Walter Murch picks Mohammad Mossadegh, prime minister following the nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian oil company in 1951. Mossadegh was ousted in a coup in 1953.
Murch became fascinated in Mossadegh's life while working on a Sam Mendes film about the first Iraq War. Walter Murch is an editor best known for Apocalypse Now, The Godfather and The Constant Gardener. He also worked on a documentary called Coup 53. This is the first in a new series of Great Lives and includes archive of Kermit Roosevelt, a CIA operative. The British were also heavily involved in the coup. The expert is Professor Ali Ansari of St Andrews University, presenter on Radio 4 of Through Persian Eyes.
The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde
Future programme subjects include singer Eartha Kitt, author JG Ballard, and pioneering British aviator Diana Barnato-Walker who delivered Spitfires in World War Two.
Ninette de Valois
Sophie Scott on Hattie Jacques
Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo
Susie Dent on Thomas Mann
Tony Benn
Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials
Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes
Kofi Annan
Frank Zappa
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Arthur Ashe
Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking
Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston
Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged
Minette Batters on Henry Plumb
Bob Harris on Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United manager
Noddy Holder on Chuck Berry
Olivia Laing on Christopher Lloyd, Gardener and Writer
Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter
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