Mount St Bernard Abbey in Coalville opened its doors for a rare look inside the monastery - and the result was the documentary Brotherhood: The Inner Life of Monks which was shown on BBC4 last night (Sunday).

Nick Hamer's film offered a fascinating look at how the monks have had to accept some aspects of 21st century life. But it took him 18 months to develop the access he needed.

It begins with the suggestion that there may, one day, not be a monastery there as those who pass away are not being replaced by a younger generation.

Some may not be surprised by that. But the point is also made that Mount St Bernard's has no official financial backing.

One millionaire businessman donated an undisclosed sum because he knew one of the monks 'who had prayed for him' and he wanted to share his wealth.

But the days when the Oaks Road monastery's farm provided an income have gone.

Now, a business venture of its own is bringing in the finance needed to keep the place running.

The monks are brewing their own beer and the film showed the modern-day machinery and thinking needed to make this work.

The point is made that, for once, the monks have had to create a visible profile as a result. Almost unheard of in years gone by, the whole point of being a monk is to almost cut yourself off from the outside world.

It would have been easy to have centred the film around the making of Tynt Meadow beer and its resulting popularity.

The monks brew the only Trappist beer in Britain.

But it also explains why the monastery needs to continue as it has for decades.

The abbey was the first permanent monastery to be founded in England since the Reformation and is the sole Trappist house in England.

It is now accepted that there needs to be a balance between connecting with the modern-day while still keeping a the deeply religious life.

At times, it is a difficult watch, the subject of death is not ignored with some monks openly accepting its inevitability.

It also makes it clear that this life is not for everyone - and that some cannot deal with it.

But others have been there for more than 60 years and it is their life.

You can see the documentary on BBC iPlayer by following this link: Brotherhood: The Inner Life of Monks on iPlayer.