Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

Against the backdrop of Cold War tensions and a global race for supremacy, this riveting film unveils a deeply unsettling chapter in space history. It reveals how the triumph of the 1969 Moon landing was made possible through the morally contentious recruitment of former Nazi scientists—most notably Wernher von Braun—who had engineered Germany’s V‑2 rockets during World War II through Operation Paperclip. As America navigated the ethical maze of enlisting men with dark pasts, these scientists became pivotal in crafting the mighty Saturn V rocket and ushering in the age of space exploration. This documentary invites viewers to confront the unspoken complexity behind progress: the collision of ambition, conscience, and the weight of history.

Click CC for subtitles. A gripping and deeply personal documentary that exposes the harsh realities of the West Bank occupation. Filmed over four years by a team of Palestinian and Israeli activists, it follows the emotional and physical toll of resistance, as well as the unlikely bonds formed amidst conflict. Through raw and unfiltered footage, the film immerses viewers in the struggle for justice, challenging perspectives and igniting urgent conversations.
At the heart of the story is a young Palestinian activist whose path intertwines with an Israeli journalist who begins questioning his own beliefs. As their worlds collide, the film captures the pain, resilience, and humanity on both sides of the divide. “No Other Land” is not just a documentary—it’s a powerful call to witness, to empathize, and to rethink what we think we know about one of the world's longest-standing conflicts.

An essential and entertaining look at the meteoric rise of the seminal 90s rock band Oasis. The film immerses us in the raucous rock stars' fast-paced world of electrifying music, wild debauchery, and epic fraternal feuding, weaving never-before-seen concert footage with candid interviews and an astonishing firsthand account of the backstage sibling rivalry that threatened to destroy the band.

Sagan discusses the story of the Heike crab and artificial selection of crabs resembling samurai warriors, as an opening into a larger discussion of evolution through natural selection (and the pitfalls of intelligent design). Among the topics are the development of life on the Cosmic Calendar and the Cambrian explosion; the function of DNA in growth; genetic replication, repairs, and mutation; the common biochemistry of terrestrial organisms; the creation of the molecules of life in the Miller-Urey experiment; and speculation on alien life (such as life in Jupiter's clouds). In the Cosmos Update ten years later, Sagan remarks on RNA also controlling chemical reactions and reproducing itself and the different roles of comets (potentially carrying organic molecules or causing the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event).

Stonehenge is an icon of prehistoric British culture, an enigma that has seduced archaeologists and tourists for centuries. Why is it here? What is its significance? And which forces inspired its creators? Now a group of international archaeologists led by the University of Birmingham and the Ludwig Boltzman Institute in Vienna believe that a new state-of-the-art approach is the key to unlocking Stonehenge's secrets. For four years the team have surveyed and mapped every monument, both visible and invisible, across ten square kilometres of the sacred landscape to create the most complete digital picture of Stonehenge and the surrounding area over millennia. Known monuments have yielded more data than ever before, revealing hidden structures within, and new finds are revolutionising the very timeline of Stonehenge. The film takes the viewer on a prehistoric journey from 8000 BC to 2500 BC as the scientists uncover the very origins of Stonehenge, learning why this landscape is sacred, preserved and has been revered by following generations. Evidence of war and conflict, as well as the cultivation of ideas and industry, is explored to reveal complex communities with international trade links as far-reaching as Spain and central Europe.

In the first episode, Sir David Attenborough reveals the unexpected wildlife riches of the British Isles, showcasing the dramatic and spectacular habitats that rival any across the globe. This journey uncovers the diversity of life in the UK's unique landscapes, from the intricate world of bumblebees to the swift lives of kingfishers. The episode captures extraordinary scenes of nature, including killer whales preying on seals, golden eagles in the Scottish mountains, the cunning tactics of woodland plants, and the perilous life of puffins evading gulls. It highlights Britain's geological diversity as a cornerstone of its natural wealth, contributing to an array of habitats and supporting a wide range of life.
Britain's importance extends to being a haven for migratory birds, with our seas feeding 65% of the world's gannets and supporting the largest colony of northern gannets on Scotland's Bass Rock. The west coast of Scotland offers sanctuary to barnacle geese due to its abundant food and mild climate, though they remain vigilant against hunting sea eagles. Despite these natural treasures, Britain faces challenges as one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. Sir David Attenborough emphasizes the need to conserve and restore these wild isles for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations.