In his lifetime, Thomas Merton was hailed as a prophet and censured for his outspoken social criticism. For nearly 27 years he was a monk of the austere Trappist order, where he became an eloquent spiritual writer and mystic as well as an anti-war advocate and witness to peace. Merton: A Film Biography provides the first comprehensive look at this remarkable 20th century religious philosopher who wrote, in addition to his immensely popular autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain, over 60 books on some of the most pressing social issues of our time, some of which are excerpted here. Merton offers an engaging profile of a man whose presence in the world touched millions of people and whose words and thoughts continue to have a profound impact and relevance today.

A wannabe film star journeys to Hollywood, but soon finds his dreams do not pan out.

More than 150 of Britain’s railway stations are request stops. You have to put out your arm to get the train to stop at the platform. In this series, Paul Merton will travel around the country by train, only getting off at request stops. He’ll explore the history of the stations, and meet the people who live and work around them to learn more about at these unusual and often-overlooked stations.

A live set from Alice Merton and her band in August 2019 at Paris' Rock en Seine festival, including hits "No Roots", "Hit The Ground Running" and "Lash Out".

Paul Merton looks at the British films of Alfred Hitchcock, the silent films and the early sound films.

The show with the sardonic wit for which Merton is famous. Plus his hilarious salute to the ice skaters Torvill and Dean, and a comic version of the pantomime Aladdin, as never seen before. Featuring Lee Simpson and Richard Vranch.

This documentary focuses on the journey of Merton, a bohemian who went from communism to Catholicism before finding his calling as a monk cloistered in eastern Kentucky for 27 years. It also covers his writing career which examined spirituality, the Cold War, the civil rights movement and being an individual in a post-modern world

British comedian Paul Merton keeps his comically-critical attitude while tasting some popular holiday types that never appealed to him, unlike millions of Britons. They range from cruises and 'extreme' holidays overseas (Ibiza, Florida) to English coastal resorts and adventurous Scotland.

Life-long aficionado Paul Merton hosts the definitive celebration of the greatest British comedy duo ever in this hour-long festive feast honouring the magic and genius of Morecambe and Wise. Combining nostalgic tributes from their comedic peers with contemporary comment from performers who still feel their influence today, Paul Merton guides us through the remarkable life and times of Eric and Ernie. Replete with unrivalled access to the archive of classic Morecambe and Wise moments, the show revisits the legendary stars and sketches that became required viewing for millions of families and without which no Christmas would have been complete.

Paul Merton's Birth of Hollywood is a 2011 BBC documentary series written, directed and presented by Paul Merton. The three-part series traces the rise of the American film-making industry in Hollywood through from the early years of film-making to the foundation of the major motion-picture studios and the new class of the film star.

Documentary in which the comedian explores how legendary comics became successful, often against the odds, and what inspired their greatest characters and memorable moments.

Paul Merton goes in search of the origins of screen comedy in the forgotten world of silent cinema - not in Hollywood, but closer to home in pre-1914 Britain and France. Revealing the unknown stars and lost masterpieces, he brings to life the pioneering techniques and optical inventiveness of the virtuosos who mastered a new art form. With a playful eye and comic sense of timing, Merton combines the role of presenter and director to recreate the weird and wonderful world that is early European cinema in a series of cinematic experiments of his own.