The Aristocrats

Lord Shaftesbury
Favourite Show Playlist
8PM Sat 18 May 2013

This film follows Nick Ashley Cooper coming to terms with his sudden and brutal assumption of the title of the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, trying to rescue the Shaftesbury family name - famed for philanthropy and acts of charity down the centuries - from bankruptcy and ruin.

This is the first documentary made with access to Nick and the Shaftesbury family.

Nick thought he was going to be a DJ, and was enjoying success in New York, when his father, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, was murdered by his Tunisian wife's brother.

Nick's brother Anthony, who had only become 11th Earl a month before when their father's body was discovered, then died tragically of a sudden heart attack aged just 28.

The death of his father and brother left Nick facing an appalling challenge. The family seat at Wimborne St Giles was in such bad condition that English Heritage had placed it on their at-risk register.

But where most people would walk away, the film follows Nick as he decides that he will rescue it, borrowing millions from the banks to do so.

This film is about one man's struggle against almost insurmountable obstacles and the weight of tradition driving him on. Can Nick pull off the impossible and how much will he sacrifice for the family name?

Currently displaying all only audio described episodes
+ Display all episodes + Display only audio described episodes
  1. Latest
  2. All Episodes

    1. The Aristocrats Sat 18 May 2013 Lord Shaftesbury

      This film follows Nick Ashley Cooper coming to terms with his sudden and brutal assumption of the title of the 12th…

      • This episode has subtitles available.
      • 24 days left
      Playlist

    1. The Aristocrats Lord Shaftesbury Sat 18 May 2013

      This film follows Nick Ashley Cooper coming to terms with his sudden and brutal assumption of the title of the 12th…

      • This episode has subtitles available.
      • 24 days left
      Playlist

    2. The Aristocrats: Goodwood Goodwood Thu 29 Nov 2012

      Charles Gordon-Lennox is the Earl of March and Kinrara, heir to the Dukedom of Richmond, and owner of Goodwood.

      • This episode has subtitles available.
      Playlist

    3. The Aristocrats Blenheim Palace Thu 22 Nov 2012

      Offering an exclusive insight into one of the most famous - and historically one of the bitterest - father and son…

      • This episode has subtitles available.
      Playlist

MORE:

See all Documentaries