Tertiary Catalogue

Man on the Bus is the true story of Martha, a Polish survivor of the Holocaust, who led a double life in Australia and her daughter Eve, a psychologist and filmmaker, who discovered the truth. The film follows Eve finding clues – in old recordings, a street directory and in Martha’s home movies, a mystery man is seen gazing into the lens. Eve’s investigation leads her to the Sobieski Castle in the Ukraine, the site of a massacre in which her maternal grandmother died. After her husband was executed, Martha was forced into hiding. Eve also traces her father’s amazing and heroic escape from a concentration camp. In Melbourne, Eve’s parents rebuild their shattered lives. However, their quest for normality is disrupted by a chance encounter on a bus that changes everything. Man on the Bus becomes a compelling tale of two defining human traits—endurance and frailty—and a metaphor for the 20th century’s most painful trauma. Show Less

The First World War was fought on a scale never seen before. This video investigates the many and complex causes of this global conflict. Pupils will learn about the system of alliances that contributed to the powder keg that was Europe in 1914, as well as the spark that ignited the Great War that would embroil nations around the globe. Show Less

This programme considers the aftermath of the Holocaust immediately following the war, when the full extent of its evil finally came to light. The plight of European Jews continued into the post-war period, with most unable to return to their homes and facing long and, at times, fruitless journeys to seek refuge overseas. Students will also learn how the pressure for a Jewish state intensified during this time, culminating in the formation of Israel. Show Less

Exploring the rise of anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany and the spread of Nazi control across Europe, this programme looks at how and why the Jewish people went from being distrusted and blamed for Germany’s ills, to being violently vilified through events such as Kristallnacht, to finally being rounded up for mass extermination. Intended for viewing by audiences from middle secondary and older, this background to the Holocaust will help students to contextualise one of the worst atrocities in human history. Show Less

The Holocaust was carried out at such a scale that the world took time to come to grips with the enormity of it. But, incomprehensibly, the Holocaust was not the last atrocity of its nature to be committed. Concluding the series, this programme outlines more recent attempts at genocide and takes students through the significance of coping with and commemorating the Holocaust many decades on, and long into the future. Show Less

How much did the Allies know of the horrors being committed against European Jews at the hands of the German Nazis, and were they in a position to act against them as they were occurring? This programme considers this unsettling question before exploring the Allied response after the war, when the full and harrowing extent of the Holocaust was revealed. A close examination of the Nuremburg Trials provides students with insight into the considered legal process of Nazi retribution. Show Less

With grand visions for a stable, peaceful empire, Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a wall in his name spanning the width of northern Britainnia, demarcating the north-west frontier of the Roman empire. As this video explores, Hadrian's wall was mighty in proportion, not only as a defensive structure, but also as a physical reminder of the Roman empire's strength and power. Diagrams and purposeful narration make this a valuable resource for students of senior Classical Studies and History courses. Show Less

The City Dionysia was a religious festival and celebration of Athenian culture and its pinnacle event, a competition of the dramatic arts, was held at the Theatre of Dionysus, birthplace of Greek tragedy. Seating 15,000, including dignitaries from afar, the theatre staged plays which payed homage to Greek history and mythology and provided often outspoken commentary on politics and justice. An ideal resource for students in senior Classical Studies and History courses, this video explores the cultural significance of Athenian theatre and how it spread across the Greek world. Show Less

Athenian art and culture flourished under the leadership of Pericles, who wanted to create a society that history would remember. The Parthenon serves as one of the civilisation's most remarkable structures and evidence that Pericle's wish for a lasting Athenian legacy came true. Using primary and secondary sources, this video will help students in senior Classical Studies and History courses to understand why and how the Parthenon was constructed, the intricacies of its sculptures which are indicative of Athenian style, and its enduring significance. Show Less

Built to seat over 250,000 spectators, Circus Maximus was referred to by one Greek historian as "one of the most beautiful and admirable structures in Rome." The chariot racing that took place there was the epitome of Roman entertainment but, as this video explores, also served to distract the Roman public from important matters of civic life, placating them with the spectatcle. Using primary and secondary source materials, this video is an ideal accompaniment to senior Classical Studies and Ancient History courses. Show Less

When Mao Zedong announced China’s second five-year plan, the Great Leap Forward, in 1958, it promised a Communist utopia based on collectivisation of agricultural property and production, and industrialisation where everyday citizens produced steel. But, as this video reveals, it spawned a catastrophic, widespread famine. The Party had to change tack, and Mao’s influence waned, but for how long…? Show Less

