The Great Stink of 1858(2023)

The Great Stink of 1858 is a historical documentary that explores one of London's most infamous environmental crises. During an extraordinary heatwave in the summer of 1858, a terrible stench rose from the River Thames, making the city nearly uninhabitable. Dr Xand van Tulleken guides viewers through this pivotal moment when London's sewage system catastrophically failed, turning the river into an open sewer. The documentary reveals how this public health disaster ultimately sparked major reforms in sanitation and urban infrastructure. Through period accounts and expert analysis, it examines how a city of millions coped with overwhelming pollution and how the crisis forced authorities to finally address the Thames's contamination. The story demonstrates how environmental disasters can drive transformative change.