Man with the GOLDEN LIFE

He was a commanding screen actor who specialised in playing villains.

-  HANNAH DAVIES

The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee

Thursday, 9pm, Sky Arts

But behind the mask, Sir Christopher Lee was a surprisingly sensitive and insecure soul.

Now, the extraordinary story of the Hollywood star's life and career is being retold in a humorous and touching film, in which comedian Peter Serafinowicz provides the instantly recognisable voice for a Christopher Lee puppet that acts as narrator.

We learn about Lee's well-to-do Italian heritage as well as his secret life as a Nazi-hunting spy after World War Two before he turned to acting, finding worldwide fame with the title role in the 1958 film Dracula, despite only being on screen for eight minutes.

SCREEN PRESENCE