In the final episode of the series, the Civil War reaches its bloodiest and most decisive stage. After the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Abraham Lincoln becomes increasingly frustrated by generals who fail to destroy Robert E. Lee’s army and finally turns to Ulysses S. Grant, a commander willing to fight relentlessly until the Confederacy is defeated. At the same time, Lincoln pushes the nation beyond simply preserving the Union, supporting Black soldiers, confronting Frederick Douglass over their unequal treatment and making emancipation central to the meaning of the war. As casualties continue to mount, Lincoln faces the election of 1864, the fight to abolish slavery permanently through the 13th Amendment and the final collapse of the Confederacy. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox finally brings the long struggle toward its end, leaving Lincoln to consider how a divided nation can be reunited and what freedom will mean for millions of formerly enslaved people. But just as victory opens the possibility of a new beginning, his assassination transforms triumph into national tragedy and seals his place in American history.
France, 17th Century. For more than three decades, a mysterious prisoner was moved from fortress to fortress under extraordinary secrecy, his identity concealed behind a mask and known only to a handful of powerful men. Ordered into confinement by the minister of Louis XIV in 1669, he would remain locked away until his death in 1703 — alive, but erased. Why was he hidden so carefully? What secret was so dangerous that it demanded absolute silence? Drawing on archival research, expert analysis, and the turbulent politics of the Sun King’s reign, this gripping historical investigation revisits one of France’s greatest unsolved enigmas. From theories of royal bloodlines and forbidden romances to diplomatic conspiracies and mistaken identities, the film explores the many faces behind the mask and the fragile power structures of absolutist France. A tale of intrigue, paranoia, and state secrecy that continues to fascinate more than 350 years later.
Many argue that flying saucers and other extra-terrestrial space ships continuously visit the earth. If that were true, what kinds of technologies would such alien spacecraft require? And do eyewitness reports of UFO sightings jibe with modern theories of how interstellar travel might be possible? Authors, astronomers and theoretical physicists weigh in with the blueprints for inertia-canceling devices, nuclear-powered craft, antimatter propulsion systems and even warp drives. Based on Einstein's theories and countless scientific studies, we'll find out how these visitors might bridge the vast distances between the stars. And if they could survive such hazardous journeys, are they flesh and blood or intelligent machines?
In 1532, Francisco de Pizarro led fewer than two hundred men into the heart of the Inca Empire and brought a civilization of millions to its knees. What drove this man—from humble beginnings in Spain—to defy impossible odds and confront Atahualpa’s army of 30,000 warriors? Through striking reenactments and expert insight, the film explores how faith, greed, and unyielding ambition collided in one of history’s most shocking encounters, forever changing the fate of two worlds. Beyond the conquest, it delves into the man himself—visionary and tyrant, believer and betrayer—revealing how his thirst for glory became a symbol of both human courage and moral ruin. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes, this journey exposes the hidden cost of empire: the blood spilled, the cultures erased, and the myths that still echo through the ruins of Cuzco.
The film recounts the story of the 100th Bomb Group during World War II and follows bomber crews on dangerous missions to destroy targets inside German-occupied Europe. The Documentary honors the heroes of the Group and portrays the intensity of war, the dangers that the airmen face, and the friendships and relationships that develop. This unit from the Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress suffered tremendous losses in combat, with 177 aircraft missing in action, flying its last mission on 20 April 1945. Meet the airmen who inspired the tv series 'Masters of the Air' as they share the harrowing and transformative events of the 100th Bomb Group. The interviews with the real-life heroes are revealing, and the wealth of newsreel footage compiled in the documentary is utilized with a sharp eye for detail.
Our blue planet is facing one its biggest threats in human history. Trillions of pieces of plastic are choking the very lifeblood of our earth, and every marine animal, from the smallest plankton to the largest mammals, is being affected. But can we turn back this growing plastic tide before it is too late? Wildlife biologist Liz Bonnin visits scientists working at the cutting edge of plastics research. She works with some of the world's leading marine biologists and campaigners to discover the true dangers of plastic in our oceans and what it means for the future of all life on our planet, including us. Liz travels to a remote island off the coast of Australia that is the nesting site for a population of seabirds called flesh-footed shearwaters. Newly hatched chicks are unable to regurgitate effectively, so they are filling up on deadly plastic. She visits the Coral Triangle that stretches from Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands to find out more from top coral scientists trying to work out why plastic is so lethal to the reefs, fragile ecosystems that contain 25 per cent of all marine life.
As casualties continue to mount, Lincoln faces the election of 1864, the fight to abolish slavery permanently through the 13th Amendment and the final collapse of the Confederacy. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox finally brings the long struggle toward its end, leaving Lincoln to consider how a divided nation can be reunited and what freedom will mean for millions of formerly enslaved people. But just as victory opens the possibility of a new beginning, his assassination transforms triumph into national tragedy and seals his place in American history.