The Century of the Self
“A secret history of the 20th century.”
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 15:28 IST
About
The legacy of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud informs the lives of people throughout the world even to this day, though it's a phenomenon to which most are unaware. The film is an exhaustive examination of his theories on human desire, and how they're applied to platforms such as advertising, consumerism and politics.
Cast
Adam Curtis
as Narrator
Anne Bernays
as Self
Martin Bergmann
as Self
Robert Reich
as Self
Edward L. Bernays
as Self (archive footage)
Sigmund Freud
as Self (archive footage)
Anna Freud
as Self (archive footage)
Wilhelm Reich
as Self (archive footage)
Tony Blair
as Self (archive footage)
Margaret Thatcher
as Self (archive footage)
Bill Clinton
as Self (archive footage)
Ronald Reagan
as Self (archive footage)
Seasons
Episodes
Miniseries
Happiness Machines
The story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays. Bernays invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires.
The Engineering of Consent
The programme explores how those in power in post-war America used Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind to try and control the masses.
There Is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads. He Must Be Destroyed
In the 1960s, a radical group of psychotherapists challenged the influence of Freudian ideas in America. They were inspired by the ideas of Wilhelm Reich, a pupil of Freud's, who had turned against him and was hated by the Freud family. He believed that the inner self did not need to be repressed and controlled. It should be encouraged to express itself.
Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering
How both the Labour Party in Britain and the Democrats in America have sought to gain power through use of the focus group, invented by psychoanalysts to fulfil desires of the inner self.
Where does The Century of the Self rank today?
The Century of the Self is #5060 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #5060
- Top 10: 0 days
- Top 100: 0 days
Watch The Century of the Self Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream The Century of the Self online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A highly acclaimed documentary and war & politics series originally produced in English and released in 2002, it's earned a solid 8.5/10 from 120 viewers worldwide.
About The Century of the Self
“A secret history of the 20th century.”
The legacy of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud informs the lives of people throughout the world even to this day, though it's a phenomenon to which most are unaware. The film is an exhaustive examination of his theories on human desire, and how they're applied to platforms such as advertising, consumerism and politics. Across 1 season and 4 episodes, originally airing on BBC Two.
The Century of the Self Cast and Characters
The cast features Adam Curtis (as Narrator), Anne Bernays (as Self), Martin Bergmann (as Self), Robert Reich (as Self), and Edward L. Bernays (as Self (archive footage)). Their performances are a major reason The Century of the Self has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Century of the Self Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch The Century of the Self free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch The Century of the Self NowWhy People Are Watching The Century of the Self
There's a reason The Century of the Self keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Century of the Self
Where can I watch The Century of the Self online for free?
You can watch The Century of the Self online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does The Century of the Self have?
The Century of the Self has 4 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is The Century of the Self good? What's the rating?
The Century of the Self holds a 8.5/10 rating based on 120 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of The Century of the Self?
The main cast includes Adam Curtis, Anne Bernays, Martin Bergmann, and Robert Reich, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is The Century of the Self available in English?
Yes — The Century of the Self was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The Century of the Self released?
The Century of the Self first aired in 2002.
Do I need an account to watch The Century of the Self on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Century of the Self without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed The Century of the Self, check out 1994, Caught in the Web: The Murders Behind Zona Divas, Tanner '88, Long Way Home, and Witness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Century of the Self for free?
You can watch The Century of the Self online for free on Bowood.TV. All 4 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does The Century of the Self have?
The Century of the Self currently has 1 season and a total of 4 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is The Century of the Self about?
The legacy of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud informs the lives of people throughout the world even to this day, though it's a phenomenon to which most are unaware. The film is an exhaustive examination of his theories on human desire, and how they're applied to platforms such as advertising, consumerism and polit… It belongs to the Documentary, War & Politics genres.
In which language is The Century of the Self originally available?
The Century of the Self was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was The Century of the Self first released?
The Century of the Self first premiered on March 17, 2002 (2002). The series has since concluded its run.
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