21 Adam Curtis Documentary Films

Mumbai's opulent Taj Mahal Palace Hotel stands in stark contrast to the city's impoverished slums.

This short film examines how mainstream media oversimplifies complicated events, often portraying them as a series of disconnected tragedies. This approach leaves audiences with a sense of helplessness and the feeling that nothing can be done to address these issues.…

This short film examines the evolution of news and political influence over the past few decades by tracing the changing role of broadcast journalists since the 1950s. It was featured as the third episode in the fourth series of Charlie…

While the future of Rupert Murdoch and News International hangs in the balance, *Every Day is Like Sunday* recounts the compelling story of Cecil King. King was a powerful newspaper magnate who once controlled British media in the 1960s, long…

This short film uses Richard Nixon's paranoia as a lens to examine how a similar mindset now spreads through new media, leading to widespread moral panics and political inaction. It will be shown during the fourth episode of the second…

This documentary by Adam Curtis explores the town of Walton-on-the-Naze.

This short film explores the tumultuous events of 2014, portraying a confusing and overwhelming situation. It examines how difficult it became to understand these events, especially with the constant flow of news and information online. Originally shown as part of…

This film chronicles America's ascent to global prominence beginning in 1959. Utilizing archival footage alongside popular American music of the era, it examines the impact of this rise on the world and on public perception.

This experimental documentary examines Saudi Arabia's complex ties with the United States and how those relationships influenced the conflict in Afghanistan.

The story unfolds behind the scenes of Selfridges, a renowned department store located on London's Oxford Street.

In 1949, during the Cold War, the British and American governments launched a covert operation called Operation Albania. The CIA and MI6 aimed to destabilize the Albanian government, weaken the Soviet Union, and counter the influence of double agent Kim…

David Jones examines the origins of substandard 1960s council housing, exploring how widespread construction flaws led to the eventual demolition of thousands of homes.

In a world dominated by those in power, deception is commonplace. The public is aware of the lies, and those in power know the public is aware. Despite this, the powerful remain unconcerned. While people express concern, action is absent,…

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a woman living in Baltimore, U.S.A., died. Before her death, cells were taken from her body and have continued to grow and multiply ever since. Billions of these cells are now used in laboratories worldwide, weighing…

25 Million Pounds recounts the mid-1990s collapse of Barings Bank, largely due to broker Nick Leeson's £827 million ($1.3 billion) loss from futures trading. The film frames the downfall against the backdrop of Barings Bank's history as one of Britain's…

In the deep south, Dino Labriola, the first Communist mayor of Montemilone, struggles to revive his dying town. Facing widespread unemployment, a young population fleeing for opportunities elsewhere, and a sense of despair among the older residents, Dino battles bureaucratic…

This short film examines the Murdoch media empire as a powerful, intrusive force, drawing comparisons to modern media giants like Google. It argues that these new platforms are not only more invasive but also more deeply ingrained in our lives…

This is a look at the evolution of war reporting. It follows the stories of journalists who have covered conflicts throughout history. The film examines how they have documented war, the challenges they've faced, and the impact their work has…

This is the story of the Metro Centre, Europe's biggest leisure and shopping complex, and the man who brought it to life: John Hall.

This short film for Vice Media explores the illusion of stability, freedom, and prosperity often portrayed in the West, drawing parallels to life in the Soviet Union during the 1970s. The film concludes with a trailer for *HyperNormalisation*.

"The Road to Terror" features firsthand accounts from revolutionaries now living in exile in Paris. As the city prepares to celebrate the anniversary of the 1978 Iranian revolution, they recount how their initial hopes transformed into a terrifying reality of…