The Body Of Marilyn Monroe (2004)

She is one of Hollywood's most potent icons, instantly recognisable the world over; desired by men and envied by women. But her feelings about herself were mixed.

Marilyn Monroe kept in good physical shape but, by doing so, found herself typecast. Her frustration led to serious barbiturate abuse and a reputation for being difficult.

At her most positive, she was driven and ambitious, even setting up her own independent production company; a considerable feat for an actress in the 'fifties. But at her worst she was unreliable, erratic and depressed.

Was Marilyn's character forged by the limitations of her own body; by the fact that it could never give her the one thing she wanted most: a child?

The Body of Marilyn Monroe looks at the way Norma Jean created her iconic alter ego. It investigates the physical effects of her drink and drugs addiction and explores the causes of her insomnia and troubled state of mind.