Viewers are so used to seeing death and dying on screen, often in dramatic or unrealistic ways. Ellen and Mark explore how films and TV are drawn to personifications of death, why we need more realistic depictions and who is making them. 

Mark speaks to film critic Kim Newman about the way in which personifications of death have been portrayed throughout cinema history, from The Seventh Seal to the Final Destination series. Mark then talks to director Kristen Johnson about her film, Dick Johnson is Dead.

Ellen talks to academic Michele Aaron about how death and dying has been depicted in film and if we need more realistic depictions.

Producer: Hester Cant
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4