From peasants' son to revolutionary leader — Mao Zedong laid the foundation for modern China. This three-part documentary offers an in-depth look at one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Part 2 & 3 coming soon! Part 2: Available from 10 October 2026 Part 3: Available from 17 October 2026 The legacy of the "founding father" of the People's Republic of China remains deeply controversial. Revered in Europe as a revolutionary icon in the late 1960s, Mao led China to the brink of disaster and ultimately clung to power with a regime of terror. Yet today's leaders in Beijing continue to draw on the cult of Mao. China is now a global power, a transformation that would be difficult to imagine without Mao Zedong. When Mao Zedong was born in 1893, nothing hinted at his meteoric rise to power. The son of a farming family, he grew up during a period of political instability and profound social upheaval.