Watch Every Picture Tells a Story

Every Picture Tells a Story is a fascinating television show that explores the hidden stories and secrets behind some of the world's most iconic photographs. Produced by Acorn Media, this documentary series comprises of six episodes that each delves into a distinct photograph that played a significant role in history. The show's host, Joan Bakewell, takes viewers on a journey that uncovers the untold narratives behind these images, revealing the historical context and personal stories that make them so compelling.

The first episode of Every Picture Tells a Story examines a famous photograph of Winston Churchill, taken during World War II. Bakewell peels back the layers of history to reveal the fascinating story about the man who took the photograph, and how the image was so carefully crafted to convey Churchill's leadership and stoicism during a pivotal moment in British history. Episode two explores an iconic photograph of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road. Bakewell investigates the backstory of the photograph, which was taken just a few weeks before the band broke up, and examines the story of the photographer who captured the image, revealing the hidden details that make the photograph so special.

Episode three of Every Picture Tells a Story is the tale of a famous photograph of Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate. Bakewell connects the audience to the moment and tells the story of the Hollywood icon, her career, and her tragic life. Episode four takes a deep dive into a striking photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. The program explores the significance of the photograph, and how it became a symbol of the civil rights movement - one of the most important movements in American history.

The fifth episode of Every Picture Tells a Story examines the story behind one of the most famous photographs ever taken: Neil Armstrong standing on the moon in 1969. Bakewell traces the backstory of Armstrong's journey, from his childhood to his historic moon landing, and examines how this iconic photograph captured the world's imagination. Finally, the show ends its six-episode run with a story about a photograph of Joseph Stalin's son, Yakov, taken after he was captured during World War II. Episode six explores the complexities and darkness of Stalin's regime whilst also telling the heartbreaking, human story of Yakov and his family, and shows how this photograph contributed to the larger narrative of Stalin's dictatorship.

Every Picture Tells a Story is a masterful production that blends storytelling, history, and photography to create a riveting viewing experience. The show's host, Joan Bakewell, is a natural presenter and shares insightful commentary that enhances the program's substance. In each episode, she manages to balance the factual detail of the photograph with the often emotional or thought-provoking stories behind it.

The show is more than just a recounting of the background to each photograph. It's also an exploration of the power of images to tell stories, to transcend language and culture, to serve as a window into a specific moment in time, and to shape how we see ourselves and the world. The photographs in Every Picture Tells a Story offer profundity, comic relief and unknown angles, and the stories that surround them are deeply moving and enlightening.

Overall, Every Picture Tells a Story is an exceptional series that will appeal to anyone with a love of history, photography or storytelling. Acorn Media has crafted a unique and compelling show that deserves to be praised not only for its production value and its storytelling, but also for the way it has made us look again at the images that have come to define our world. It is a timely reminder of the power of images - and the stories hidden behind them - to shape who we are, how we perceive ourselves and the world around us.