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VE Day: Remembering Victory

On 8 May 1945, Churchill announced that war in Europe was over. Seventy-five years on, some of Britain鈥檚 best-loved entertainers recall the jubilation of that day.

On the 8th May 1945, Churchill broadcast the long-awaited announcement that the war in Europe was over. Seventy-five years on, some of Britain鈥檚 best-loved entertainers and broadcasters recall the jubilation of that unforgettable day. To celebrate, Britain threw the biggest street party the country had ever seen. The extraordinary archive of celebrations all over Britain helps bring back the memories.

Britain's celebrities - including Patrick Stewart, Anne Reid, Miriam Margolyes, Leslie Phillips and Dame Cleo Laine - share their memories of the tea parties, bonfires, joyful tears and dancing in the streets. The programme also includes interviews with Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame June Whitfield, Honor Blackman, and Kenny Lynch who have died since the programme was first shown. After the heady days of celebration, it was back to the realities of food rationing and troops slowly returning home at last, with the nation gradually getting back on its feet. The gloom of austerity was replaced a new era of optimism and prosperity. This is the story of the Victory Generation.

Interviewees: Sir David Attenborough, Johnny Ball, Honor Blackman, Jilly Cooper CBE, John Craven OBE, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame Cleo Laine, Kenny Lynch OBE, Miriam Margolyes OBE, Sir Michael Parkinson, Leslie Phillips CBE, Anne Reid MBE, Dame Esther Rantzen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Una Stubbs, Dame June Whitfield.

48 minutes

Last on

Fri 8 May 2020 21:10
主播大秀 One

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The People鈥檚 Celebration

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VE Day 75: The Nation Remembers

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    John Snagge

    Announcement of German Surrender

  • 00:02

    脫lafur Arnalds

    Tunglio

  • 00:04

    脫lafur Arnalds

    Pu Ert Joroin

  • 00:04

    Jon Hopkins

    Small Memory

  • 00:05

    Flanagan and Allen

    Run, Rabbit, Run

  • 00:06

    Harry Leader

    Goodnight Wherever You Are

  • 00:08

    Jack Hylton and His Orchestra, Jack Hylton

    Painting The Clouds With Sunshine

  • 00:09

    Illinois Jacquet, Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra

    Flying 主播大秀

  • 00:10

    Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

    Ration Blues

  • 00:12

    Sir Winston Churchill, Vera Lynn

    Wartime Speeches - (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover

  • 00:14

    Jack Buchanan

    Everything Stops For Tea

  • 00:15

    Art Tatum

    Tea For Two

  • 00:16

    Jon Hopkins

    Vessel

    Remix Artist: Four Tet.
  • 00:16

    Bud Flanagan & The Band of the Coldstream Guards

    Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler?

  • 00:21

    Vera Lynn

    When They Sound The Last 'All Clear'

  • 00:23

    Kitty Kallen & Harry James

    I'm Beginning to See the Light

  • 00:25

    Flanagan And Allen With Jay Wilbur And His Band

    Down Forget-Me-Not Lane

  • 00:26

    Alfred Piccaver

    There'll Always Be An England

  • 00:28

    Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

    Opus One (1991 Remastered)

  • 00:31

    Carroll Gibbons With The Savoy Hotel Orpheans

    I'm Going To Get Lit Up When The Lights Go Up In London

  • 00:32

    Vera Lynn

    There's a Land of Begin Again

  • 00:34

    Jon Hopkins

    Searchlight

  • 00:38

    Sviatoslav Richter

    The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude and Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, Bwv 869

  • 00:40

    Jack Hylton & His Orchestra

    Blue Skies Are Around The Corner

  • 00:47

    Louis Armstrong

    A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Credits

Narrator Julie Walters
Producer Mary Cranitch
Executive Producer Chris Granlund

Broadcast

Featured in...

  • VE Day 75

    A collection of programmes celebrating the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.