Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

Through the mountains and jungles of Colombia, Cooper goes in search of the truth behind one of the greatest stories ever told - the legend of El Dorado. His journey takes him from Bogota to the Caribbean coast, through territories once dominated by two cultures, the Muisca and the Tairona, who flourished for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Cooper reveals forgotten peoples who valued gold in a way the Western world still struggles to understand, travelling to an astonishing lost city and meeting the last survivors of an ancient civilisation.

Following the Yangtze along Tiger Leaping Gorge into Yunnan in China, Palin reaches the easternmost end of the Himalayas. He gets a medical check-up before exploring medieval Lijiang with the director of the local orchestra. Heading over Myanmar to Nagaland in India he rides the steam train to Tipong Coalmine. In Assam he rides an elephant and then stays in a strange monastery.

Julien Temple's epic time-travelling voyage to the heart of his hometown. From musicians, writers and artists to dangerous thinkers, political radicals and above all ordinary people, this is the story of London's immigrants, its bohemians and how together they changed the city forever. Reaching back to the dawn of film in London at the start of the 20th century, the story unfolds through film archive, voices of Londoners past and present and the flow of popular music across the century; a stream of urban consciousness, like the river which flows through its heart. It ends now, as London prepares to welcome the world to the 2012 Olympics.

Two lifelong friends set out on an unforgettable journey across Europe like you've never seen before — not on modern machines, but on beautifully restored vintage motorbikes. From the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands to the icy reaches of the Arctic Circle, and down through the heart of the Baltics and continental Europe, they follow an unconventional path fueled by curiosity, friendship, and a passion for the open road. As they ride thousands of miles over two months, every detour reveals a new story, every breakdown sparks laughter, and every mile deepens their bond. This isn’t just a road trip — it’s a soulful ride through landscapes, memories, and the timeless joy of adventure.
The first three episodes of this standout series follow Ewan and Charley as they set off across Europe — taking the longest, most adventurous way possible. After crossing the North Sea, they ride through the Netherlands and Germany, stopping in Charley’s mother’s hometown before continuing toward the Danish islands, where the sense of freedom begins to take hold. But the road soon turns unpredictable. In Sweden, Ewan’s bike breaks down, stranding him in unfamiliar territory. A group of local bikers steps in to help, showing that the journey is not just about distance, but about the people you meet along the way. With their support, he reaches iconic Scandinavian landmarks and new challenges, realizing that this ride is as much about resilience and friendship as it is about travel.
These early episodes promise more than adventure — they deliver a soulful, cinematic ride into the heart of connection and discovery.

In the thrilling series finale, the journey culminates high in the Alps as our riders launch into an exhilarating paragliding flight above snow-dusted peaks, confronting the elements with sheer adrenaline. They then trade handlebars for putters on a breathtaking Swiss golf course, where each swing frames mist-shrouded valleys in the distance. A chance detour leads them to a quirky mountain artist’s hidden atelier, where kinetic sculptures seem to capture the spirit of their odyssey. As glaciers gleam and winding roads beckon, they pause to savour the bonds forged and miles conquered before embarking on the extended ride back home.

In Episodes 4–6, the journey takes an awe-inspiring turn through Norway’s dramatic fjords and along roads carved through towering cliffs. Ewan and Charley are captivated by centuries-old Viking churches and mysterious stone formations that whisper tales of the past. Their adventure shifts gears with a breathtaking detour to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, where melting glaciers and ghostly landscapes reveal the stark reality of a warming planet. As they venture deep into Lapland, isolation, snow-covered silence, and moments of wonder test their resolve and deepen their bond in unexpected ways.