Channel 5 (UK) Documentaries

Documentary examining the crimes of David Parker Ray, a man accused of kidnapping, torturing and raping women in a small New Mexico town.

Tells the extraordinary story of Albert Goering. He was the anti-Nazi younger brother of Hitler’s right hand man, Hermann Goering, who risked his life to save Jews and others from Nazi persecution – while his brother was a key member of the Nazi regime perpetrating that persecution. At the end of the war Albert Goering handed himself in to the Allies expecting immediate release, but he was imprisoned for nearly two years while prosecutors examined the case against him. During that time he wrote a list of the 34 most prominent people and families that he had helped to escape from the Nazi terror. The list remains the strongest piece of evidence of his activities during the war.

Documentary examining the life of the late singer-songwriter, who died on Saturday July 23. On stage, she was one of the most gifted female vocalists of modern times, but away from the spotlight, the demons of drunken binges, drug abuse and an explosive relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil led her to spiral out of control. Featuring interviews with her former husband and mother-in-law Georgette, this documentary reveals the reality of her life away from the headlines.

Amanda Knox was recently freed by Italian courts over the killing of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher. It is the latest development in a four-year drama which has gripped three countries. Featuring never-before seen footage from the crime scene, dramatic reconstruction and contributions from leading crime and forensic experts, this programme unravels the case against Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. Within days of the death of Meredith the police believed they had uncovered a tale of lust, murder and manipulation in the beautiful Italian town of Perugia. Nicknamed "Foxy Knoxy" by the media, American Amanda Knox was accused of being a she-devil who orchestrated the bloody killing of her flatmate. The documentary takes an in-depth look at both the evidence that led to Knoxís 2007 conviction and her subsequent acquittal, including an exclusive interview with Patrick Lumumba, who Amanda originally accused of the murder. Dr Roger Summers, a former Director of Forensic Science for the police gives his revealing expert analysis of the forensic investigation, while criminologist David Wilson offers insight into excerpts of Amandaís diary. The programme also hears from the Knox family about their struggle through these times.

Big Ivan, as it was named, was 4,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Fifty years on, this film tells the true story behind the Cold War race for nuclear supremacy. Billions of dollars and roubles were spent, Pacific islands were vaporised and civilians were unwittingly exposed to huge doses of radiation.

A countdown of the nation's favourite Christmas songs. Artists, producers and pundits unwrap the greatest gifts that musicians have given to us for Christmases past and present

Expect the inside scoop on a range of scandalous moments, including Charlie Sheen's spectacular and very public meltdown, Lindsay Lohan's court appearances, Cheryl Cole being dumped from X Factor USA, Kim Kardashian's short-lived marriage and Pippa Middleton's rear. Featuring contributions from Kerry Katona, Russell Grant, Janice Dickinson and Amy Childs.

From Houdini to the present day, illusionists have been catching bullets between their teeth, sawing people in half and reading minds. But which ones stand the test of time? Escaping from peril is the theme of many tricks. Many acts have been seen in which performers free themselves from the constrains of handcuffs, strait jackets or ropes while being suspended in, above or under a tank of water, fire or ice. Are today’s big show-stopping events, such as making the Statue of Liberty disappear, any more spectacular than playing Find the Lady with a skilled card sharp? Channel 5 takes a look at the tricks that still maintain the magic.