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Secrets of the Dead

Churchill's Deadly Decision

Season 10 Episode 1 | 53m 40s

July 3, 1940. After only 54 days into office, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered his Navy to take control of French ships or destroy them. What led to this unprecedented and controversial attack was a series of events that saw France being overrun by the Nazis in a matter of weeks, Roosevelt fearing that Britain would fall, and Churchill needing a way to prove otherwise.

Aired: 05/11/10 | Expires: 01/01/20
SECRETS OF THE DEAD is made possible, in part, by public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | Picturing Shakespeare
Could the discovery of a third portrait of William Shakespeare be a genuine article?
Preview: S23 E2 | 0:32
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | China's Bronze Kingdom
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
Preview: S23 E1 | 0:32
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | Cracking the Queen's Code
See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
Preview: S22 E9 | 0:32
Watch • 1:53
Secrets of the Dead
The Secret Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots Finally Decoded
After months decoding mysterious letters, codebreakers realize they may belong to Mary Stuart.
Clip: S22 E9 | 1:53
Watch • 2:33
Secrets of the Dead
The Marriage that Destroyed Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary weds Darnley to secure her crown, but her perfect match soon becomes a dangerous mistake.
Clip: S22 E9 | 2:33
Watch • 1:32
Secrets of the Dead
Why Mary, Queen of Scots Wore Red to Her Death
Moments before her execution, Mary had one last message to send to the world.
Clip: S22 E9 | 1:32
Watch • 1:14
Secrets of the Dead
The Secret Code of Mary, Queen of Scots
As a child Mary loved writing in code. As a captive queen, it became essential to her survival.
Clip: S22 E9 | 1:14
Watch • 2:02
Secrets of the Dead
How Mary, Queen of Scots Smuggled Letters Past Her Guards
To smuggle her encrypted messages beyond the prison walls, Mary must rely on unconventional methods.
Clip: S22 E9 | 2:02
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | Cleopatra's Last Temple
An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
Preview: S22 E8 | 0:32
Watch • 3:14
Secrets of the Dead
What Cleopatra’s Temple May Have Looked Like
Tiny lead tokens revealed the first clues to Cleopatra’s temple façade in Alexandria.
Clip: S22 E8 | 3:14
All
  • All
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 23
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 22
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 21
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 20
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 19
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 18
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 17
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 16
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 15
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 14
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 13
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 12
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 11
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 10
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 9
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 8
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 7
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 6
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 5
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 4
Secrets of the Dead
China's Bronze Kingdom
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
Episode: S23 E1
Secrets of the Dead
Chasing the Plague
Scientists study medieval bubonic plague victims in hopes of preventing future outbreaks.
Episode: S22 E10
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Cracking the Queen's Code
See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
Episode: S22 E9 | 55:15
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Cleopatra's Last Temple
An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
Episode: S22 E8 | 55:15
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
The Rise & Fall of the Colosseum
The spectacular arena showcasing Ancient Rome’s power also contributed to its downfall.
Episode: S22 E7 | 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Picturing Shakespeare
Could the discovery of a third portrait of William Shakespeare be a genuine article?
Episode: S23 E2
Watch • 54:25
Secrets of the Dead
Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief (Part Two)
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the post-war life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
Episode: S22 E6 | 54:25
Watch • 54:50
Secrets of the Dead
Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief (Part One)
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
Episode: S22 E5 | 54:50
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold
Priceless artifacts in Laos reveal holy sites from the early days of the Khmer Empire.
Episode: S22 E4 | 55:15
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery
The discovery of priceless artifacts in Laos sheds light on the ancient Khmer Empire.
Episode: S22 E3 | 55:15