Samuel. Samuel was told at the age of three that he would be going to hell if he didn't behave. The cameras follow Samuel and his parents as they leave their home in Mississippi, where Samuel is in big demand in local churches, to New York to preach to the unconverted. In front of an audience of cynical New Yorkers, they are greeted with an unprecedented level of hostility and the child ends up in tears as his ranting father and the furious crowd confront each other in front of him.
Friday 15 February - 7.35pm - Channel 4 - Unreported World - 2/10 - USA - The Devil's Highway
Aidan Hartley reports on the stark reality facing Mexicans who try to cross over the border into the USA. He visits the Sonoran desert where tens of thousands of migrants risk death to cross into the USA each year. He meets some of the parents willing to leave beloved children behind in a desperate bid to improve their chances of earning money to send home to prevent starvation. He also meets some of the so-called vigilantes who patrol the region who are obsessed with the migrants posing some sort of terrorist threat.
Friday 15 February - 9 - 10pm - History Channel - The Unholy Battle for Rome
This documentary tells the story of the fight for control of the Eternal City during the Second World War. The Nazis ruled Rome for ten months and the controversy surrounding Pope Pius XII is explored here and facts set out and a verdict offered on the so-called "Saint of Silence". The story of the Ardeatine Caves massacre is also told; over 300 Italians were slaughtered in reprisal for the killing of 33 Germans. Archive footage and detailed evidence, including from a US agent in occupied Rome, combined with clear analysis provide for a well-rounded and incisive dissection of an aspect of the War seldom publicly discussed.
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