Historical
This genre is one of the largest non-fiction genres, and consists primarily of documentaries about one or more historical events or time periods. In general, the title will not be of a contemporary nature (that is, it will be made about a subject that actually occurred in the past). Some historical subjects include ancient civilizations & archaeology, famous crimes, popular culture and trends of the past, and other major world events.
People of the Wind (1976)
8/10
Director: Anthony Howarth
Starring: (Voice of) , James Mason
This feature-length documentary captures the migratory lifestyle of nomadic peoples and remains gripping throughout. The Babadi clan of the same Bakht... Read more
History and Art of the Geisha (2005)
This fascinating exploration of the Geisha will take you on an enlightening journey of discovery into the secret world of Japanese society. Uncover th... Read more
Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
7.4/10
Director: Liz Garbus
In 1972, America was chess-obsessed. The Soviet Union used chess to demonstrate its intellectual superiority to the West, but along came a young, lone... Read more
America Before Columbus (2009)
7.1/10
Director: Cristina Trebbi
History books traditionally depict the pre-Columbus Americas as a pristine wilderness where small native villages lived in harmony with nature. But sc... Read more
Civilisations (2007)
7.1/10
Director: Serge Tigneres, Tomomi Nagasawa
This popular French production chronicles four of history's most influential ancient civilisations. Episodes include: 'China - The Wild Dragon's Herit... Read more
How We Built Britain (2007)
8.4/10
Director: Jonty Claypole
Starring: David Dimbleby
This lavish BBC series examines the history of the extraordinary buildings which grew out of the experiences and beliefs of the British people and def... Read more
Blackbeard - Terror at Sea (2006)
6.5/10
Starring: James Purefoy
Go inside the cunning mind of a charming criminal genius as 'National Geographic' tells the dramatic story of one of history's most fearsome pirates.... Read more
Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery (2008)
7.4/10
It's high adventure, triumph and tragedy as we journey around the world in the wake of one of the greatest explorers of all time - James Cook. A hero... Read more
The West (1996)
8.4/10
Director: Stephen Ives
Starring: Narrated by, Peter Coyote
Ken Burns ('The Civil War', 'Jazz') produced this acclaimed PBS series which takes a look at the history of the American West spanning the 19th centur... Read more
Martin Clunes: Islands of Britain (2008)
8.5/10
Director: Dominic Ozanne
Starring: Martin Clunes
The UK is made up of about 1,000 different islands and this series sets out to explore the most fascinating yet unfamiliar ones. Martin Clunes visits... Read more