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Subgenre Sampler

 
One LifeOne Life (2023)
Dir. James Hawes
Feat. Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Flynn
the true story of a London broker Nicholas Winton; who secretly organised the rail transport of hundreds of Jewish children from Nazi occupied Europe…
OppenheimerOppenheimer (2023) Recommended
Dir. Christopher Nolan
Feat. Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon
Christopher Nolan's grand biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the American Physicist credited with being the "father of the atomic…
Shackleton: The Greatest Story of SurvivalShackleton: The Greatest Story of Survival (2023)
The true story of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance, told by the only man ever to have repeated their incredible…
Zone of Interest, TheZone of Interest, The (2023) Recommended
Dir. Jonathan Glazer
Feat. Christian Friedel, Sandra Huller
A Holocaust film quite unlike any other, The Hoss family have moved into their new home in Poland. The camera objectively documents their daily life…
MerkelMerkel (2022) Aro Favourite
Dir. Eva Weber
A fittingly admirable portrait of the one of the great diplomats of modern times, Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany for sixteen years, and most…
Woman King, TheWoman King, The (2022)
Dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood
Feat. Viola Davis, John Boyega
Inspired by true events, this is the remarkable, action–packed story about the all–female unit of warriors who protected the African…
DeliciousDelicious (2021)
Dir. Eric Besnard
Feat. Gregory Gadebois, Isabelle Carré, Benjamin Lavernhe
Sumptuous historical drama set in the world of haute cuisine in 18th century France. As the Revolution dawns, a talented cook who has been sacked…
Raphael: The Young ProdigyRaphael: The Young Prodigy (2021)
Dir. Massimo Ferrari
A documentary about the Italian painter Raphael, and his extraordinary contribution to the short–lived High Renaissance movement of the late…
Pompeii: Sin CityPompeii: Sin City (2020)
A documentary exploring the city of Pompeii and its profound influence on culture and art over the course of human history. Provides an evocative…
#Anne Frank: Parallel Stories#Anne Frank: Parallel Stories (2019)
Dir. Sabina Fedeli, Anna Migotto
Feat. Helen Mirren
Documentary marking the 75th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation, featuring Helen Mirren reading from Anne Frank's diaries and providing a moving…
Apollo 11Apollo 11 (2019) Recommended
Dir. Todd Douglas Miller
A handsomely mounted, meticulously conceived documentary presenting the events of the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon, led by commander Neil…
Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten RomansHorrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans (2019)
Dir. Dominic Brigstocke
Feat. Emilia Jones, Sebastian Croft, Nick Frost
Live action historical farce based on the book and TV series of the same name, about a teenager in the Roman era who is forced to join the Roman Army…
Civilisations (TV Series)Civilisations (TV Series) (2018) Recommended
Inspired by Kenneth Clark's classic documentary series CIVILISATION (1969), this nine–part series tells the story of art from the dawn of human…
Doctor Who (Series 11) [Jodie Whittaker]Doctor Who (Series 11) [Jodie Whittaker] (2018)
Feat. Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole
The Thirteenth Doctor and first Doctor to be a woman, played by Jodie Whittaker, touches down on Earth where she recruits three new friends –…
Looming Tower, The (TV Mini-Series)Looming Tower, The (TV Mini-Series) (2018)
Feat. Jeff Daniels, Tahar Rahim
Mini–series exploring the rivalry between the FBI and the CIA in the lead up to 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan. Based on Lawrence Wright's…
Meeting GorbachevMeeting Gorbachev (2018) Recommended
Dir. Werner Herzog, André Singer
Werner Herzog directs this candid documentary based on three interviews with Mikhail Gorbachev, the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union. With…
PeterlooPeterloo (2018)
Dir. Mike Leigh
Feat. Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, Pearce Quigley
Elaborate historical drama directed by Mike Leigh (MR TURNER), portraying the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where British army forces attacked a…
Studio 54: The DocumentaryStudio 54: The Documentary (2018)
Dir. Matt Tyrnauer
In–depth account of how the world's most famous (and infamous) nightclub, Studio 54, was created by co–owners Ian Schrager and Steve…
The Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam NeillThe Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neill (2018) Recommended
Feat. Sam Neill
250 years after Captain James Cook began his epic exploration of the Pacific, Sam Neill journeys in the wake, uncovering stories that resonate from…
They Shall Not Grow OldThey Shall Not Grow Old (2018) Aro Favourite
Dir. Peter Jackson
Ground–breaking documentary that employs state–of–the–art technology to transform audio and moving image archive footage to…
Alone in BerlinAlone in Berlin (2017)
Dir. Vincent Perez
Feat. Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Bruhl
Earnest resistance drama set in 1940, with Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson as a working class couple who, after learning of their only son's death…
Bitter HarvestBitter Harvest (2017)
Dir. George Mendeluk
Feat. Max Irons, Samantha Barks, Terence Stamp
A modest epic with a romantic centre set against the backdrop of the Holdomor, a death–by–starvation program that ultimately killed…
Britannia (TV Series)Britannia (TV Series) (2017)
Feat. David Morrissey, Kelly Reilly, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
A historical fiction series set in 43AD, following the Roman conquest of Britain and it's opposition by the wild warrior women and powerful Druids of…
ChurchillChurchill (2017)
Dir. Jonathan Teplitzky
Feat. Brian Cox, Miranda Richardson, John Slattery
Brian Cox delivers an impressive performance as iconic Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the days before the D–Day landings in June 1944.
Diana: In Her Own WordsDiana: In Her Own Words (2017)
Credible documentary on Princess Diana, based on unreleased audio interviews from 1991 which reveal her thoughts at a very specific point in her life.
Gunpowder (TV Mini-series)Gunpowder (TV Mini-series) (2017)
Dir. J Blakeson
Feat. Kit Harington, Peter Mullan, Mark Gatiss
Three–part BBC dramatisation of the famous Gunpowder Plot in London of 1605 where activist Guy Fawkes conspires with a group of provincial…
Joanna Lumley's IndiaJoanna Lumley's India (2017)
Feat. Joanna Lumley
Actress and presenter Joanna Lumley, who was born in India in the last days of The Raj, travels back this country to explore it's wildlife, culture,…
King Arthur: Legend of the SwordKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
Dir. Guy Ritchie
Feat. Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Allwyn, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey
Charlie Hunman plays the Arthur of legend, unaware of his royal lineage until drawing the sword Excalibur from the stone. Director Guy Ritchie brings…
Knightfall (TV Series)Knightfall (TV Series) (2017-2019)
Feat. Tom Cullen, Jim Carter
Historical drama series about the Knights Templar, the powerful and mysterious Catholic military order from the middle ages. Made by The History…
Ottoman Lieutenant, TheOttoman Lieutenant, The (2017)
Dir. Joseph Ruben
Feat. Hera Hilmar, Josh Hartnett, Ben Kingsley
Undemanding, old–fashioned wartime romance following the fates of an army Lieutenant and a strong–willed American combat nurse who fall…
Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History (TV Series)Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History (TV Series) (2017) Recommended
An eight–part CNN series that incisively explores the music tied to iconic moments in history. Includes interviews with Pat Benatar, Melissa…
Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, The (TV Series)Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, The (TV Series) (2017)
Feat. Morgan Freeman
6–episode National Geographic TV Series presented by Morgan Freeman, which explores themes central to humanity such as love, belief and power,…
Viceroy's HouseViceroy's House (2017) Recommended
Dir. Gurinder Chadha
Feat. Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Michael Gambon
Another handsome chronicle of Britain's imperial history, this one depicting events of 1947, when Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, was charged…
Victoria and AbdulVictoria and Abdul (Victoria & Abdul) (2017)
Dir. Stephen Frears
Feat. Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Eddie Izzard
The legendary Judi Dench returns to the role of Queen Victoria in this sumptuous story of the unlikely bond between the the aging queen and a young…
1916: The Irish Rebellion1916: The Irish Rebellion (2016) Aro Favourite
Feat. Liam Neeson
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Irish Rebellion, this superb three–part documentary covers the impact of this seminal event.…
Finding AltamiraFinding Altamira (2016)
Dir. Hugh Hudson
Feat. Antonio Banderas, Golshifteh Farahani, Clément Sibony
Antonio Banderas plays Spanish archaeologist Marcelino de Sautuola whose 1879 discovery of the 10,000–year–old cave paintings in the Cave…
Greeks, TheGreeks, The (2016)
Feat. Neil deGrasse Tyson
National Geographic landmark "event series" featuring historians, archaeologists, actors, athletes, scientists and artists all weighing in on the…
Joanna Lumley's JapanJoanna Lumley's Japan (2016)
Feat. Joanna Lumley
British actress and presenter Joanna Lumley continues her series of travel documentaries with a 2,000 mile journey across the four main islands of…
Letters From BaghdadLetters From Baghdad (2016) Recommended
Feat. Tilda Swinton
The complex history of the Middle East and British colonial power is explored in this documentary centered around the remarkable life of British…
Lo And Behold: Reveries of the Connected WorldLo And Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (2016)
Dir. Werner Herzog
Acclaimed Documentarian Werner Herzog approaches the internet as a curious outsider on an exotic vacation. Meeting the digital natives, getting…
Roots (TV Mini-Series)Roots (TV Mini-Series) (2016)
Dir. Phillip Noyce, Mario Van Peebles, Thomas Carter
Feat. Laurence Fishburne, Matthew Goode, Derek Luke
A powerful new adaptation of Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel. This tragic story of resilience is told in four parts covering four…
Story of God, The (TV Series)Story of God, The (TV Series) (2016)
Feat. Morgan Freeman
Ambitious cross–cultural survey of what God means to people and how religion has shaped world history , narrated and produced by Morgan…
Tutankhamun (TV Mini-series)Tutankhamun (TV Mini-series) (2016)
Dir. Peter Webber
Feat. Max Irons, Jonathan Aris, Sam Neill
A four–part dramatisation of how a penniless, ostracised archaeologist named Howard Carter became a household name following his discovery of…
AltheaAlthea (2015)
PBS documentary account of the story of Althea Gibson, a truant from the tough streets of Harlem, who overcame extraordinary odds to becomes the…
Banished (TV Mini-series)Banished (TV Mini-series) (2015)
Feat. Orla Brady, Ewen Bremner, MyAnna Buring
British period drama created by Jimmy McGovern (CRACKER), set in the 18th century in the first penal colony founded by the British in New South…
Cancer - The Emperor of All MaladiesCancer - The Emperor of All Maladies (2015) Recommended
Dir. Barak Goodman
Ken Burns produced this illuminating study of Cancer from its first mention in Egyptian scrolls to the present day medical laboratories where the…
Dawn of Humanity (2015)
National Geographic documentary focusing on a 2013 fossil discovery and the 2–year excavation process that followed, with insights into how…
FrancofoniaFrancofonia (2015) Aro Favourite
Dir. Alexandr Sokurov
Feat. Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Benjamin Utzerath
A richly evocative and insightful historical cine–essay from celebrated dir. Alexander Sokurov (RUSSIAN ARK) that charts the relationship…
Story of China with Michael Wood, The (TV Series)Story of China with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2015) Recommended
Feat. Michael Wood
Veteran historian and broadcaster Michael Wood follows his celebrated Story of India with this in–depth portrait of the most populous country…
From Scotland With LoveFrom Scotland With Love (2014)
Scottish history as told through a vast collection of real home movie and archival footage, this is a charming filmic tapestry of everyday family…
Genius of the Ancient World Genius of the Ancient World (2014)
Historian Bettany Hughes takes a tour through the ancient world and examines the works of three key philosophers, Socrates, Confucious and Buddha.
Great Fire, The (TV Mini-series)Great Fire, The (TV Mini-series) (2014)
Dir. Jon Jones
Feat. Andrew Buchan, Charles Dance, Jack Huston
Vivid dramatisation of The Great Fire of London that details the stories of a city and its people in crisis..
PompeiiPompeii (2014)
Dir. Paul Anderson
Feat. Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning
This inglorious disaster epic from the 'other' Paul Anderson imagines the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in tandem with a hoary Ancient Roman melodrama.
Queen Victoria's Letters: A Monarch UnveiledQueen Victoria's Letters: A Monarch Unveiled (2014)
A.N. Wilson guides the viewer through revealing look at the life of Queen Victoria, told through a selection of the Monarch's correspondences..
12 Years a Slave12 Years a Slave (2013) Aro Favourite
Dir. Steve McQueen
Feat. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti
Steve McQueen (HUNGER, SHAME) directs this powerful historical drama of a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery.
Beyond the EdgeBeyond the Edge (2013) Recommended
Dir. Leanne Pooley
Feat. Chad Moffitt, Sonam Sherpa
Thrilling, definitive docu–drama on Sir Edmund Hillary's historic 1953 scaling of Everest with sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
Bonnie and Clyde (TV Mini-Series)Bonnie and Clyde (TV Mini-Series) (2013)
Dir. Bruce Beresford
Feat. Emile Hirsch, Holliday Grainger, Sarah Hyland
The legend of depression era outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker is given the full treatment in this evocative History Channel drama.
Butler, TheButler, The (2013)
Dir. Lee Daniels
Feat. Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey
A stagy but sincere history of post–war Black America from the point of view of a White House servant (played by Forest Whitaker). It works as…
Da Vinci's Demons (TV Series)Da Vinci's Demons (TV Series) (2013)
Feat. Tom Riley
A lavishly produced historical fantasy which imagines Leonardo da Vinci's life as an artist, inventor and genius. Season One: eight episodes…
German Doctor, TheGerman Doctor, The (2013)
Dir. Lucía Puenzo
Feat. Àlex Brendemühl, Natalia Oreiro
Chilling domestic thriller centred on the Argentine family who lived unknowingly with Josef Mengele, the notorious Auschwitz physician, after he fled…
Killing LincolnKilling Lincoln (2013)
Dir. Adrian Moat
Feat. Billy Campbell
Bill O'Reilly's novel about the assassination of President Lincoln from the point of view of John Wilkes Booth is the basis for this uneven but…
Medieval Lives: Birth, Marriage, DeathMedieval Lives: Birth, Marriage, Death (2013)
Historian Dr Helen Castor examines everyday life for medieval society, from Queens to peasants, and in particular the trials of childbirth in the…
Physician, ThePhysician, The (Der Medicus) (2013)
Dir. Philipp Stölzl
Feat. Tom Payne, Ben Kingsley, Stellan Skarsgard
A historical epic centred on an orphan from an 11th–century English town whose mother died of a mysterious illness, travels to Persia where he…
Richard III: The King in the Car Park & The Unseen StoryRichard III: The King in the Car Park & The Unseen Story (2013)
Dir. Louise Osmond
Feat. Simon Farnaby
In the British town of Leicester, archaeologists unearth the skeleton of a man. The man's spine is deformed. His skull shows signs of violent trauma.…
Secrets of Britain (TV Series)Secrets of Britain (TV Series) (2013)
A PBS–produced series that goes behind the scenes to reveal detailed history and contemporary insights about various British landmarks and…
Spirit of '45, TheSpirit of '45, The (2013) Aro Favourite
Dir. Ken Loach
In this illuminating documentary, Ken Loach movingly celebrates the radical changes during postwar Britain under the new Labour government, which…
Story of the Jews, TheStory of the Jews, The (2013) Recommended
Simon Schama leads this exhaustive five–part documentary series on the Jewish story and experience, from past to present.
Vikings, The (TV Series)Vikings, The (TV Series) (2013)
Going beyond their bloodthirsty reputation, Neil Oliver charts the rise of the Vikings, from their prehistoric Scandinavian homelands to a vast…
Village, The (TV Series)Village, The (TV Series) (2013) Recommended
Feat. John Simm, Maxine Peake, Juliet Stevenson
A gritty riposte to the swell of glossy period dramas, this small scale epic charts the progress of a village of working class characters in early…
Andrew Marr's History of the WorldAndrew Marr's History of the World (2012) Recommended
A 'definitive' account of human history, according to acclaimed British journalist Andrew Marr, filtered through the 'big stories' of the last 70,000…
British, TheBritish, The (2012)
Britain’s tumultuous history is dramatised in this seven–part BBC series looking at the monarchs, leaders, reformers, inventors, pioneers and…
Crusades, TheCrusades, The (2012)
Medieval historian Thomas Asbridge re–examines the religious fanaticism and unspeakable brutality of the 'Holy War', first explored for the BBC…
Dust Bowl, TheDust Bowl, The (2012)
Dir. Ken Burns
The Great Depression and the subsequent decade–long drought experienced by farmers during the 30s forms the basis of this latest historical…
First Crossings (TV Series)First Crossings (TV Series) (2012)
This rugged adventure series literally retraces the steps of New Zealand's pioneer explorers in the intrepid, no–holds–barred style of…
Francesco's Shakespeare in Italy (TV Series)Francesco's Shakespeare in Italy (TV Series) (2012)
Further travels with charismatic Italian architect Francesco da Mosto, here exploring the Bard's great love affair with Italy, with the likes of…
Hyde Park on HudsonHyde Park on Hudson (2012)
Dir. Roger Michell
Feat. Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Colman
Pleasant chronicle of the affair between President Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his distant cousin, Daisy (Laura Linney), which comes to light during…
Labyrinth (TV Mini-Series)Labyrinth (TV Mini-Series) (2012)
Dir. Christopher Smith
Feat. Jessica Brown-Findlay, Vanessa Kirby, John Hurt
The search for the Holy Grail provides the link between two parallel story lines – one set in medieval France, the other during a modern day…
LincolnLincoln (2012)
Dir. Steven Spielberg
Feat. Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn
Daniel Day–Lewis portrays the famed U.S. President between 1861 and 1865 as he dealt with personal demons and politics during the Civil War in…
London: The Modern BabylonLondon: The Modern Babylon (2012) Recommended
Dir. Julien Temple
Julien Temple directs this vast, illuminating portrait of London, charting the story of its immigrants and bohemians from the beginning of the 20th…
She-Wolves: England's Early QueensShe-Wolves: England's Early Queens (2012)
Dr Helen Castor explores the lives of seven queens who challenged male power during medieval and Tudor England in this proto–feminist history…
Story Of Wales, The (TV Series)Story Of Wales, The (TV Series) (2012)
An ambitious, all–encompassing 30,000 year history of Wales, as told by the BBC's Huw Edwards. Covers everything from the Tudor Court, to the…
Titanic (TV Mini-series)Titanic (TV Mini-series) (2012)
Dir. Jon Jones
Feat. Linus Roache, James Wilby, Timothy West
Four–part serial from the pen of DOWNTON ABBEY creator Julian Fellowes that tells the story of the doomed ship through four very different…
What Really Happened: Votes for WomenWhat Really Happened: Votes for Women (2012)
Feat. Sara Wiseman, Craig Hall, Stephen Lovatt
Another edifying take on a key turning point in New Zealand history (following What Really Happened: Waitangi), this Sunday Theatre commission…
Beginning of the Great RevivalBeginning of the Great Revival (The Founding of a Party) (2011)
Dir. Sanping Han, Jianxin Huang
Feat. Andy Lau, Chow Yun-Fat, Daniel Wu
In the tradition of unashamedly jingoistic cinema comes this state–sanctioned celebration of ninety years of Chinese Communist Party rule.…
Bible, The - A HistoryBible, The - A History (2011)
Enlightening, SBS–broadcast examination of the origins and ideas behind "the most influential book ever written."
Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, TheBlack Power Mixtape 1967-1975, The (2011)
Dir. Göran Hugo Olsson
A cache of 16mm footage shot by Swedish reporters investigating the Black Power movement is restored the re–edited with supporting context is…
Civilization: Is the West History?Civilization: Is the West History? (2011)
A compelling overview of the world as we know it, in which historian Niall Ferguson takes us through the ascendancy of Western civilisation via its…
East to WestEast to West (2011)
An epic six part series which traces the birth of civilisation back to the Middle East, arguing that the influence of ancient Greece on world history…
Flowers of War, TheFlowers of War, The (2011)
Dir. Zhang Yimou
Feat. Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Paul Schneider
Dir. Zhang Yimou tackles the Nanking massacre with equal parts grim realism and stylish melodrama – befitting of a lavish wartime epic, less so…
Freedom RidersFreedom Riders (2011)
Dir. Stanley Nelson Jr
A lesser noted, but equally important strain of the American Civil Rights Movement vis–a–vis Rosa Parks's famous bus boycott, this…
Fry's Planet WordFry's Planet Word (2011) Recommended
Dir. John Paul Davidson
Feat. Stephen Fry
This five–part BBC series joins Stephen Fry as he travel's the continents exploring the nuanced diverse world of human language.
J. EdgarJ. Edgar (2011)
Dir. Clint Eastwood
Feat. Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench
Heavyweight biopic from dir. Clint Eastwood, with Leonardo DiCaprio stepping into the shoes of controversial FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, whose…
Mill and the Cross, TheMill and the Cross, The (2011) Recommended
Dir. Lech Majewski
Feat. Rutger Hauer, Michael York, Charlotte Rampling
Polish experimental auteur Lech Majewski offers a breathtaking, elegantly construed anatomy of Pieter Bruegel's epic 1564 painting ''The Procession…
North (TV Series)North (TV Series) (2011)
Feat. Marcus Lush
The ever–endearing Marcus Lush follows up his award–winning SOUTH with this typically offbeat traverse of New Zealand's far…
ProhibitionProhibition (2011)
Dir. Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
Ken Burns focuses on a notorious chapter in American 20th century history – the Prohibition era – in this typically illuminating PBS…
Where Were You?Where Were You? (Events That Changed The World) (2011)
26–episode series that takes some of the most shocking events of the 20th and early 21st century and analyzes how news of their occurrence…
Cave of Forgotten DreamsCave of Forgotten Dreams (2010) Recommended
Dir. Werner Herzog
Although intended to be viewed in 3–D, this extraordinary trip inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France – home to the oldest known…
Churches: How To Read Them (TV Series)Churches: How To Read Them (TV Series) (2010)
Dir. Jonathan Mayo
Six–part series presented by historian and author Richard Taylor, exploring ideas about God, salvation, life and death through visits to some…
Disappearing London - Suggs and the CityDisappearing London - Suggs and the City (2010)
Madness front–man Graham McPherson presents this roving history of London’s unique character and charm via the city’s idiosyncratic…
Engineering An Empire (TV Series)Engineering An Empire (TV Series) (2010)
Dir. Ted Poole
Feat. Peter Weller
The complete series hosted by Peter Weller (Robocop) examines history's greatest societies by reanimating the architectural and engineering feats…
Great Epochs of European Art, TheGreat Epochs of European Art, The (2010)
A detailed, German–produced art history series illustrated by selected masterpieces of architecture, sculpture and painting. In addition to…
Henry The 4th Henry The 4th (Henri 4, Henry of Navarre) (2010)
Dir. Jo Baier
Feat. Julien Boisselier, Joachim Krol
Henry IV (of France) is the subject of this grand and involving German–produced epic, originally conceived as a mini–series framed by the…
LopeLope (The Outlaw) (2010)
Dir. Andrucha Waddington
Feat. Alberto Ammann, Leonor Watling, Pilar López de Ayala
Splendid biopic of Lope de Vega, the Spanish playwright who dominated Spain's early Golden Age of theare.
Michael Wood's Story of EnglandMichael Wood's Story of England (2010)
Feat. Michael Wood
Michael Wood (STORY OF INDIA) embarks on an archeological profile of the village of Kibworth in Leicestershire in this fascinating,…
Nostalgia for the LightNostalgia for the Light (2010) Recommended
Dir. Patricio Guzmán
Famed documentarian Patricio Guzmán directs this mesmerizing journey into Chile’s recent and faraway past through the annals of astronomy,…
Of Gods and MenOf Gods and Men (2010) Recommended
Dir. Xavier Beauvois
Feat. Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier Rabourdin
Residing peacefully in a North African monastery, eight French Christian monks must confront the threat of an Islamic fundamentalist group in this…
Oranges and SunshineOranges and Sunshine (2010)
Dir. Jim Loach
Feat. Hugo Weaving, Emily Watson, David Wenham
Dir. Jim Loach (son of Ken) tackles the scandalous post–war history of Britain's deportation of lower class children to the colonies –…
Royal Upstairs Downstairs (TV Series)Royal Upstairs Downstairs (TV Series) (2010)
The secret lives of British servants and aristocrats are speculated on this prim history series which takes viewers on a tour of the houses and…
Story of Science, TheStory of Science, The (2010)
Passionate overview of the forces that came together to create scientific knowledge. Revealing how scientific ideas have shaped the modern world this…
Turn Back Time (TV Series)Turn Back Time (TV Series) (2010)
Illuminating series that takes a group of modern shopkeepers and has them experience their occupations through differing periods of history beginning…
We BelievedWe Believed (Noi credevamo) (2010)
Dir. Mario Martone
Feat. Luigi Lo Cascio
Period drama set during the repressive Bourbon reign in Italy in 1828, where two aristocrats and a young peasant join Giuseppe Mazzini's Young Italy…
100 Years - 20th Century Almanac100 Years - 20th Century Almanac (2009)
Witness the most significant events of the 20th Century, from the Wright Brothers’ first flight to the moon landing, from WWI to the end of the…
Age Of StupidAge Of Stupid (2009)
Dir. Franny Armstrong
Feat. Pete Postlethwaite
Confronting and dynamic docodrama from the director of McLibel, has Pete Postlethwaite as an archivist in the devastated world of the future, looking…
America Before ColumbusAmerica Before Columbus (2009)
Intriguing revisionist documentary considers America before Columbus stepped ashore in 1492 as an 'Old World', whose inhabitants had built a vast…
Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain (TV Series)Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain (TV Series) (2009) Recommended
Following on from his "History of Modern Britain", Andrew Marr this time overviews the first half of the 20th Century, re–visiting the dramas…
Christianity - A HistoryChristianity - A History (2009)
Reasonably thorough and alternative overview of the origins and divergent paths of Christianity. Eight episodes.
City of Life and DeathCity of Life and Death (2009)
Dir. Chuan Lu
Feat. Ye Liu, Yuanyuan Gao, Hideo Nakaizumi
This first serious depiction of the atrocities wrought on Chinese refugees and soldiers during the occupation of Nanking is a harrowing, expertly…
Darwin's Brave New World (TV Mini-series)Darwin's Brave New World (TV Mini-series) (2009)
Feat. Socratis Otto, Richard Jongejan, Nicola Bowman
Three–part dramatized series tells the story of Charles Darwin and his contemporaries, Joseph Hooker, Thomas Huxley and Alfred Russel Wallace,…
Empire of the WordEmpire of the Word (2009)
Ambitious, page–turning companion piece to THE ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH chronicles the act of reading across five thousand years of history. Host…
Founding of a Republic, TheFounding of a Republic, The (Jian guo da ye) (2009)
Dir. Sanping Han, Jianxin Huang
Feat. Guoqiang Tang, Guoli Zhang, Qing Xu
The People’s Republic of China rolls out the big guns for this 60th anniversary epic, chronicling in big, sweeping gestures, the uprising of Mao…
Hitler's Bodyguard (TV Series)Hitler's Bodyguard (TV Series) (2009)
13–part documentary series offering a thorough, at times incredible, examination of the men who protected Adolf Hitler against numerous…
Horrible Histories (TV Series)Horrible Histories (TV Series) (2009)
Feat. Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Sarah Hadland
Educational irreverance for kids, offering an unconventional take on history's funniest – and most gruesome – moments in a multitude of…
Hunting the Lost SymbolHunting the Lost Symbol (2009)
Dir. John Tindall
Dan Brown–inspired documentary uses the author's blockbusting 'Da Vinci Code' novel as a launching pad to shed light on, among other…
Into the StormInto the Storm (2009) Recommended
Dir. Thaddeus O'Sullivan
Feat. Brendan Gleeson, Janet McTeer, James D'Arcy
Enthralling sequel to HBO's acclaimed THE GATHERING STORM focuses on Winston Churchill's challenging term as Prime Minister during the war, followed…
Paris 1919Paris 1919 (Un traité pour la paix) (2009)
Dir. Paul Cowan
Feat. David Lowe, Paul Bandey, Yan Brian
History–drenched docudrama merging archival footage with live action, examining the tricky negotiations that led to the signing of the Treaty…
South (TV Series) South (TV Series) (2009)
Feat. Marcus Lush
Another "love story" from intrepid broadcaster Marcus Lush, who this time explores the South Island of New Zealand, an area he fell in love with…
Taking WoodstockTaking Woodstock (2009)
Dir. Ang Lee
Feat. Demetri Martin, Imelda Staunton, Henry Goodman
Dir. Ang Lee painstakingly recreates the age of Aquarius for this sprawling yet tepid comedy based on the 'true story' of a Jewish interior designer…
Underbelly - Season 2 (TV Mini-series)Underbelly - Season 2 (TV Mini-series) (A Tale of Two Cities: The Mr Asia Story) (2009) Recommended
Feat. Roy Billing, Anna Hutchison, Matthew Newton
A prequel to the events of the original series, this is loosely based on the hard drug trade that hit New South Wales and Victoria between 1976 and…
Young Victoria, TheYoung Victoria, The (2009) Recommended
Dir. Jean-Marc Vallée
Feat. Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany
Emily Blunt radiates in this elegant if corseted biopic of Queen Victoria's early years as she deals with royal power struggles while being wooed by…
10,000 B.C.10,000 B.C. (2008)
Dir. Roland Emmerich
Feat. Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis
Beasts, behemoths and flesh–eating emus prowl the prehistoric landscape in another of Roland (INDEPENDENCE DAY) Emmerich's effects–heavy…
102 Minutes That Changed America102 Minutes That Changed America (2008)
Dir. Nicole Rittenmeyer, Seth Skundrick
Documentary about the September 11 attacks produced for the History Channel for the seventh anniversary of the events, telling the story using newly…
A History of Scotland (TV Series)A History of Scotland (TV Series) (2008)
A fresh and exhaustive chronology of Scotland's fascinating narrative, full of battles and allegiances, political intrigue and religious conflict.…
A Wall in BerlinA Wall in Berlin (2008)
Illuminating documentary on the history of the Berlin Wall with biggest attraction being the sheer wealth of interviews and footage never seen…
American Future - A History by Simon SchamaAmerican Future - A History by Simon Schama (2008)
Resonant look at the superpower filmed during the run up to the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama with popular historian Simon Schama turning his…
Bank Job, The Bank Job, The (2008) Recommended
Dir. Roger Donaldson
Feat. Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows
Heavy–for–hire Jason Stratham stars in this enjoyable crime caper based around the true story of a robbery in a London bank vault in…
Bridge, TheBridge, The (Die Brücke) (2008)
Dir. Wolfgang Panzer
Feat. Franke Potente, François Goeske, Lars Steinhöfel
Inferior remake of the 1959 film based on the true story of a group of German teenagers who fight to defend a bridge from the approaching allied…
Bush's War Bush's War (2008)
Dir. Michael Kirk
Extensive two–part documentary chronicling the Iraq War from the post 9/11 murmurings and "Weapons of Mass Destruction" allegations through to…
Cadillac RecordsCadillac Records (2008)
Dir. Darnell Martin
Feat. Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union
Flashy interpretation of the rise of the seminal Chess Records, regarded by many as America's greatest blues label. This ensemble piece is more…
Che: Part OneChe: Part One (The Argentine) (2008)
Dir. Steven Soderbergh
Feat. Benicio Del Toro, Julia Ormond, Rodrigo Santoro
An epic undertaking by dir. Steven Soderbergh, this two part resurrection of the Che Guevara legend (played charismatically by Benicio del Toro)…
Che: Part TwoChe: Part Two (Guerilla) (2008)
Dir. Steven Soderbergh
Feat. Benicio Del Toro, Rodrigo Santoro, Demian Bichir
An epic undertaking by dir. Steven Soderbergh, this two part resurrection of the Che Guevara legend (played charismatically by Benicio del Toro)…
Children Of The Silk RoadChildren Of The Silk Road (The Children of Huang Shi) (2008)
Dir. Roger Spottiswoode
Feat. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Chow Yun-Fat
Inspired by real events, this solid WWII epic reveals the story of a young British journalist and Australian nurse who led sixty orphans to safety…
Crips and Bloods: Made in AmericaCrips and Bloods: Made in America (2008)
Dir. Stacy Peralta
Feat. Forest Whitaker
Incisive documentary examining the shared histories and violent rivalries of Los Angeles' most notorious street gangs. Tracing the roots of the…
Devil's Whore, The (TV Mini-series)Devil's Whore, The (TV Mini-series) (Devil's Mistress) (2008)
Dir. Martine Brant, Peter Flannery
Feat. Andrea Riseborough, Dominic West, John Simm
Period romp set during the English Civil War concerning the devilishly manipulative Angelica (Riseborough), and her marriage to revolutionary Thomas…
Duchess, The Duchess, The (2008)
Dir. Saul Dibb
Feat. Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling
Costume connoisseurs will rejoice in the splendour of Keira Knightley’s dazzling dresses and eye–catching cranial plumage in this depiction…
Female AgentsFemale Agents (Les femmes de l'ombre) (2008) Aro Favourite
Dir. Jean-Paul Salome
Feat. Sophie Marceau, Julie Depardieu, Marie Gillain
Substantial, exciting WWII espionage thriller following an all–female commando unit of the French Resistance recruited to rescue a British…
First Australians (TV Series) First Australians (TV Series) (2008)
Dir. Rachel Perkins, Beck Cole
Landmark Australian series produced by top Aboriginal filmmakers tracking the history of Aboriginal culture and the fraught culture clashes between…
Francesco's Mediterranean VoyageFrancesco's Mediterranean Voyage (2008)
Further travels with charismatic Italian architect Francesco da Mosto, here taking us on a lengthy voyage across the Mediterranean in search of…
HungerHunger (2008) Aro Favourite
Dir. Steve McQueen
Feat. Michael Fassbender, Stuart Graham
Combating harrowing subject matter with formal brilliance, this masterful examination of extreme resistance concerns the 1981 IRA hunger strike and…
India RebornIndia Reborn (2008) Recommended
Fascinating and disturbing doco series that looks at India as the next superpower, and the juxtapositions to its mighty wealth that cloud its future…
John AdamsJohn Adams (2008) Recommended
Dir. Tom Hooper
Feat. Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Sarah Polley
Acclaimed miniseries on the life of America's second president and founding father John Adams. Simultaneously epic and intimate this is compulsory…
Living With the EnemyLiving With the Enemy (2008)
Thorough and absorbing History Channel series examines the five year period after the end of World War II, accounting for the events and decisions…
Margaret Thatcher - The Long Walk to Finchley Margaret Thatcher - The Long Walk to Finchley (2008)
Dir. Niall MacCormick
Feat. Geoffrey Palmer, Andrea Riseborough
Appealing political drama focused on Margaret Thatcher's younger years as she attempts to enter parliament despite opposition from the British…
MilkMilk (2008) Recommended
Dir. Gus Van Sant
Feat. Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin
Saying it proud but not too loud, this dramatized biopic of the first openly–elected gay official fittingly tributes the legacy of San…
National Parks, The - America's Best IdeaNational Parks, The - America's Best Idea (2008)
Dir. Ken Burns
Ken Burns offers another weighty tome on American history, this time surveying the country’s 58 majestic, awe–inspiring national parks.…
Nazi Number One: Herman GöringNazi Number One: Herman Göring (2008)
Dir. Guido Knopp
German director Guido Knopp continues his straightforward, biography–centric investigations into all things Nazi with this documentary on…
Of Time and the CityOf Time and the City (2008)
Dir. Terence Davies
Terence Davies (DISTANT VOICES, STILL LIVES) launches a broadside on the transformation of his beloved, bricks–and–mortar Liverpool, in…
Other Boleyn Girl, TheOther Boleyn Girl, The (2008) Recommended
Dir. Justin Chadwick
Feat. Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana
Blue–ribbon adaptation of the best–selling novel by Philippa Gregory, which tells the compulsive true story of sisters Anne and Mary…
Paris - An Insider's GuideParis - An Insider's Guide (2008)
A 3–part BBC documentary series presented by Sandrine Voillet, about the city of Paris and its history. In part one, she visits the Louvre,…
Phantom PunchPhantom Punch (2008)
Dir. Robert Townsend
Feat. Ving Rhames, Stacey Dash, Nicholas Turturro
Adding to the growing canon of boxer biopics, this takes a bull–headed look at the great Sonny Liston's story of…
Richard Dawkins Presents - The Genius of Charles Darwin (TV Series) Richard Dawkins Presents - The Genius of Charles Darwin (TV Series) (2008)
Dir. Russell Barnes
Richard Dawkins finally gets to wax lyrical for a few hours about the love of his life – Charles Darwin in this one–sided documentary…
SaluteSalute (2008)
Dir. Matt Norman
Compelling documentary investigating the untold story of Australian runner – Peter Norman who placed second in the 200m sprint at the 1968…
Ships That Changed the WorldShips That Changed the World (2008)
Compelling three–part series looks back at the engineering, building, sailing, and subsequent fate of three history–making ships…
Tudors, The (TV Series)Tudors, The (TV Series) (2008) Recommended
Feat. Johnathon Rhys-Myers, Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill
Top–rating British costume drama brings to noughties audiences the rollicking, bed–hopping, head–lopping early years of the court…
Underbelly - Season 1 (TV Mini-series)Underbelly - Season 1 (TV Mini-series) (2008) Recommended
Feat. Vince Colosimo, Kevin Harrington
Gritty, unflinching crime series dramatising the Melbourne gangland killings and seedy underworld, featuring Aussie actors who bear a striking…
ValkyrieValkyrie (2008)
Dir. Bryan Singer
Feat. Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson
Hollywood crosses enemy lines with Tom Cruise perversely cast as a disaffected Nazi officer who leads a plot to assassinate Hitler. Dispensing…
Winning World War 1Winning World War 1 (The Western Front Diaries) (2008)
Crucial documentary telling the story of the Australian battalion's influence and impact on winning World War 1 on the Western Front, based on the…
Ancient MegastructuresAncient Megastructures (2007)
National Geographic series extolling mankind's greatest architectural landmarks and their extraordinary feats of construction. Vol 1: The…
Andrew Marr's The History of Modern Britain (TV Series)Andrew Marr's The History of Modern Britain (TV Series) (2007) Recommended
Political commentator Andrew Marr turns his astute focus on the key events that have shaped British society since the end of WWII, including the…
Battle of the Little Bighorn, TheBattle of the Little Bighorn, The (2007)
Ideal introduction to the famous battle where General Custer made his last stand, featuring expert commentary and skillful re–enactments.
Bury My Heart at Wounded KneeBury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)
Dir. Yves Simoneau
Feat. Aidan Quinn, Adam Beach, Anna Paquin
Distinguished HBO western based on the 1970 book of the same name by Dee Brown. A historical drama set in the 1860's and 1870's, the plot…
Captain Cook: Obsession and DiscoveryCaptain Cook: Obsession and Discovery (2007)
Award–winning documentary that examines the controversial legacy of the great explorer Captain James Cook. Hosted by geographer Vanessa…
Chapter 27Chapter 27 (2007)
Dir. J.P. Schaefer
Feat. Jared Leto, Lindsay Lohan
An uneven historical psycho–drama based on events leading up to the infamous shooting of John Lennon by a deranged loner. While laudable…
Chicago 10Chicago 10 (2007)
Dir. Brett Morgen
Unique documentary that splices together archival footage and motion–capture animation to recreate the infamous trial of anti–war…
Francesco's Venice (TV Series)Francesco's Venice (TV Series) (2007)
Italian architect and TV presenter Count Francesco da Mosto goes on a journey back through the history of Venice and discovers how the city came to…
Gangland (TV Series)Gangland (TV Series) (2007)
Hard hitting expose of today's nastiest gangs provides the viewer with both historical context and unprecedented access. Some of the stories are now…
Goodbye BafanaGoodbye Bafana (Color of Freedom) (2007)
Dir. Bille August
Feat. Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Diane Kruger
Nelson Mandela's imprisonment and subsequent friendship with a bigoted Afrikaner prison warden is eavesdropped in this humanist portrait of a crucial…
Here to Stay (TV Series)Here to Stay (TV Series) (2007)
An enlightening, culturally pertinent reference point for the current make up of New Zealand society, this six part series revisits a number of key…
Heritage of Maori SongHeritage of Maori Song (2007)
Comprehensive collection of 15 Maori song and dance performances, including 3 poi dances, stick games, haka and a number of well–known songs…
History of the DevilHistory of the Devil (2007)
Historical doco charting the changing role and face of the devil throughout history by way of factual information and academic interview.
In the Shadow of the MoonIn the Shadow of the Moon (2007) Recommended
Stellar doco reflects on the true story of American astronauts' expeditions into space and the truly remarkable historic achievement of landing on…
James May's 20th Century (TV Series)James May's 20th Century (TV Series) (2007)
Feat. James May
TV presenter James May presents a candid look at the creations of the 20th century; ranging from weaponry to medical breakthroughs and the…
KatynKatyn (2007) Recommended
Dir. Andrzej Wajda
Feat. Maja Ostaszewska, Artur Żmijewski, Pawel Malaszynski
Andrzej Wajda cements himself as Poland’s greatest director with this late–career triumph, a war story addressing the eradication of some…
Last King of Scotland, TheLast King of Scotland, The (2007) Recommended
Dir. Kevin MacDonald
Feat. Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington
A riveting tale of the seductive nature of power, this is worth the admission alone for Forest Whitaker’s astonishing Oscar–winning turn as…
Last Legion, TheLast Legion, The (2007)
Dir. Doug Lefler
Feat. Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai
CGI fantasy dramatising the plight of Rome's last emperor, the child Romulus Augustus, and his protectors – Firth, Kingsley, and Bollywood star…
Lusitania - Murder on the AtlanticLusitania - Murder on the Atlantic (2007)
Dir. Christopher Spencer
Feat. John Hannah, Kenneth Cranham
Historically imperative docu–drama retelling the tragic story of the cruise liner Lusitania that was torpedoed by a German U–Boat off the…
Mighty Heart, AMighty Heart, A (2007) Recommended
Dir. Michael Winterbottom
Feat. Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman
Michael Winterbottom's sober, well–acted docudrama covering the 2002 abduction of Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl by Pakistani…
Miss Marie Lloyd Miss Marie Lloyd (2007)
Dir. James Hawes
Feat. Jessica Wallace, Richard Armitage, Shaun Parkes
Vintage–styled bio–pic dramatising the life of Miss Marie Lloyd – a scandalous Music Hall performer renowned for her lewd songs…
MoliereMoliere (2007) Recommended
Dir. Laurent Tirard
Feat. Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante
Jaunty period rom–com in the spirit of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE speculates on the creative catalysts for the comic masterpieces of famed French…
Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work (TV Series) Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work (TV Series) (2007)
Dir. Matt Reid
In–depth television series spanning a year in the life of the British Royal Family and the myriad of employees that keep the Royal Machine…
MongolMongol (2007) Recommended
Dir. Sergei Bodrov
Feat. Tadanobu Asano
A fiercely–mounted early history of Genghis Khan, from the Mongol leader’s childhood years through to his all–conquering warpath across…
My Boy JackMy Boy Jack (2007) Recommended
Dir. Brian Kirk
Feat. David Haig, Daniel Radcliffe, Kim Cattrall
Haunting WW1 drama based on Rudjard Kipling's poem of the same name based on Kipling's own experience of guilt and consequences after insisting his…
New Orleans: Music in ExileNew Orleans: Music in Exile (2007)
Dir. Robert Mugge
On–the–ground documentary that follows New Orleans musicians as they try to piece their lives and careers back together after the…
No End in SightNo End in Sight (2007) Recommended
Dir. Charles Ferguson
Devastating documentary that comprehensively examines the negligence and political mis–steps that led to the Iraq war. "Traces the…
Oswald's Ghost Oswald's Ghost (2007)
Dir. Robert Stone
This intelligent investigative doco focusing on the chain of events leading up to John F. Kennedy's assassination and the impact it had on America is…
Powder and the Glory, The Powder and the Glory, The (2007)
A welcome insight into two of America's greatest female entrepreneurs – Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein; two immigrants with limited…
Rain of the Children Rain of the Children (2007) Aro Favourite
Dir. Vincent Ward
Feat. Vincent Ward, Rena Owen
Vincent Ward's masterful docu–drama – in which he investigates the 'cursed life' of an elderly Maori woman – is a deeply personal…
Roman Mysteries (TV Series)Roman Mysteries (TV Series) (2007)
Children's mystery series set in 79 AD, Rome, based on a series of kids books that focuses on a group of young friends embarking on crime solving…
Story of India with Michael Wood, The (TV Series)Story of India with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2007) Recommended
Feat. Michael Wood
Acclaimed historian Wood takes to the destination du–jour – India – in order to acknowledge its history and research its…
Story of Ned Kelly, TheStory of Ned Kelly, The (2007)
Feat. Charles Tingwell, Ian Jones
Historically accurate doco tracking the life of the ultimate Aussie rogue Ned Kelly. Aptly led by distinguished Kelly historian / author Ian Jones…
There Will Be BloodThere Will Be Blood (2007) Aro Favourite
Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Feat. Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor
Rising to the challenge, overachiever Paul Thomas Anderson delivers some formidable filmmaking to match his grim, egocentric tale of burning…
Warlords (TV Series)Warlords (TV Series) (Untold Stories of World War II) (2007)
Well–reviewed UK documentary series analyses WWII's big players from a psychological perspective: Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt and…
Amazing GraceAmazing Grace (2006) Recommended
Dir. Michael Apted
Feat. Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Albert Finney
Stirring dramatisation of the true story of 18th–century abolitionist William Wilberforce and his revolt against Britain’s slave…
Ancient Rome (TV Series) Ancient Rome (TV Series) (2006)
Extensive series dramatising the rise and fall of the Ancient Roman Empire through six episodes each presenting a different turning point in the fate…
Battleplan (TV Series)Battleplan (TV Series) (2006)
A comprehensive history and analysis of military strategies, combat tactics, and the art of modern warfare. Across eighteen episodes, historical…
Blame it on Fidel!Blame it on Fidel! (La Faute à Fidel!) (2006) Recommended
Dir. Julie Gavras
Feat. Nina Kervel-Bey, Julie Depardieu, Stefano Accorsi
A warm, wise and wryly observed evocation of a child's accelerated maturation in the midst of early 1970s social and political upheaval, Nina…
Catch a FireCatch a Fire (2006)
Dir. Phillip Noyce
Feat. Tim Robbins, Derek Luke
Sturdy, serious–minded political thriller from the steady hand of dir. Phillip Noyce, couched in the turbulence of South Africa’s Apartheid…
Cats of Mirikitani, The Cats of Mirikitani, The (2006)
Dir. Linda Hattendorf
Tenderly constructed documentary revealing the compelling life of a homeless artist living on the streets of NYC who survived an internment camp,…
CivilisationsCivilisations (2006)
Purporting new insight, this series chronicles four of the most influential ancient civilizations to lay foundations for the world we know today.…
Crown Prince, The (TV Mini-series)Crown Prince, The (TV Mini-series) (Kronprinz Rudolf) (2006)
Dir. Robert Dornhelm
Feat. Max von Thun, Vittoria Puccini, Klaus Maria Brandauer
Sumptuous historical Austrian mini–series based on the Crown Prince's doomed love affair with a baroness, that eventually requires the pair to…
Exodus Decoded, TheExodus Decoded, The (2006)
Dir. Simcha Jacobovici
Speculative historical documentary in the wake of the 'Da Vinci Code' phenomenon that attempts to find a factual basis behind the biblical story of…
Francesco's Italy Top to Toe (TV Series)Francesco's Italy Top to Toe (TV Series) (2006)
Further travels with charismatic Italian architect Francesco da Mosto, here giving a sweeping tour of the art, history and beauty of greater Italy by…
Golden Door, TheGolden Door, The (Nuovomondo) (2006)
Dir. Emanuele Crialese
Feat. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vincenzo Amato
Award–winning Italian drama from the dir. of RESPIRO follows the fortunes of a family of dirt–poor Sicilian peasants, from their homeland…
Hoax, TheHoax, The (2006)
Dir. Lasse Hallstrom
Feat. Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, Marcia Gay Harden
Solid Lasse Hallstrom–directed ‘literary hoax’ recounts the true story of Clifford Irving, a struggling writer allegedly commissioned by…
Life Under Napoleon (TV Series)Life Under Napoleon (TV Series) (2006)
Dir. Georg Schiemann
Broad, challenging historical overview of late 18th/early 19th century Europe, informed by the legacy and reign of French Emperor Napoleon.…
Marie Antoinette: The True Story of the Last Queen of FranceMarie Antoinette: The True Story of the Last Queen of France (2006)
Dir. David Grubin
Exhaustive documentary on French monarchy's infamous last queen and the history behind her extravagant persona which has come to symbolise 18th…
One Giant LeapOne Giant Leap (50 Years of Space Exploration) (2006)
Historical doco covering 50 years of humans being propelled into space. Includes remastered footage from Sputnik all the way through to Apollo and…
Power of Art (TV Series)Power of Art (TV Series) (2006) Aro Favourite
A scholarly, and indeed powerful, roam through art history’s seminal figures, with knowledge imparted by the revered Simon Schama. Disc 1…
Rang De BasantiRang De Basanti (2006)
Dir. Rakesh Omprakash Mehra
Feat. Aamir Khan, Alice Patten
Progressive Bollywood fare bypasses musical melodrama for an overarching tale of history and self–discovery, guided by a British–Indian…
Secret History of 9/11, TheSecret History of 9/11, The (2006)
Dir. Terrence McKenna
A serious–minded Canadian television documentary which details the lead–up to the 9/11 attacks on the NYC World Trade Centre, including…
Shackleton and Scott - Rivals for the PoleShackleton and Scott - Rivals for the Pole (2006)
The intense 'polar' rivalry of Shackleton and Scott is relived in this documentary of the two explorers’ fatal trajectory towards the South Pole.…
Unknown Soldier, TheUnknown Soldier, The (2006)
Dir. Michael Verhoeven
A sobering documentary exploration of the reaction to a museum exhibit in Munich detailing the war crimes and atrocities committed by Nazi Germany's…
War of the World: The New History of the 20th CenturyWar of the World: The New History of the 20th Century (2006)
Eye–opening historical documentary, presented by acclaimed historian Professor Niall Ferguson, challenging how we view and assess the arch of…
What Lies Beneath (TV Series)What Lies Beneath (TV Series) (2006) Recommended
Feat. Simon Dallow
An eight–part series about New Zealand's archaeological heritage, presenting a series of intriguing site studies, with Simon Dallow asking the…
Around the World in 80 TreasuresAround the World in 80 Treasures (2005) Recommended
A fascinating world tour through civilisation's lasting imprint, with historian Dan Cruickshank globetrotting the planet in search of the eighty…
Catherine the GreatCatherine the Great (2005)
Dir. John Burgess, John-Paul Davidson
Made with the help of newly–available documentation from the former Soviet archives, this impressive biopic about the life and times of…
Churchill's BodyguardChurchill's Bodyguard (2005)
Imposing, unprecedented memoir of the life and times of Winston Churchill, adapted from the diaries of his stoic bodyguard, Walter H.…
EmpireEmpire (2005)
Feat. Colm Feore, Emily Blunt, Jonathon Cake
Glossy and occasionally patchy drama which reconstructs the events surrounding the assassination of Julius Caesar (Freore) and the succession of…
Greatest Game Ever Played, TheGreatest Game Ever Played, The (2005)
Dir. Bill Paxton
Feat. Shia LaBeouf, Stephen Dillane
Inspiring Disney drama based on the true story of an ambitious amateur golfer determined to defeat his idols at the 1913 US Open. Shia LaBeouf…
Guns, Germs and SteelGuns, Germs and Steel (2005)
National Geographic TV series in which innovative thinker Jared Diamond outlines his groundbreaking theory of history, which tries to account for the…
Helen of TroyHelen of Troy (2005)
Bettany Hughes based this investigation on her own acclaimed book, which continues the historian’s pursuit of the ‘real’ Helen of Troy. Her…
How Art Made the WorldHow Art Made the World (2005) Recommended
Flying in the face of Simon Schama's higher, learned arts emporium, this illuminating and invigorating study of human nature through art considers…
In Search of Myths and Heroes (TV Series)In Search of Myths and Heroes (TV Series) (2005)
Feat. Michael Woods
BBC presenter Michael Wood explores four of the most famous myths in the world – Shangri–la, the Golden Fleece, the Queen of Sheba, and…
In the Light of the Sun In the Light of the Sun (Alla luce del sole) (2005)
Dir. Roberto Faenza
Feat. Luca Zingaretti
Grave Italian drama, set in a time of increased Mafia terrorism and based on the chain of events that led to the assassination of the Catholic priest…
Nomad - The WarriorNomad - The Warrior (2005)
Dir. Sergei Bodrov, Ivan Passer
Feat. Kuno Becker, Mark Dacascos, Jason Scott Lee
Historical war epic set in Kazakhstan centred around the life of the prophesied warrior destined to unite the Kazakh peoples. With its awkwardly…
Sometimes in AprilSometimes in April (2005)
Dir. Raoul Peck
Feat. Debra Winger, Idris Elba, Oris Erhuero
A worthy HBO dramatisation of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which around one million ethnic 'Tutsis' were slaughtered by ethnic 'Hutu' military and…
Virgin Queen, The (TV Mini-Series) Virgin Queen, The (TV Mini-Series) (2005)
Dir. Coky Giedroyc
Feat. Anne-Marie Duff, Joanne Whalley, Dexter Fletcher
Imprecise yet compelling mini–series portraying the life and loves of the infamously independent Queen Elizabeth I – from her fearful…
Warm SpringsWarm Springs (2005)
Dir. Joseph Sargent
Feat. Kenneth Branagh, Cynthia Nixon, David Paymer
Typically smooth and competent HBO biopic, which dramatises Franklin D. Roosevelt's (Branagh) pre–presidency years, especially the period from…
White Countess, TheWhite Countess, The (2005)
Dir. James Ivory
Feat. Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave
Set in the tumult of 1930s Shanghai, when China was threatened with Japanese invasion, this final Merchant–Ivory production (producer Ismail…
Who Do You Think You Are? (TV Series)Who Do You Think You Are? (TV Series) (2005) Recommended
Celebrated BBC series which explains the 'ins and outs' of researching your own family genealogy through a featured celebrity. Each episode touches…
Why We FightWhy We Fight (2005) Aro Favourite
Dir. Eugene Jarecki
Matching THE FOG OF WAR in terms of impact and cogency, this Sundance–winning doco investigates the long history of American involvement in…
AlexanderAlexander (2004)
Dir. Oliver Stone
Feat. Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer
A valiant, though flawed attempt by dir. Oliver Stone (PLATOON) to depict the life and times of Grecian military commander Alexander the Great,…
Aryan CoupleAryan Couple (2004)
Dir. John Daly
Feat. Martin Landau, Judy Parfitt, Kenny Doughty
Mild World War II drama set in against the backdrop of The Euopa Plan in which in wealthy European Jews traded their riches and property in exchange…
Century of Flight, The (TV Series)Century of Flight, The (TV Series) (2004)
All the accidents and achievements of man’s quest for flight are documented in this unprecedented history of taking to the skies. 26 episodes…
Europe in the Middle AgesEurope in the Middle Ages (2004)
Comprehensive, revisionist history documentary attempts to change perception of the Middle Ages as an era of ‘dark times’, largely through…
Great Moments of the 20th CenturyGreat Moments of the 20th Century (2004)
A newsreel journey through the momentous 20th century, told in three separate parts and narrated by Laura McKenzie. An essential resource for…
Gunpowder Treason and Plot (TV Mini-series)Gunpowder Treason and Plot (TV Mini-series) (2004)
Dir. Gillies MacKinnon
Feat. Robert Carlyle, Richard Coyle, Kevin McKidd
A smokingly violent historical drama, penned by Jimmy McGovern, set around the infamous plot of Guy Fawkes to blow up the English Parliament and the…
Hotel RwandaHotel Rwanda (2004) Aro Favourite
Dir. Terry George
Feat. Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Sophie Okonedo
A deeply affecting expose of the Rwandan conflict of the early 1990s that matches its political conscience with vivid staging and terrific…
Jasmine WomenJasmine Women (Mo li hua kai; Blossoming Jasmine; Jasmine Flower) (2004)
Dir. Yong Hou
Feat. Joan Chen, Wen Jiang, Zhang Ziyi
Intergenerational Chinese weepie about women who are unlucky in love, set during the 1920s, '50s and '80s, and based on the book by Su Tong (also the…
Lost World of Mitchell and Kenyon, TheLost World of Mitchell and Kenyon, The (2004) Recommended
The recent discovery of 800 rolls of early nitrate film on a building site proved a rare cinematic find – turning out to be documentary footage…
Michael King - History ManMichael King - History Man (2004)
Feat. Colin Hogg
A balanced television documentary on acclaimed NZ historian Michael King, made shortly after his untimely death in 2004. Presenter/writer Colin Hogg…
Monarchy (TV Series)Monarchy (TV Series) (2004)
Historical TV Series presented by Dr David Starkey tracing the blood–stained history of the English monarchy covering all the epic battles and…
Operation ValkyrieOperation Valkyrie (Stauffenberg) (2004)
Dir. Jo Baier
Feat. Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur, Hardy Kruger
Highly credible Germanic take on the failed 'Valkyrie' plot to assassinate Hitler favors sobering realism over Hollywood heroism. Made for German…
Roman EmpireRoman Empire (2004)
Overarching three–part documentary series anatomising the rise and spectacular fall of the Roman Empire.
