24 Essential History Documentaries

This film recreates the experiences of Canadian soldiers during World War One, featuring a cast comprised of descendants of those who fought in the war.

Following the Soviet Union's fall, a chaotic yet opportunity-rich atmosphere emerged for ambitious young Russian entrepreneurs striving to establish a market economy. Among them, Mikhail Khodorkovsky rose to become Russia's wealthiest man. However, Khodorkovsky's interests extended beyond business; he also…

This documentary details the world's first nuclear attack and its devastating consequences. Over three weeks, from the initial Trinity test to the bombing of Hiroshima, it explores the political decisions leading up to America's use of atomic weapons. Using archival…

"Montezuma," a 2009 BBC documentary film hosted by Dan Snow, explores the rule of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Experts say its construction was so advanced, even today's technology might not allow us to replicate it. Using the newest research…

This film recounts the experiences of the final soldiers to perish in the Great War.

This series chronicles the political events and wars that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and the resulting international crisis. Through interviews with key figures and archival footage, it successfully clarifies a complex and previously difficult-to-understand history, presenting it in…

This documentary examines how the rights of American citizens and immigrants have been restricted following the September 11th attacks and the enactment of the Patriot Act.

Historian Dan Snow joins archaeologist Dr. Sarah Parcak in a quest to find evidence of Vikings in North America. While Dr. Parcak uses advanced technology to search for Viking settlements across the Atlantic, Dan investigates the Vikings' voyages to the…

Colosseum: Rome's Arena of Death is a 2003 BBC docudrama that recounts the true story of Verus, a gladiator who fought in the Colosseum in Rome.

A team of researchers ventures into the remote Amazon rainforest to document the behavior of a newly discovered species of monkey. As they study the primates, they uncover evidence of a complex social structure and surprising intelligence. However, their presence…

This documentary recounts the Battle of Jutland, a major naval engagement fought between Britain and Germany during World War I. The battle occurred on May 31st and June 1st, 1916, in the North Sea off the coast of Denmark. The…

This film exposes the biggest financial deception in history – how money and debt are created and controlled, impacting everyone globally and fueling today’s economic crises. Unless we understand this at a national level, government actions will be ineffective, leading…

In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit performed an illegal walk between the New York World Trade Center towers, then the tallest buildings in the world. He spent nearly an hour on a wire strung 1,350 feet above the city…

This two-part documentary explores Japan's conduct during World War II, focusing on the treatment of Allied prisoners of war. Using Japanese archival footage and interviews with both prisoners and their captors, the film examines the dramatic shift in attitudes towards…

To mark the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's 250th anniversary, Dan Cruickshank explores the unexpected stories behind this iconic place. He journeys from the gardens themselves to the halls of government and the far reaches of the British Empire, assembling Kew's…

Historians Dan Snow, Dr. Alice Roberts, and Dr. Albert Lin explore groundbreaking finds within a vast tomb complex protected by the Terracotta Army of China.

This film examines a pivotal moment in American labor history: the 1973 strike by coal miners at the Brookside Mine in Harlan County, Kentucky, owned by Eastover Mining Company. After the miners sought union representation, the company refused to negotiate…

Historian Dan Snow utilizes cutting-edge satellite technology to uncover hidden aspects of the Roman Empire. He uses these advancements to pinpoint the locations of lost cities, amphitheaters, and military forts.

Hammer Films were consistently the most successful and influential British film company. While famous for their Dracula, Frankenstein, and satanic films, their "Hammer Glamour" series had a significant impact on the 1960s. These epics presented a unique take on history,…

For years, isolated indigenous tribes have lived in the Amazon rainforest, untouched by other communities. This documentary records the first contact made between one of these tribes and the outside world.

This television documentary explores the life of Roman Emperor Hadrian.

This film examines the American prison system, revealing how it reflects the country's ongoing history of racial inequality.