24 Essential History Documentaries
24 titles
- 1
The Great WarMovie · 2007 · 240mThis film recreates the experiences of Canadian soldiers during World War One, featuring a cast comprised of descendants of those who fought in the war.IMDb 6.1 - 2
Vlast (Power)Movie · 2010 · 88mFollowing the Soviet Union's fall, a chaotic yet opportunity-rich atmosphere emerged for ambitious young Russian entrepreneurs striving to establish a market economy. Among them, Mikhail Khodorkovsky rose to become Russia's wealthiest man. However, Khodorkovsky's interests extended beyond business; he also championed social reform and a vision of an open society – ideals that clashed with Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime. This revealing documentary charts Khodorkovsky's remarkable ascent to power and his eventual downfall at the hands of Putin's government, revealing a nation grappling with its dedication to economic and personal freedoms. - Los Angeles Film FestivalIMDb 7.1TMDB 5.9 - 3
HiroshimaMovie · 2005 · 89m · Documentary, Drama, WarThis documentary details the world's first nuclear attack and its devastating consequences. Over three weeks, from the initial Trinity test to the bombing of Hiroshima, it explores the political decisions leading up to America's use of atomic weapons. Using archival footage, dramatizations, and special effects, the film depicts events aboard the Enola Gay and the explosion itself.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.2 - 4
MontezumaMovie · 2009"Montezuma," a 2009 BBC documentary film hosted by Dan Snow, explores the rule of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.5 - 5
PyramidMovie · 2002 · 58mThe Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Experts say its construction was so advanced, even today's technology might not allow us to replicate it. Using the newest research and archaeological findings, this film reveals how the Pyramid was actually built.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.0 - 6
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War OneMovie · 2008 · 50mThis film recounts the experiences of the final soldiers to perish in the Great War.IMDb 8.3 - 7
The Death of YugoslaviaMovie · 1995 · 246mThis series chronicles the political events and wars that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and the resulting international crisis. Through interviews with key figures and archival footage, it successfully clarifies a complex and previously difficult-to-understand history, presenting it in a way that feels immediate and relevant.IMDb 8.6TMDB 9.5 - 8
Forbidden Tomb Of Genghis KhanMovie · 2011 · 51mIMDb 7.5TMDB 6.0 - 9
Unconstitutional: The War On Our Civil LibertiesMovie · 2004 · 66mThis documentary examines how the rights of American citizens and immigrants have been restricted following the September 11th attacks and the enactment of the Patriot Act.IMDb 7.8TMDB 6.3 - 10
The Vikings UncoveredMovie · 2016 · 90mHistorian Dan Snow joins archaeologist Dr. Sarah Parcak in a quest to find evidence of Vikings in North America. While Dr. Parcak uses advanced technology to search for Viking settlements across the Atlantic, Dan investigates the Vikings' voyages to the continent, which occurred half a millennium before Columbus.IMDb 7.3TMDB 4.1 - 11
Colosseum - Rome's Arena of DeathMovie · 2003 · 59mColosseum: Rome's Arena of Death is a 2003 BBC docudrama that recounts the true story of Verus, a gladiator who fought in the Colosseum in Rome.TMDB 7.2 - 12
9/11: The Twin TowersMovie · 2006 · 98mA team of researchers ventures into the remote Amazon rainforest to document the behavior of a newly discovered species of monkey. As they study the primates, they uncover evidence of a complex social structure and surprising intelligence. However, their presence disrupts the delicate ecosystem, leading to unforeseen consequences for both the monkeys and the researchers themselves.IMDb 7.7TMDB 6.4 - 13
Battle of Jutland: The Navy's Bloodiest DayMovie · 2016 · 60mThis documentary recounts the Battle of Jutland, a major naval engagement fought between Britain and Germany during World War I. The battle occurred on May 31st and June 1st, 1916, in the North Sea off the coast of Denmark. The film recreates the events of the battle and investigates the disproportionate loss of British warships compared to those lost by the German fleet. It was produced to mark the battle's 100th anniversary.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.7 - 14
Jekyll Island, The Truth Behind The Federal ReserveMovie · 2013 · 126mThis film exposes the biggest financial deception in history – how money and debt are created and controlled, impacting everyone globally and fueling today’s economic crises. Unless we understand this at a national level, government actions will be ineffective, leading to increasing debt and declining living standards for future generations. Depressions are not inevitable; they are engineered. Nations do not require national debt or borrowing; they can create the money they need. Governments primarily borrow money, not print it. The film offers a straightforward solution: understanding the problem itself. Anyone can...IMDb 8.8TMDB 8.5 - 15