Scared SacredScared Sacred (2004) Recommended
Dir. Velcrow Ripper
Visiting sites of some of the world’s most horrible stories doesn’t seem like a relaxed night’s viewing, but this doco by the interestingly…
Seconds From Disaster (TV Series)Seconds From Disaster (TV Series) (2004)
Compellingly constructed doco series covering some of the most devastating disasters of modern history, each episode opening with a dramatic…
Shake Hands With the DevilShake Hands With the Devil (The Journey of Roméo Dallaire) (2004) Recommended
Dir. Peter Raymont
Arresting account of the deplorable Rwandan genocide, told through the eyes of one of the most controversial figures surrounding the 1994 massacre,…
Trilogy 1: The Weeping MeadowTrilogy 1: The Weeping Meadow (To Livadi pou dakryzei) (2004) Recommended
Dir. Theo Angelopoulos
The first part of an intended trilogy of films dealing with 20th century Greece, this monumental epic depicts the travails of a Greek refugee family…
Worst Jobs in History (TV Series)Worst Jobs in History (TV Series) (2004)
Dir. Brendan Hughes
Feat. Tony Robinson
BLACKADDER’s Tony Robinson (aka Baldrick) takes us through the hardship of British history via the most unenviable jobs imaginable. A tour of…
Augustus (TV Mini-Series) Augustus (TV Mini-Series) (2003)
Dir. Roger Young
Feat. Peter O'Toole, Charlotte Rampling
Peter O'Toole takes on the role of Augustus Caesar in this refreshing series focusing on the time when Augustus stepped into his adopted father's…
Battlefield Britain (TV Series)Battlefield Britain (TV Series) (2003)
Dir. Mary Cranitch
Father–and–son team Peter and Dan Snow explore the history of Britain through a detailed investigation into 8 epoch–making battles…
Best of Youth, TheBest of Youth, The (La Meglio gioventù) (2003) Recommended
Dir. Marco Tullio Giordana
Sprawling and heady Italian saga tracks the lives of two brothers through the idealistic dreams of the 1960s and the long messy aftermath of…
Days That Shook The World (TV Series)Days That Shook The World (TV Series) (2003) Recommended
A monumental overview of the world’s most profound and history–defining events, this tome to humankind's great achievements and failures is…
Give it a WhirlGive it a Whirl (2003) Aro Favourite
An in–depth visual and musical exploration of New Zealand rock 'n' roll stories, from the fledgling sounds of the 1950s to today's…
Hitler - The Rise of EvilHitler - The Rise of Evil (2003)
Dir. Christian Duguay
Feat. Robert Carlyle, Stockard Channing, Peter O'Toole
Somewhat controversial account of Adolf Hitler's rise to power, attempting to fathom his potential for evil–doing. An only…
Killing Hitler (TV Mini-series)Killing Hitler (TV Mini-series) (2003)
Dir. Jeremy Lovering
Feat. Peter McDonald, Kate Ashfield, Kenneth Cranham
Accurate docu–drama merging archival footage with recreations and educated interview to portray and dissect 'Operation Foxley' – a secret…
Lost Prince, TheLost Prince, The (2003) Recommended
Dir. Stephen Poliakoff
Feat. Gina McKee, Miranda Richardson, Bibi Andersson
A sumptuous BBC production concerning Prince John, the youngest son of King George V of England, whose autism and mild epilepsy embarrassed the…
Mandela - The Living LegendMandela - The Living Legend (2003)
Feat. Nelson Mandela
Notable BBC documentary on the former South African President who was imprisoned in the 1960s under the Apartheid regime and survived decades behind…
Ned KellyNed Kelly (2003)
Dir. Gregor Jordan
Feat. Heath Ledger, Naomi Watts, Geoffrey Rush
Australia's most famous bushranger is portrayed with outright sympathy and a large measure of romantic invention in this messy, but not entirely…
Private Life of a Masterpiece, The (TV Series)Private Life of a Masterpiece, The (TV Series) (2003) Recommended
Expansive, all–encompassing art history as tackled by the BBC, canvassing masterpieces from the Renaissance era through to 20th Century works…
Reckoning, TheReckoning, The (2003)
Dir. Paul McGuigan
Feat. Willem Dafoe, Paul Bettany, Vincent Cassel
A sober minded recreation of plague–blasted England of the Middle Ages, with Bettany cowling–up as a monk on the run who falls in with a…
Test, TheTest, The (2003)
Television documentary celebrating 100 years of rugby with New Zealand's All Blacks. Includes interviews with various legends of the game –…
11'09'0111'09'01 (September 11) (2002) Recommended
Dir. Ken Loach, Claude Lelouch, Sean Penn
Feat. Ernest Borgnine
A consistently intriguing omnibus of 11 short films made by various top directors about the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001 in New York –…
9/119/11 (2002) Aro Favourite
Dir. Jules Naudet, Gedeon Naudet, James Hanlon
What started out as an amateur documentary by two French brothers about the New York Fire Department turns into a vital, ground’s–eye view of…
A History of Britain (TV Series)A History of Britain (TV Series) (2002) Recommended
The complete series of Simon Schama's accessible, but provocative look at British history from 3000 BC to 2000 AD. Disc 1 – Beginnings,…
Adventure of English, TheAdventure of English, The (2002) Aro Favourite
Dir. Robert Bee, David Thomas
An involving lesson in linguistics, presenter Melvyn Bragg takes us back to the roots of the English language – which found its genesis in…
Fidel and Che (TV Mini-series)Fidel and Che (TV Mini-series) (Fidel) (2002)
Dir. David Attwood
Feat. Victor Huggo Martin, Gael Garcia Bernal
Fairly balanced exploration of the Cuban Revolution as told through the rise of Fidel Castro, from revolutionary fighter, to popular leader and…
Gathering Storm, TheGathering Storm, The (2002)
Dir. Richard Loncraine
Feat. Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent
Critically acclaimed telemovie depicts the life of Winston Churchill during his 'wilderness years', the turbulent 1930s, centred by a mighty…
Kings and Queens (TV Series)Kings and Queens (TV Series) (2002)
A solid TV documentary series tracing lives and reigns of 12 of England's most influential monarchs. Historian Dr Nigel Spivey draws from an array of…
Live From BaghdadLive From Baghdad (2002)
Dir. Mick Jackson
Feat. Michael Keaton, Helena Bonham Carter, Joshua Leonard
Media drama set in war–time Iraq tracking a gutsy group of CNN journalists who are among the few to choose to remain in Baghdad to capture the…
Rosa Parks Story, TheRosa Parks Story, The (2002)
Dir. Julie Dash
Feat. Angela Bassett, Cicely Tyson, Peter Francis James
A drama based on the life of Mrs. Rosa L. Parks from director Julie Dash (DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST). In America in 1955, her courageous act of…
Russian ArkRussian Ark (2002) Recommended
Dir. Alexandr Sokurov
Distinguised by its dazzling cinematic conceit – 300 years of Russian history staged in the Hermitage Museum (with 2000 extras) and captured in…
Trials of Henry Kissinger, TheTrials of Henry Kissinger, The (2002) Recommended
Dir. Alex Gibney, Eugene Jarecki
A corrosive yet robust investigation that alleges a misuse of power amounting to 'war crimes' by controversial US diplomat Henry Kissinger –…
Weather Underground, TheWeather Underground, The (2002) Aro Favourite
Dir. Sam Green, Bill Siegel
A stimulating, incisive look back at the angry workings of "The Weathermen", a radical splinter faction of the protest movement who were responsible…
Blind Spot: Hitler's SecretaryBlind Spot: Hitler's Secretary (2001) Recommended
Dir. Othmar Schmiderer, Andre Heller
The astonishing true story of Hitler's private secretary, Traudl Junge, who at the age of 80 comes to terms with working alongside unspeakable evil…
Epitaph (TV Series)Epitaph (TV Series) (2001)
Feat. Paul Gittens
TV series that scours the cemeteries of New Zealand for the intriguing, weird and worthy tales of our ancestor's demises. Paul Gittens is the…
Evolution (TV Series)Evolution (TV Series) (2001) Recommended
Thorough and rigorous seven–part PBS series extols – and not without wading into the science vs. religion debate – the virtues of Charles…
JazzJazz (2001) Aro Favourite
Dir. Ken Burns
Sprawling and absorbing documentary series from the maker of THE CIVIL WAR, charting the rising star of jazz during the 20th century, with an…
Celtic Britain (TV Series)Celtic Britain (TV Series) (2000)
Visually splendid three–part series that examines the history of the Celtic lands of Britain, using a mixture of dramatisation and sweeping…
Howard Goodall's Big Bangs (TV Series)Howard Goodall's Big Bangs (TV Series) (2000) Aro Favourite
Feat. Howard Goodall
Presented by affable Brit maestro, Howard Goodall (whose own notable works include the theme tunes to Blackadder and Mr. Bean), this enlightening,…
NurembergNuremberg (2000)
Feat. Alec Baldwin, Jill Hennessy, Brian Cox
This two part miniseries follows the Chief Prosecutor through the Nuremberg Trials of 1945–46.