Like other dictators, Mao Zedong exploited his own personality cult. This video examines the grip he had on China’s population during the fear and hysteria of the Cultural Revolution. Citizens carried copies of his ‘Little Red Book’, attended study classes on Mao Zedong Thought and acquired vast quantities of Mao merchandise that glorified their leader. Ironically, religion was outlawed and replaced by the godlike adoration of Chairman Mao. Show Less

China’s economy improved in the early 1960s, but Chairman Mao didn’t like what he saw – an emerging market economy and privileged ruling class. This video looks at the Red Guard – created when Mao mobilised China’s youth to lead a cultural revolution by fanatically attacking the Four Olds – old ideas, culture, customs and habits – and brutally reinforcing a purer Communist ideology by whatever means it took. Show Less

During the third century BCE, two bastions of the civilised world - Carthage and Rome - fought for supremacy. This clip examines the Second Punic War - the roles played by significant figures including Hannibal, Publius, Fabius and Scipio, different tactics that were employed and the key events that led to Rome's ultimate victory. It is an excellent resource for upper secondary level students of Ancient History. Show Less

Well-structured mobile fighting forces, along with widespread social reform, ensured Rome's domination as a centre of political and military might. This clip explores the post-Second Punic War period, changes instigated by Gaius Marius, Julius Caesar's influence and how the military continued to change under the first Emperor Augustus and his successor Tiberius. It is an ideal learning resource for upper secondary level students of Ancient History. Show Less

Mussolini in Italy, Stalin in Russia, Franco in Spain, Tōjō in Japan and Hitler in Germany – all presided over harsh, brutal regimes. Ideologies differed, but their methods of enforcing and maintaining power were similar. This programme studies the rise, decline, and legacy of Hitler after World War I. It is an ideal resource for students of modern European history and politics. Show Less

Britain experienced unprecedented social and economic change during this period. This clip explores the rise in crimes such as smuggling and highway robbery as cities grew and trade flourished, the liberal use of the death penalty, and how attitudes to law enforcement and punishment changed from the early 1800s as rapid industrialisation and urbanisation continued, and police forces came into existence. Show Less

Mussolini in Italy, Stalin in Russia, Franco in Spain, Tōjō in Japan and Hitler in Germany – all presided over harsh, brutal regimes. Ideologies differed, but their methods of enforcing and maintaining power were similar. This programme studies the rise, decline, and legacy of Tōjō after World War I. It is an ideal resource for students of modern European history and politics. Show Less

From 1900 to 1950 crime decreased from its peak in the mid-1800s, assisted by improvements in detection techniques like police forensics. But after 1950, it escalated again with the trade in drugs and other contraband crossing global borders, political violence, terrorism, and cybercrime all flourishing. This clip looks at how changes over the last century have been reflected in British crime, law enforcement, and punishment. Show Less

Rates of reported crime in Britain increased during the 1500s and early 1600s, as the gap between the wealthy few and the poor masses grew. This clip looks at the rise of petty and more serious crime in this 200-year period; parish constables, sergeants, and other law enforcers; as well as the courts and the range of often cruel and severe punishments they imposed, including capital punishment. Show Less

Mussolini in Italy, Stalin in Russia, Franco in Spain, Tōjō in Japan and Hitler in Germany – all presided over harsh, brutal regimes. Ideologies differed, but their methods of enforcing and maintaining power were similar. This programme studies the rise, decline, and legacy of Mussolini after World War I. It is an ideal resource for students of modern European history and politics. Show Less

Mussolini in Italy, Stalin in Russia, Franco in Spain, Tōjō in Japan and Hitler in Germany – all presided over harsh, brutal regimes. Ideologies differed, but their methods of enforcing and maintaining power were similar. This programme studies the rise, decline, and legacy of Franco after World War I. It is an ideal resource for students of modern European history and politics. Show Less

Mussolini in Italy, Stalin in Russia, Franco in Spain, Tōjō in Japan and Hitler in Germany – all presided over harsh, brutal regimes. Ideologies differed, but their methods of enforcing and maintaining power were similar. This programme studies the rise, decline, and legacy of Stalin after World War I. It is an ideal resource for students of modern European history and politics. Show Less

Why were the years between the two world wars marked by some of the most brutal and politically radical dictatorships in European history? This programme examines the economic, political, and social climate in the aftermath of World War I, which gave rise to a number of dictatorships. It is an excellent resource for students of modern European history and politics. Show Less

Imagine eating just bread, oat porridge and vegetable stew…or trying to impress your rich friends with a dinner of peacock. Daily life was very different for the poor peasants of medieval society, compared to their rich Lords. However, both the rich and poor alike suffered rickets, scurvy and bad teeth, and it wasn’t uncommon for a peasant to bath just once a year! Show Less