20 Captivating History & Legend Documentaries to Explore

The Wars of the Roses: A Bloody Crown

2002 • 128 min

This two-part documentary series uses historically accurate battle reenactments and interviews with historians and authors to vividly portray the true stories of Britain's violent civil wars.

5.0

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The Final Days of Anne Frank

2015 • 87 min

Anne Frank's diary is widely known, but this film chronicles the heartbreaking events that unfolded after she was deported to Nazi concentration camps.

7.7

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Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower

2006 • 136 min

More than just a story about a Thanksgiving dinner, the Pilgrims' journey is a foundational part of American history. This comprehensive documentary offers the most complete account of the Pilgrims and their voyage to and settlement in the New World.…

8.5

8.0

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King of Scots

2007 • 59 min

King Robert the Bruce is Scotland's most celebrated ruler. His story is often remembered as a symbol of Scottish pride and the fight for independence from England. However, the reality of Bruce's ascent involved complex politics, betrayed agreements, fierce battles,…

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Snowdrift at Bleath Gill

1955 • 10 min

A freight train is stranded in the Westmoreland hills due to heavy snowfall, somewhere between Kirkby and Barnard Castle. Crews from the Motive Power, Operating, and Engineering departments deploy snowplows to clear a path and reach the trapped train.

6.4

7.4

Before Scotland

2009 • 137 min

This is the story of Scotland's earliest history. Beginning 10,000 years ago, it's a visually stunning look at our prehistory, featuring the impressive monuments of Orkney and the Isle of Lewis, alongside the fortress of Dunadd and the sacred Kilmartin…

10.0

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CBS Reports: Harvest of Shame

1960 • 55 min

This 1960 CBS News broadcast, presented by Edward R. Murrow on Thanksgiving Day, examines the difficult lives of migrant farm workers in the United States. The program details their harsh living conditions, constant travel, low pay, and limited prospects for…

6.6

7.9

The World's Greatest Fair

2004 • 118 min

This film offers a personal glimpse into the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, using the voices of people who attended. The fair featured groundbreaking events like the debut of the Olympic Games in the U.S., the first Ferris wheel,…

3.0

8.2

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Mark Twain

2002 • 212 min

Filmmaker Ken Burns presents a comprehensive look at Mark Twain, widely regarded as the greatest American author.

7.0

8.3

Wicked Pirate City

2011 • 120 min

Port Royal, Jamaica – the legendary city of pirates – was once the most notorious place on Earth, but it was destroyed by an earthquake that sank it into the ocean. Now, a dive team is employing advanced technology to…

8.0

6.7

The Fog of War

2003 • 107 min

Documentary, TV Movie, History

The Fog of War uses archival footage, recordings of government meetings, and an interview with 85-year-old Robert McNamara to chronicle his life. It follows his journey from a promising young military officer during World War II, to president of Ford…

7.7

8.0

13+

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The Bell Witch Legend

2008 • 50 min

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4.7

The War of 1812

2011 • 120 min

The War of 1812 is a two-hour film examining a pivotal moment in North American and world history. The war profoundly shaped the future of the United States, Canada, and Britain; a few different outcomes could have drastically altered the…

8.0

7.6

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Spanish Lake

2014 • 82 min

This documentary offers a direct look at "white flight" in Spanish Lake, Missouri, a suburban community that grew after World War II. Following rapid economic decline and changing demographics, the town is significantly impacted by racism and government policies that…

5.7

6.4

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Cave of Forgotten Dreams

2010 • 90 min • Box office $6M

Documentary

Filmmaker Werner Herzog receives rare permission to film within the Chauvet caves of southern France. His camera documents the world's oldest known cave paintings, offering a breathtaking look at early human artistry in their original environment.

7.1

7.4

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Britain's Tudor Treasure: A Night at Hampton Court

2015 • 60 min

Lucy Worsley and David Starkey commemorate the 500th anniversary of Hampton Court, Britain's best-preserved Tudor building. Built as a lavish retreat by Henry VIII, Hampton Court was the setting for grand royal events, most notably the christening of his long-awaited…

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7.4

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A World on Display: The St. Louis World's Fair of 1904

1994 • 53 min

This film uses firsthand stories from Missourians who attended the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, alongside interviews with historians, historic film footage, and photographs, to explore the fair's place within American society at the dawn of the 20th century. It…

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Culloden

1964 • 69 min

TV Movie, War, History

On April 16th, 1746, the Battle of Culloden in the Scottish Highlands resulted in a devastating defeat for Great Britain. The chaotic battle was characterized by poor strategy and extreme violence, causing widespread suffering and loss. The film examines the…

7.4

7.8

The Unknown Marx Brothers

1993 • 120 min

This film celebrates the lives and careers of the Marx Brothers, featuring rare archival footage and personal interviews.

5.4

7.5

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Finding Atlantis

2011 • 60 min

"Finding Atlantis," a National Geographic Channel film hosted by Professor Richard Freund of Hartford University, explores a quest to locate the legendary lost city. Freund details his efforts to find Atlantis, long considered myth, using advanced technology like ground-penetrating radar,…

7.2

6.1

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