Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

There is a tendency to deny German culture the equal reverence of Italy or Spain, and this enlightening new series provides a wonderful opportunity to explore a great, yet often neglected, artistic tradition whose influence has been just as profound. Andrew Graham-Dixon concludes his exploration of German art by investigating the dark and difficult times of the 20th century. Dominating the landscape is the figure of Adolf Hitler, failed artist, would-be architect and obsessed with the aesthetics of his 1,000-year Reich". In a series of extraordinary building projects and exhibitions, Hitler waged a propaganda war against every form of modern art as a prelude to unleashing total war on the whole of Europe. After the war the shadow of the Third Reich persisted, Germany remained divided and traumatised. How would artists deal with a past that everybody wanted to forget? Journeying through the work of Otto Dix and George Grosz and the age of the Bauhaus to the post-war painters Georg Baselitz, Hilla Becher and the conceptual artist Joseph Beuys is a long and strange journey, but the signs that art has a place at the heart of the new reunited Germany are clearly visible.

Hitler’s rise to power was a unique moment in history. Germany suffered a humiliating defeat in WWI; now it's crippled by massive war reparations. Hitler offers a scapegoat: the Jews. The Nazis are quick to institute anti-Semitic laws and stoke distrust of the Jews. Anyone deemed 'undesirable,' from political opponents, to the handicapped, gypsies and Jews are sent to camps. There they are either worked to death, starved or executed. But just how much did the rest of the world know of what was going on?

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.

An Ice Age relic found in a mysterious cave is evidence of prehistoric humans' connection to the supernatural. Using cutting-edge tech, experts investigate this 40,000-year-old treasure to reveal why it was made and the long-lost myths it represents.
In the summer of 1939, a team of explorers unearthed hundred of mammoth ivory fragments within a cave in Germany. Due to the start of World War II, the explorers were forced to abandon their findings, and the fragments laid forgotten in a museum. Decades later, as archeologists began piecing the fragments together, an extraordinary artifact emerged -- a figure with both animal and human features, now known as the 'Lion man.'

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.

The series takes place after the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago and recreates animals of the Cenozoic with computer-generated imagery and animatronics. The first episode starts 49 million years ago, when Earth has fully recovered from the dinosaur extinction and is covered in a mysterious forest. This is a time that the world has almost forgotten - Germany was a hot sweaty jungle, birds ruled the earth and preyed on miniature horses and whales walked on land.