Our People Our CenturyOur People Our Century (2000) Recommended
Major, award–winning series tells the story of New Zealand and its people throughout the 20th century. Six episodes across three…
Paragraph 175Paragraph 175 (2000)
Dir. Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
An uneasy delve into past atrocities, this bitter–tasting but necessary document of Nazi war crimes goes beyond the oft–told persecution…
Faith Of The Century - A History Of Communism Faith Of The Century - A History Of Communism (1999)
Using fascinating, never–before–seen footage from the national archives of many countries including Russia and France, this documentary…
Federation Federation (1999)
Well–written doco that brings to life the events, personalities and experiences that lead up to the federation of the Australian colonies in…
Millennium (1999)
Dir. Various
Exhaustive history of the last thousand years, taken from the book by Felipe Fernandez–Armesto and presented by CNN. Refreshingly deals not…
New York: A Documentary FilmNew York: A Documentary Film (1999-2003)
Dir. Ric Burns
Grand and compelling PBS portrait of New York City in the vein of Ken Burns's fulsome documentaries (incidentally, directed by younger brother Ric)…
Scarlet Pimpernel, The (Mini Series)Scarlet Pimpernel, The (Mini Series) (1999)
Dir. Simon Langton
Feat. Richard E. Grant, Elizabeth McGovern
A lively television adaptation of the Baroness Orczy's famous novel set around the bloody chaos of post–revolutionary France and one English…
1968: The Year That Shaped a Generation1968: The Year That Shaped a Generation (1998)
Dir. Steve Talbot
Stolid examination of the watershed year filled with familiar images and oft heard soundbites. Key people and events featured include: the…
Barry Humphries - Flashbacks (TV Series)Barry Humphries - Flashbacks (TV Series) (1998)
Feat. Barry Humphries
Iconic Aussie entertainer Barry Humphries and his alter–ego's Dame Edna, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone take us on a journey through a slice…
Cold War (1998)
Dir. Various
With encyclopedia–like detail, this lengthy documentary series analyses every aspect of the Cold War, from the onset of frosty relations…
In the Footsteps of Alexander the GreatIn the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (1997) Recommended
Dir. David Wallace
Following the travails of the Greek military commander who conquered most of Asia Minor, historian Michael Wood explores the traditional story and…
MaboMabo (Mabo: Life of an Island Man) (1997)
Dir. Trevor Graham
Landmark documentary, passionately told, that recounts the extraordinary life story of land activist Eddie Mabo.
Peoples Century (TV Series)Peoples Century (TV Series) (1997) Aro Favourite
Dir. Various
Indispensible BBC TV series covering 20th century history told via the accounts of ordinary people, gives a vivid and sobering taste of world events.…
Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (1997)
Dir. Ken Burns
Feat. Sam Waterston, Blythe Danner, Ossie Davis
Burns "paints an enigmatic portrait of self–contradiction" in this comprehensive and reverential documentary of America's third President,…
Rhodes (TV Mini-series)Rhodes (TV Mini-series) (1996)
Dir. David Drury
Feat. Martin Shaw, Frances Barber, Joe Shaw
Lengthy but worth–it biopic telling the story of Cecil Rhodes, the 19th–Century businessman who was sent to Africa to die, but came back…
Russia - The Missing Years (1996)
A glance at the disturbing facts of the Eastern Front conflict of 1942–43 that resulted in Russian glory at a cost of three million lives.…
West, The (TV Series)West, The (TV Series) (1996) Recommended
Dir. Stephen Ives
Steered by a protégé of documentary–guru Ken Burns (JAZZ), this epic TV–study of the conquest and reshaping of the American West shares…
Churchills, TheChurchills, The (1995)
Dir. Greg Lanning
Composed primarily of archival footage, this profiles Winston Churchill and the role his family played during his time as the nation's leader.…
Crusades, The (TV Series)Crusades, The (TV Series) (1995)
Dir. Alan Ereira, David Wallace
Feat. Terry Jones
The gruesome history of the crusades is covered here in great detail in this BBC production, from the political background to the harsh daily life of…
Lost Civilizations (TV Series)Lost Civilizations (TV Series) (1995)
Historical series covering nearly 7000 years of history over 25 countries. Brought to life with spfx technology and recreated historically accurate…
Trinity and BeyondTrinity and Beyond (1995)
Dir. Peter Kuran
Feat. William Shatner
Solid presentation of the history of the US atomic weapons programme, including interviews and much recently de–classified footage. Narrated by…
BaseballBaseball (1994-2010) Recommended
Dir. Ken Burns
Ken Burns's celebrated documentary transcends its sporting appearance to deliver an elegant and engrossing social history through baseball over 150…
House of Windsor, The (TV Series)House of Windsor, The (TV Series) (1994)
The story of the most famous family in the world – from the reign of the first Windsors, King George V and Queen Mary, to the long rule of…
Time Team (TV Series) Time Team (TV Series) (1994)
Feat. Tony Robinson
Stimulating television series featuring a group of enthusiastic archaeologists unearthing the secrets of British history from overlooked areas of…
From the EastFrom the East (1993)
Dir. Chantal Akerman
Feat. Natalia Chakhovskaia
Travelogue documentary shot on 16mm which describes the lives of people in Poland, Russia and East Germany before the collapse of the Soviet…
Last Bolshevik, TheLast Bolshevik, The (1993)
Dir. Chris Marker
Chris Marker's video essay celebrates the life and work of little known film pioneer Aleksandr Medvedkin to reflect on the legacy of Soviet…
Seven Songs for Malcolm XSeven Songs for Malcolm X (1993)
Dir. John Akomfrah
A tribute to the revolutionary activist compiles interviews with people that knew him and those that know much about him as well as authentic footage…
Tangiwai and Wahine Disasters Tangiwai and Wahine Disasters (1993-2002)
Dir. David Sims, John Carlaw
Released for the first time together on DVD, two in–depth documentaries detailing two of New Zealand's worst transport disasters of the last…
Carry On ColumbusCarry On Columbus (1992)
Dir. Gerald Thomas
Feat. Julian Clary, Rik Mayall, Alexei Sayle
Julian Clary, Rik Mayall and Alexei Sayle, among others, contribute double entendres aplenty to this tribute to that '60s comic institution, the…
Gully-ites, TheGully-ites, The (1992)
Dir. John Anderson
A slice of character–filled life filmed in our own backyard, this is a heartwarming insight into a community with a unique history, capturing…
JFK: Assassination TapesJFK: Assassination Tapes (1992)
Dir. John Barbour
Largely a basis for Oliver Stone's opus, Jim Garrison himself speaks frankly about his investigation into the alleged cover–up surrounding the…
Architecture of DoomArchitecture of Doom (1991)
Dir. Peter Cohen
Uniquely, this study of the Nazi era concentrates on the vast creations of Adolf Hitler’s Masterplan – choreographed rallies, architecture,…
Making Sense of the SixtiesMaking Sense of the Sixties (1991)
Fulsome documentary overview of the turbulent sixties, specifically in context with America, where John F. Kennedy, civil rights, the Vietnam War,…
Rebels in RetrospectRebels in Retrospect (1991)
Dir. Russell Campbell
An inquiry into the aims, methods and achievments of the Progressive Youth Movement, Kiwi political activists in the turbulent '60s.
Berkeley in the SixtiesBerkeley in the Sixties (1990) Recommended
Dir. Mark Kitchell
A lively, dense study of 1960s counter–culture in microcosm, this chronicles the rise and fall of the student movement in a Californian campus…
Civil War, TheCivil War, The (The American Civil War) (1989) Aro Favourite
Dir. Ken Burns
An extraordinary documentary series on the American Civil War, widely recognised as one of the greatest ever made. Using archival photographs,…
Shakers, TheShakers, The (1989)
Dir. Ken Burns
Documentary about the religion often characterised by their ecstatic dancing, pacifism and belief in non–conventional medicine. Ken Burns…
Lord Mountbatten - The Last Viceroy (TV Mini-series)Lord Mountbatten - The Last Viceroy (TV Mini-series) (1986)
Dir. Tom Clegg
Feat. Nicol Williamson, Janet Suzman, Nigel Davenport
Epic mini–series tracing the life and influence of 'Lord Mountbatten' choosing to focus on the final days of the Indian British Empire and his…
Monocled Mutineer, The (TV Mini-series)Monocled Mutineer, The (TV Mini-series) (1986)
Dir. Jim O'Brien
Feat. Paul McGann, Robert Fellows
A four–part BBC historical drama depicting the life of Private Percy Toplis, who supposedly led a British army mutiny against training officers…
Peter the Great (TV Mini-Series)Peter the Great (TV Mini-Series) (1986)
Feat. Maximilian Schell, Vanessa Redgrave, Omar Sharif
Emmy Award–winning mini–series about Peter I, Tsar of Russia from 1682, and his efforts to transform Russia in an "all European" country,…
Burke and WillsBurke and Wills (1985)
Dir. Graeme Clifford
Feat. Jack Thompson, Nigel Havers, Greta Scacchi
True blue Aussie classic chronicling the famous journey of two ill–prepared explorers across the unforgiving outback.
Day the Universe Changed, The (TV Series)Day the Universe Changed, The (TV Series) (1985)
Feat. James Burke
Science historian James Burke's classic 10–part series for the BBC exploring key moments in Western History where new knowledge in science…
Dunera Boys, The (Mini-series)Dunera Boys, The (Mini-series) (1985) Recommended
Dir. Ben Lewin
Feat. Bob Hoskins, Warren Mitchell, Julia Blake
WW2 set mini–series following a group of suspected Jewish spies sent from England to a POW camp in NSW, Australia. Nicely balanced historical…
In Search of the Trojan WarIn Search of the Trojan War (1985)
Dir. Bill Lyons
A thorough, intelligible excavation of Homer’s epic poems and the speculation of a Trojan Society, historian Michael Wood takes us back in time via…
Islands of the EmpireIslands of the Empire (1985) Recommended
Dir. Alister Barry, Rod Prosser, Russell Campbell
Documentary from Wellington production company Vanguard Films (SOMEONE ELSE'S COUNTRY) offering a valuable examination of military relationships…
Mussolini and IMussolini and I (1985)
Dir. Alberto Negrin
Feat. Bob Hoskins, Anthony Hopkins, Susan Sarandon
The last days of Il Duce as embodied by Bob Hoskins in this strong Italian miniseries.
RevolutionRevolution (1985)
Dir. Hugh Hudson
Feat. Al Pacino, Donald Sutherland, Nastassja Kinski
Disastrous epic with Pacino almost committing career suicide as a fur trapper caught in the upheaval of the American Revolution. Some handsome…
By the Sword Divided (TV Series)By the Sword Divided (TV Series) (1983)
Feat. Sharon Maughan, Andrew MacLachlan , Lucy Aston
Classic BBC period drama following the aristocratic Lacey family, whose lives are thrown into turmoil as their political allegiances split during the…
Kennedy (TV Mini-Series)Kennedy (TV Mini-Series) (1983)
Dir. Jim Goddard
Feat. Martin Sheen, Blair Brown, John Shea
Absorbing, detailed biography of the doomed president covering the key events of his brief reign and providing subtle insights into his private life.
I Remember Nelson (TV Mini-series)I Remember Nelson (TV Mini-series) (1982)
Dir. Simon Langton
Feat. Kenneth Colley, Geraldine James
Soap–opera–tinged four–part miniseries taking a look at Naval Officer Lord Horatio Nelson, from the viewpoint of four who knew him…
Nancy Astor (TV Mini-series)Nancy Astor (TV Mini-series) (1982)
Dir. Richard Stroud
Feat. Lisa Harrow, Pierce Brosnan
Rags–to–riches biography of the life of Nancy Astor, the first woman to hold a seat in the house of commons.