Man on WireMovie · 2008 · 94m · DocumentaryIn 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit performed an illegal walk between the New York World Trade Center towers, then the tallest buildings in the world. He spent nearly an hour on a wire strung 1,350 feet above the city streets before being arrested. This documentary recounts Petit's extraordinary feat.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 16Horror in the East: Japan and the Atrocities of World War IIMovie · 2000 · 95mThis two-part documentary explores Japan's conduct during World War II, focusing on the treatment of Allied prisoners of war. Using Japanese archival footage and interviews with both prisoners and their captors, the film examines the dramatic shift in attitudes towards POWs compared to World War I. The conclusion investigates why, as the war turned against Japan, many soldiers preferred death to surrender. Through veterans' accounts and historical footage, the documentary paints a picture of a nation in crisis and reveals the devastating consequences of Japan's determination to fight to the bitter end for all involved in the war in the East.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.0
- 17
Cruickshank on Kew: The Garden That Changed the WorldMovie · 2009 · 60mTo mark the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's 250th anniversary, Dan Cruickshank explores the unexpected stories behind this iconic place. He journeys from the gardens themselves to the halls of government and the far reaches of the British Empire, assembling Kew's history. His investigation reveals tales of courage, daring exploits, romance, and intense drama. - 18
The Greatest Tomb on Earth: Secrets of Ancient ChinaMovie · 2016 · 59mHistorians Dan Snow, Dr. Alice Roberts, and Dr. Albert Lin explore groundbreaking finds within a vast tomb complex protected by the Terracotta Army of China.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.5 - 19
Harlan County U.S.A.Movie · 1977 · 105m · DocumentaryThis film examines a pivotal moment in American labor history: the 1973 strike by coal miners at the Brookside Mine in Harlan County, Kentucky, owned by Eastover Mining Company. After the miners sought union representation, the company refused to negotiate with the United Mine Workers of America, leading to a difficult, year-long conflict. The documentary powerfully portrays the miners' fight against armed strikebreakers and company security, alongside the strong support of their families. Director Barbara Kopple provides historical context, highlighting the miners' long-standing struggles and the importance of the United Mine Workers in their fight for basic rights. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive and New York Women in Film & Television in 2004, this documentary remains a vital historical record.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.5 - 20
Rome's Lost EmpireMovie · 2012 · 88mHistorian Dan Snow utilizes cutting-edge satellite technology to uncover hidden aspects of the Roman Empire. He uses these advancements to pinpoint the locations of lost cities, amphitheaters, and military forts.IMDb 6.2TMDB 9.0 - 21
The World of Hammer: Lands Before TimeMovie · 1994 · 29mHammer Films were consistently the most successful and influential British film company. While famous for their Dracula, Frankenstein, and satanic films, their "Hammer Glamour" series had a significant impact on the 1960s. These epics presented a unique take on history, particularly prehistory, combining historical elements with fantasy and featuring both striking visuals and beautiful actresses. They bridged the gap between monster thrills and the allure of gorgeous women. It's a distinctive vision of the past, unlike anything else. The Hammer Glamour legacy continues to resonate, having profoundly shaped popular culture.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.0 - 22
First Contact: Lost Tribe of the AmazonMovie · 2016 · 49mFor years, isolated indigenous tribes have lived in the Amazon rainforest, untouched by other communities. This documentary records the first contact made between one of these tribes and the outside world.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.1 - 23
HadrianMovie · 2008 · 59mThis television documentary explores the life of Roman Emperor Hadrian.IMDb 7.3 - 24
13thMovie · 2016 · 100m · DocumentaryThis film examines the American prison system, revealing how it reflects the country's ongoing history of racial inequality.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.9
