Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

David Attenborough concludes his epic history of the evolution of flight with an exploration of the highly advanced fliers that dominate our skies today – the extraordinarily diverse skills of the birds, and the sonar-guided precision of the bats. He encounters some of our planet’s most remarkable fliers – from peregrine falcons dive-bombing starlings over Rome, to hummingbirds hovering in the cloud forests of Ecuador. In a spectacular finale, he visits Gomantong cave in Borneo to witness the mass exodus of a million bats.

The 80s was also an age of innovators and icons, of style and substance. In this chapter, Dylan Jones celebrates some of the stars who created the timeless legacy of the 1980s. From stellar BBC archive performances from the likes of Madonna, Depeche Mode, Sade, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys and Tina Turner to iconic MTV-era gems from Billy Idol, Eurythmics, U2, Janet Jackson, Prince and many more.
It also features rarely seen archive television footage from the BBC vaults, including Terry Wogan interviewing Grace Jones, Bruce Springsteen on the Old Grey Whistle Test and Adam Ant performing his own stunts in a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Prince Charming video.

The film takes you on a gripping journey through one of history’s most devastating natural disasters—the 2004 Indian Ocean Boxing Day tsunami. With intimate, first-hand accounts from survivors around the globe, the documentary unveils the terrifying sequence of events on the morning of December 26th, 2004. Through raw and compelling personal narratives, viewers are transported to the chaotic moments when the colossal wave struck, forever altering lives and reshaping entire communities.
Among these unforgettable stories is that of Rob, an Englishman whose harrowing account of trying to rescue his family from a serene Sri Lankan beach brings the human cost of the disaster into stark focus. The film not only chronicles the tragic loss of approximately 230,000 lives and the displacement of 1.4 million people but also examines the enduring impact of the tsunami on a generation defined by both profound loss and incredible resilience. This riveting portrayal promises to captivate audiences with its blend of human drama and historical significance, urging viewers to reflect on the power of nature and the strength of the human spirit.

This gripping five-part docuseries marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, revealing how a distant war redefined two nations. With unseen footage, candid interviews, and damning presidential recordings, it exposes the political manipulation, battlefield tragedies, and societal fractures that shaped the Vietnam War. From Washington’s strategic missteps to the raw trauma of those on the ground, it shows how the conflict shattered trust in government and left wounds that still resonate today.
The first three episodes trace the war’s slow ignition and its rapid spiral into chaos. They take viewers deep into the secretive early stages of the U.S. military buildup, then shift to the complex realities inside Vietnam, with personal accounts from soldiers on both sides. The series then confronts the shock of the Tet Offensive and the atrocities of Mỹ Lai, dismantling the illusion of a winnable war. These opening chapters set a powerful tone—intimate, harrowing, and unflinchingly honest.

In Episodes 4 and 5, the war reaches a brutal turning point. As the Tet Offensive erupts, Hunter embeds with American and South Vietnamese troops caught completely off guard. What unfolds is raw, unfiltered chaos—urban combat in shattered cities, desperate ambushes in the jungle, and a shocking realization that the war is far from over. Through Hunter’s lens, we see not just the front lines, but the crumbling morale, the divided home front, and the faces of those questioning what they’re fighting for. These episodes pull you straight into the eye of the conflict—and what you’ll witness will stay with you forever.

Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his compelling film, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.
Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the documentary is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others. These gifted artists span a range of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom.
Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, 20 Feet from Stardom boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few. However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the film.