Most politicians are fundamentally unsuited to the painful and exposing reckoning that is required
Often the pet project of a zealous sponsor, they tend to go untested with the public until their unveiling
A bracing tale of the cultural clash between arts and politics that still resonates today
A history of the culture and politics around the cold war
Thackeray’s drama was reshaped for contemporary tastes throughout the 20th century
![MAMMOTH SCREEN FOR ITV "VANITY FAIR" Pictured: OLIVIA COOKE as Becky Sharp. This photograph is (C) iTV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com For further information please contact: Patrick.smith@itv.com 0207 1573044](https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fprod-upp-image-read.ft.com%2F0bff953e-ad25-11e8-8253-48106866cd8a?source=next&fit=scale-down&dpr=2&width=240)
