Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

Giacomo Casanova has long been hailed as a lustful beast who romped his way around Europe bedding as many women as he could. He lived a life of adventure, comedy and drama and raised questions about human relationships and sexuality that are still relevant today. How has our view of him changed in these modern times? Although this reputation is well-deserved, it doesn't tell the whole story. Casanova was also a talented and charming cheat who consorted with figures across the social spectrum - from prostitutes and pimps, to kings.

Thanks to a recent remarkable discovery in the BBC's Film Vaults, the best of David Attenborough's early Zoo Quest adventures can now be seen as never before - in colour - and with it the remarkable story of how this pioneering television series was made. First broadcast in December 1954, Zoo Quest was one of the most popular television series of its time and launched the career of the young David Attenborough as a wildlife presenter. Zoo Quest completely changed how viewers saw the world - revealing wildlife and tribal communities that had never been filmed or even seen before.
Broadcast ten years before colour television was seen in the UK, Zoo Quest was thought to have been filmed in black and white. Until now. Using this extraordinary new-found colour film, together with new behind the scenes stories from David Attenborough and cameraman Charles Lagus, this 90 minute special showcases the very best of Zoo Quest to West Africa, Zoo Quest to Guiana and Zoo Quest for a Dragon in stunning HD colour for the very first time.

Told from both sides of the law, this documentary series follows the FBI's battle to bring down infamous mob boss John Gotti, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous figures in the history of organized crime. Through the testimonies of journalists, real-life personalities who helped take down him, and even former mobsters, the showrunners tell the tale of Gotti’s rise to prominence and his subsequent downfall. The film features archival footage, audio tapes and exclusive interviews.
In the first chapter, when Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino crime family, is murdered on a busy street, there's only one suspect: his former protégé John Gotti.

Explore the intriguing world of M.C. Escher in this captivating documentary, which delves deep into his life and artistic journey through his own words. Narrated with excerpts from his writings, the film is visually enriched with archival footage of Escher himself and showcases his iconic drawings. Gain unique insights from interviews with his surviving family members who illuminate aspects of his personal and professional life.
Escher, who often described his work as straddling the realms of art and mathematics, admitted to not excelling in either yet found profound expression in geometry-infused art. Choosing to work in stark black and white, he embraced the challenge of conveying complex ideas without the use of color. The film explores pivotal phases in his career, including his mesmerizing explorations of the human eye and his ultimate obsession with the concept of infinity—depicted in real forms like circles and through visual illusions such as his famous never-ending staircase.
The documentary also features perspectives from admirers such as musician Graham Nash, who argues that Escher's genius remains underappreciated. This film promises not only to shed light on Escher’s innovative work but also to inspire a deeper appreciation for his unique blend of visual storytelling and mathematical precision.

The risk of human extinction has never been higher. Recent years have seen a global pandemic, a renewed nuclear threat and runaway climate change. New research predicts a 1 in 6 chance that life as we know it won't make it to the end of this century. This compelling science documentary looks at the greatest risks to humanity and what we can do about it. Are we all doomed?

It is 200 years before the birth of Christ and Rome is the new superpower of the ancient world. She believes she is invincible - but one man is destined to change that. He is a man bound by oath to avenge the wrongs inflicted on his home and, in pursuit of revenge, he will stop at nothing. This featured docudrama explores the man behind the myth, revealing what drove the 26-year-old to mastermind one of the most audacious military moves in history. With 40,000 soldiers and 37 elephants, he marched 1,500 miles to challenge his enemies on their own soil. It was an act so daring that few people believed it possible.
‘Hannibal: Rome Worst Nightmare’ combines drama, the latest historical research and state-of-the-art CGI to bring this spectacular story to life.