Scarlet Pimpernel, The (TV Mini-Series)Scarlet Pimpernel, The (TV Mini-Series) (1982)
Dir. Clive Donner
Feat. Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, Ian McKellen
Top–notch mini–series version of the classic tale of The Scarlet Pimpernel – an English nobleman who lived a double–life…
Bunker, TheBunker, The (1981)
Dir. George Schaefer
Feat. Anthony Hopkins, Richard Jordan, Cliff Gorman
Absorbing account of Hitler's last days spent hiding under Berlin with Hopkins giving one of his finest performances. Somber adaptation of James P.…
Our Heritage (TV Series)Our Heritage (TV Series) (1981)
A unique series of television snippets, in which seven ballads by legendary Waitakere historian Jack Diamond are recited over historical imagery and…
Oppenheimer (TV Mini-series)Oppenheimer (TV Mini-series) (1980)
Dir. Barry Davis
Feat. Sam Waterston, Shane Rimmer, David Suchet
Excellent mini–series starring Waterson as nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who helped build the atomic bomb for the 'Manhattan…
Shogun (Mini Series)Shogun (Mini Series) (1980) Recommended
Dir. Jerry London
Feat. Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune
Exciting TV mini–series version of James Clavell's novel set in Feudal Japan, here in its complete form (DVD) or as a cut–down movie…
Strumpet City (Mini-Series)Strumpet City (Mini-Series) (1980)
Feat. Peter O'Toole, Peter Ustinov
Broad, sweeping Irish history of Dubliners in the early 20th century. Based on James Plunkett’s popular novel.
Dick Turpin (TV Series)Dick Turpin (TV Series) (1979)
Feat. Richard O'Sullivan, Alfie Bass
Historical adventure series about the real–life 18th century highwayman Dick Turpin and his "Robin Hood" thieving of the rich to give to the…
Hitler - A Film From GermanyHitler - A Film From Germany (1978) Recommended
Dir. Hans-Jurgen Syberberg
An epic and highly original exploration of the sources of German fascism, in which experimentalist dir. Syberberg weaves a tapestry of surreal…
Frost/Nixon Watergate InterviewsFrost/Nixon Watergate Interviews (1977)
Dir. Jorn Winther
Feat. David Frost, Richard Nixon
The legendary 28 hour interview between the charismatic David Frost and former President Richard Nixon is touted as the greatest political interview…
Hunter's Gold (TV Series)Hunter's Gold (TV Series) (1976)
Feat. Ken Blackburn, Andrew Hawthorn, Ian Mune
Classic kidult series follows young Scott Hunter as he searches for his father amidst the Otago Gold Rush in thismagnificent recreation of early New…
WinstanleyWinstanley (1975) Recommended
Dir. Kevin Brownlow, Andrew Mollo
Feat. Miles Halliwell, Jerome Willis, Terry Higgins
The dramatized history of a Reformation–era religious sect called the Diggers. A nonviolent aggregation, the Diggers are devoted to tilling the…
General Idi Amin DadaGeneral Idi Amin Dada (A Self Portrait) (1974)
Dir. Barbet Schroeder
General Idi Amin Dada’s narcissism is serviced willingly by an intrigued Barbet Schroeder, focusing his camera on the lunatic dictator during his…
Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (TV Mini-Series)Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (TV Mini-Series) (1974)
Dir. James Cellan Jones
Feat. Lee Remick, Warren Clarke, Barbara Parkins
Rightly acclaimed series that reveals the fascinating life of the Lady Randolph Churchill, and mother of Winston. Adroitly scripted and acted –…
Ascent of Man, The (TV Series)Ascent of Man, The (TV Series) (1973) Recommended
Feat. Jacob Bronowski
Renowned TV series from the era of epic–length documentaries, this analyses the progress of mankind through scientific and technological…
Mururoa 1973Mururoa 1973 (1973)
Dir. Alister Barry
Documentary filmed on the protest boat "The Fri" which visited Mururoa Atoll in 1973 to protest the testing of nuclear weapons by the French…
SwastikaSwastika (1973)
Dir. Lutz Becker, Phillipe Mora
Consisting solely of startling archival footage, this documentary portrait of the era of Adolf Hitler's domination of Nazi Germany, eschews narration…
World At War, TheWorld At War, The (1973) Recommended
Epic – both in length and scope – series that comprehensively examines the second World War. Assembling a vast array of rare footage and…
Alistair Cooke's America (TV Series)Alistair Cooke's America (TV Series) (1972) Recommended
Feat. Alistair Cooke
Considered one of the great TV documentary series, this is English broadcaster Cooke's personal view of American history and its teeming,…
Edwardians, TheEdwardians, The (1972) Recommended
Dir. John Howard Davies, James Cellan Jones, Alan Clarke
Feat. Anthony Hopkins, Timothy West, Robert Powell
Superb examination of eight famous Edwardians who helped shape the early 20th century. Impeccably presented and directed by some of the BBC's finest…
Rossellini's History Films: Renaissance and EnlightenmentRossellini's History Films: Renaissance and Enlightenment (The Age of the Medici, Cartesius, Blaise Pascal) (1972-1974)
Dir. Roberto Rossellini
Three TV films about some of the western world's major figures and moments, from Italian master Roberto Rossellini in the final phase of his…
Carry On Up the JungleCarry On Up the Jungle (1970)
Dir. Gerald Thomas
Feat. Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey
The 'Carry On' crew encounter familiar humour in darkest Africa, shipping the concept to the days of the British Raj.
Six Wives of Henry VIII, The (TV Mini-Series) Six Wives of Henry VIII, The (TV Mini-Series) (1970)
Feat. Keith Michell, Rosalie Crutchley, Jane Seymour
Accurate BAFTA–winning TV series chronicling the life of the notorious Henry VIII by way of six plays, featuring a notable cast and immaculate…
Civilisation (TV Series)Civilisation (TV Series) (1969) Recommended
"Not a history of the arts, but a history of life–giving beliefs and ideas made visible and audible through the medium of art." Kenneth Clark's…
This is New ZealandThis is New Zealand (1969) Aro Favourite
Dir. Hugh MacDonald
A long–awaited DVD release of the landmark three camera/three projection spectacle, produced by the National Film Unit for the New Zealand…
National Geographic - 125 YearsNational Geographic - 125 Years (1966-2012)
A commemorative boxset featuring the new anniversary documentary, 'Exploring New Frontiers: National Geographic at 125 years', plus a further 11…
Tokyo OlympiadTokyo Olympiad (1965)
Dir. Kon Ichikawa
Ichikawa produced this 'definitive' sports documentary from the output of over a thousand cameras to capture the fascinating human element behind the…
CullodenCulloden (1964) Recommended
Dir. Peter Watkins
A groundbreaking documentary depicting the famous battle in 1746 between the English loyalists and Scottish Jacobites. Re–enacting this…
CrisisCrisis (1963) Recommended
Dir. Robert Drew
Tense account of a key battle in the American Civil Rights movement with President Kennedy locked in a tense negotiation with Alabaman Governor…
Mein KampfMein Kampf (1961)
Dir. Erwin Leiser
Based on the infamous diary of Adolf Hitler, this is an impressive, prudent chronicle of his life, from his formative years through the horrors of…
David and GoliathDavid and Goliath (1960)
Dir. Richard Pottier, Ferdinando Baldi
Feat. Orson Welles, Ivica Pajer, Hilton Edwards
Orson Welles plays King Saul in this adaptation of the biblical story about the unsuspecting shepherd David who is foretold to be the future King by…
PrimaryPrimary (1960) Recommended
Dir. Robert Drew
Landmark documentary captures the charismatic JFK as he contests the Wisconsin Democratic Primary with Hubert Humphrey. One of the first films of…
I Was Monty's Double I Was Monty's Double (1958)
Dir. John Guillermin
Feat. Clifton James, John Mills, Leslie Phillips
Absorbing war drama based on the true story of a man hired to imitate General Montgomery in order to hoodwink the Germans before the North Africa…
Long Gray Line, TheLong Gray Line, The (1955)
Dir. John Ford
Feat. Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, Donald Crisp
Engrossing true life tale of military instructors Marty Maher and his rise to the top of his profession.
Napoleon Napoleon (1955)
Dir. Sacha Guitry
Feat. Daniel Gelin, Raymond Pellegrin, Yves Montand
A somewhat farcical film that suffers from being dubbed into English, over–narration, and the attempt to give a complete account of Napoleon's…
Classic TV Commercials of the 50's 60's & 70'sClassic TV Commercials of the 50's 60's & 70's (1950-1979)
Collection of American TV commercials from the decorous 50's, rampant 60's and radical 70's. Includes ads on every perfect housewifes dream products…
Joan of ArcJoan of Arc (1948)
Dir. Victor Fleming
Feat. Ingrid Bergman, Jose Ferrer, Gene Lockhart
Ingrid Bergman is radiant as the saintly Joan in Fleming's last film, and though perhaps unsuitably theatrical, has been greatly improved by…
OlympiaOlympia (Olympiad) (1936)
Dir. Leni Riefenstahl
Hitler confidant Leni Riefenstahl's legendary recording of the Berlin Olympics when German nationalism and Nazi pride was at fever pitch. A…
Prisoner of Shark Island, ThePrisoner of Shark Island, The (1936) Recommended
Dir. John Ford
Feat. Warner Baxter, Gloria Stuart
Gripping John Ford–directed prison yarn is based on the ordeal of Dr. Samuel Mudd, a famous victim of circumstance who unknowingly cared for…
Land of Promise - The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950Land of Promise - The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950 (1931-1951)
A revealing, 40–strong film archival of British society, culture, work ethic, and nationalism, preserved in documentaries shot during the…
Time to Remember, A - New Zealand EditionTime to Remember, A - New Zealand Edition (Movietone Edition) (1930-1975)
Comprehensive archive of New Zealand Cinesound and Movietone newsreels, from 1930–1975. Surveying five decades of Kiwi history and heritage,…
Time to Remember, A - British Empire Edition Time to Remember, A - British Empire Edition (Movietone Edition) (1920-1980)
Widespread collection of British Empire Movietone newsreels, from 1920–1980. Providing an unbeatable insight into major events in British…
Time to Remember, A - World EditionTime to Remember, A - World Edition (Pathe Edition ) (1900-1980)
World edition of this invaulable newsreel series, compiling segments from the Pathe archives on two World Wars, totalitarianism, the Holocaust,…
CNN: 1991 Year in ReviewCNN: 1991 Year in Review
America's News Network takes a look at a significant year in history – from the Russian revolution and the Gulf war to general events in sport,…
Death Row + Worst Crimes of the 20th Century
Part one looks at the history of capital punishment in America while the second examines four of the most horrific mass murders of this century…
Empires (TV Series)Empires (TV Series)
Epic mini–series series focused on the greatest eras of our time and how they shaped the world as we know it. Directed by respected…
Exiles - The Story Of A Polish JourneyExiles - The Story Of A Polish Journey
Dir. John Anderson
A 30 year old writer and historian endeavours to uncover more about her Polish mother's harrowing life prior to arriving in Wellington in 1944, as…
Maori - Culture, Traditions and HistoryMaori - Culture, Traditions and History
Historical doco presented by NZ historian Don Stafford tracing the history of Maori from their arrival on the fair shores of Aotearoa to traditional…

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