First broadcast by BBC TV in 1989, 'The Spirit of Man' comprises three short comic satires about man's faith across the ages, the momentous subject deftly balanced between humour and solemnity. In three parts ('A Hand Witch of the Second Stage', 'From Sleep and Shadow', 'The Night of the Sinhat Torah') spanning thirteenth century France, Commonwealth England and nineteenth century Poland, Barnes examines the desire to believe and the terror of believing.