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The Best Episodes of 40 Minutes

Every episode of 40 Minutes ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of 40 Minutes!

The Best Episodes of 40 Minutes

40 Minutes was a BBC TV documentary strand broadcast on BBC Two between 1981 and 1994. The documentaries could be on any possible subject, the...
  1. Background image for Adventures in the Skin Trade
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #1 - Adventures in the Skin Trade

    S9:E16

    John Pitman meets a selection of women to ascertain their views on the wearing of coats made of fur.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for The Heart of the Angel
    8.2/10(54 votes)

    #2 - The Heart of the Angel

    S9:E6

    This film documents one day in the life of Angel station on the Northern Line of the London Underground in the days before its refurbishment. We see the ticket collectors, station manager and other staff as they cope with angry passengers, lift failures and cancelled trains.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Rough Justice
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #3 - Rough Justice

    S1:E1

    Portrait of a fractious Welsh village near Merthyr Tydfil.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Johnny Oddball
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Johnny Oddball

    S5:E4

    10 years ago a famous documentary was made by Franc Roddam about "Mini" Cooper, a most attractive and intelligent child arsonist. Now released from a secure psychiatric institution, he hopes to make a career as a magician.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for The Fishing Party
    7.1/10(7 votes)

    #5 - The Fishing Party

    S5:E19

    They are four friends, rich young men - city commodity-brokers, the drinks trade. They belong to the right clubs. They hunt, shoot, play polo, make money. They had the idea of going fishing in Scotland for a few days in the autumn, to see if they could break the world record for a catch of skate. They ended up with something else. As the October weather squalls and shines, as the boat rolls on the stormy waters of the Pentland Firth, as the days pass without the big bite, so the jokes flow, the bottles are cracked, and Robert, John, Henry and Guy reveal their spirited, outspoken opinions. "Better for some to have privilege rather than nobody - let's lead from the top, not the bottom ... Many of our friends, in the City and the army, worry about the aggressive young men of the loony left...."

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Danger Men
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #6 - Danger Men

    S9:E1

    Ten of the most dangerous and disruptive men in the prison system have been brought together in an experimental unit at Hull Jail. A new softly-softly regime is being tested on inmates like Fred Low, who is serving three life sentences - one for killing a fellow prisoner - and Patrick Mackay, serving five life sentences for manslaughter and robbery. 40 Minutes gained access to the unit as the prisoners started to reveal themselves to the hand-picked staff, and as conflicts began. The most serious clash was over the only woman working full time in the unit, and it involved David McAllister, serving 19 years for armed robbery and assault, who later escaped from the unit and was on the run for five days. This film tells the story of the most controversial unit in our prisons.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of 40 Minutes

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  8. Background image for The Outcasts
    6.4/10(14 votes)

    #7 - The Outcasts

    S4:E13

    A group of 'Hell's Angels' in East Anglia.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Sister Genevieve
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Sister Genevieve

    S1:E2

    Portrait of a Comprehensive School in the heart of the Falls Road, Belfast.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Hijack
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    #9 - Hijack

    S1:E3

    Story of a Hijack on Independence Day 1977 in New York.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Give Us the Vote
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    #10 - Give Us the Vote

    S1:E4

    Test case for inmates of mental hospital to get the vote.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Lol: A Bona Queen of Fabularity
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    #11 - Lol: A Bona Queen of Fabularity

    S1:E5

    Life style of Quentin Crisp-esque 'Queen'.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Marathon Man
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Marathon Man

    S1:E6

    Attempt to beat record run from John o' Groats to Land's End.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Rocky Circus
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Rocky Circus

    S1:E7

    Gary Glitter stars in Gerry Cottle's Circus.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Gorilla G Gorilla
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Gorilla G Gorilla

    S1:E8

    Gorilla N'Pongo gives birth to Kumi in Jersey Zoo.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for The Harrisons Don't Go to School
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    #15 - The Harrisons Don't Go to School

    S1:E9

    Hereford family educating children at home.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Alison
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Alison

    S1:E10

    Spastic girl's struggle to live a normal life.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Sex, Drugs and the Vicar
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Sex, Drugs and the Vicar

    S1:E11

    Backstage at the News of the World.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Children's Parties
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    #18 - Children's Parties

    S1:E12

    An anthology of various children's parties.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for The Great Cover-up
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #19 - The Great Cover-up

    S1:E13

    The bald facts revealed: What men will do to counter hair loss.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Brighton or Bust
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Brighton or Bust

    S1:E14

    The London to Brighton vintage car rally.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for The Last Resort
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    #21 - The Last Resort

    S1:E15

    Glenthorne high security prison for youngsters.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for The George Formby Story
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The George Formby Story

    S1:E16

    Biopic of renowned comedian and ukulelist.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Burgled
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Burgled

    S1:E17

    Burglary - Britain's fastest growing industry.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Bomber and Brendan
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Bomber and Brendan

    S1:E18

    Sheffield's Herol 'Bomber' Graham and Brendan Ingle his trainer in bid for boxing glory.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Mutiny
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    #25 - Mutiny

    S1:E19

    1943 Mutiny of British soldiers in Salerno.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Adventures in the Skin Trade" is the best rated episode of "40 Minutes". It scored 8.8/10 based on 5 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/22/1990. This episode scored 0.6 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Heart of the Angel".