Cool stuff on the radio
- Thread starter PinkFinal
- Start date
Two decades ago Da Vinci Code mania gripped the world.
But the story behind the theory that Jesus Christ had a secret bloodline is more surprising than any thriller.
Step aside Indiana Jones and Robert Langdon - BBC Paris Correspondent Hugh Schofield heads to the South of France to uncover a forgotten milestone of broadcasting which helped set the template for the modern conspiracy theory.
The Lost Treasure of Jerusalem was a 1972 episode of the BBC history series Chronicle. It sets out the unusual local mystery of Rennes-le-Château - and the charismatic parish priest who somehow funded a major church renovation. What treasure had he uncovered?
Written by and featuring the actor-turned writer Henry Lincoln, the programme was a phenomenon. The idea that the church was decorated with symbols and clues hinting at the origin of the unexplained wealth gripped viewers and led to two follow-up programmes.
But Lincoln's research for the programmes became the keystone of the book The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail - popularising theories of Christ's marriage which went stratospheric with the 2003 release of The Da Vinci Code.
Intrepid Hugh reveals the forgotten global impact of the Chronicle series - speaking to The Damned drummer Rat Scabies who had a surprising ringside seat for much of the drama, and to Dame Marina Warner who was the star of a thrilling encounter with the three authors whose book was about to become a global best-seller.
We hear how this forgotten series popularised a spurious new approach to historical research and facts - one that reverberates through conspiracy theories today.
www.bbc.co.uk
But the story behind the theory that Jesus Christ had a secret bloodline is more surprising than any thriller.
Step aside Indiana Jones and Robert Langdon - BBC Paris Correspondent Hugh Schofield heads to the South of France to uncover a forgotten milestone of broadcasting which helped set the template for the modern conspiracy theory.
The Lost Treasure of Jerusalem was a 1972 episode of the BBC history series Chronicle. It sets out the unusual local mystery of Rennes-le-Château - and the charismatic parish priest who somehow funded a major church renovation. What treasure had he uncovered?
Written by and featuring the actor-turned writer Henry Lincoln, the programme was a phenomenon. The idea that the church was decorated with symbols and clues hinting at the origin of the unexplained wealth gripped viewers and led to two follow-up programmes.
But Lincoln's research for the programmes became the keystone of the book The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail - popularising theories of Christ's marriage which went stratospheric with the 2003 release of The Da Vinci Code.
Intrepid Hugh reveals the forgotten global impact of the Chronicle series - speaking to The Damned drummer Rat Scabies who had a surprising ringside seat for much of the drama, and to Dame Marina Warner who was the star of a thrilling encounter with the three authors whose book was about to become a global best-seller.
We hear how this forgotten series popularised a spurious new approach to historical research and facts - one that reverberates through conspiracy theories today.
BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, The Holy Blood
The unexpected origins of a global conspiracy theory... in the vaults of the BBC.
Blumooniac
Well-Known Member
Very late to the party but just discovered Ed Reardon's Week on Radio 4. Brilliant.
blue b4 the moon
Well-Known Member
I'll give that a go in the morning.
BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Graham Nash, musician
Graham Nash, musician, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren laverne.