The series consist of three episodes, with title My Happiest Years, The Great Director and Hidden Treasures.
In particular, the Mutual outtakes (which Chaplin ordered destroyed due to content inappropriate for the time) show his painstaking approach to developing comedic and dramatic ideas on film, examined in what director Brownlow described as an "archaeology of the cinema".
The program also includes footage of Georgia Hale as the flower girl in City Lights during a period when Chaplin had fired Cherrill, and rare home movies of Chaplin, including a remarkable behind-the-scenes private film of him at work on City Lights.
A compilation of alternate takes illustrates how Chaplin slowly developed the story line of The Immigrant.
The film was narrated by James Mason, and original music was scored and conducted by Carl Davis, largely based on themes composed by Chaplin himself.