Historian James Burke continues his journey through random historical connections that together have shaped our world and provide important clues to our future.
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James Burke
Documentary from 1976 about the Indonesian struggle for independence. Unique archive footage and interviews with former vice-president Mahammed Hatta (the only existing interview with him on film), journalist/writer Johan Fabricius, the physician dr. Abu Hafina, the nationalist youth leader Roelan Abgulgani, dr. P. J. Koets, at the time political adviser of the Lt. Governor-General, the Indonesian generals Nasution and Simaupang, and the planter couple Marsman.
The Vasa was built for war but also to impress the enemy and display power. However, she sank on her maiden voyage, taking about thirty people with her to the depths. Many were rescued from the water by small boats that were in Stockholm’s ström to witness the proud vessel. Today, 400 years later, researchers study this unique time capsule from the early 17th century. How powerful were Vasa’s 64 cannons? Who do the countless, colorful sculptures on the ship actually depict? And the big question: what was the reason the ship sank?
A group of history experts from London's King's College has created this documentary series that tries to assess the key political figures of WWII.
Guided Tour is a television and radio program about the treasures of the Portuguese cultural heritage. Treasures with recognized universal value, pieces that any western country would be proud to integrate into its heritage, and little known to the Portuguese. From a silver goblet with Mozarabic decoration and a thousand years old to a cloister that is referred to as a masterpiece of European Renaissance, passing through a collection of African art classified as one of the best in the world, the nature of objects, their context geographic location and historical time vary from episode to episode.
A one-hour series showcasing documentary films from across the Al Jazeera Network.
In the tradition of WWII-themed graphic novels such as Maus, six remarkable motion comics tell the dramatic stories of the brave people who raised their voices to advocate for Jewish refugees victimized by the Nazis
The history of mankind is a never-ending story of change, revolution, and evolution, but surely no span of a hundred years can claim to have changed the world so dramatically as the Twentieth Century. In this series we examine the 101 Events which, in the judgment of experts, including those who contribute to the series, most influentially shaped the century, our world, and our way of life.
For Palestinians, 1948 marks the “Nakba” or “catastrophe”, when hundreds of thousands were forced out of their homes. For Israelis, the same year marks the creation of their own state. This four-part series attempts to present an understanding of the events of the past that are still shaping the present.
The series covers the life and work of leading science fiction authors of the last couple of centuries. It depicts how they predicted and, accordingly, influenced the development of scientific advancements by inspiring many readers to assist in transforming those futuristic visions into everyday reality.
Spectacular crimes in German criminal history: Investigators and experts explain the possibilities and limitations of investigative work at that time – and why the cases still amaze today.
Collectibles are evaluated and sold to help raise money for special projects.
The great story of our country. About the people and forces that shaped it - from the Ice Age to the present day. Simon J Berger is the narrator of the series. The program series consists of ten parts and is based on reconstructions of historical events and people. Over 300 experts have contributed to the content and 100 of them appear in the series. The series' signature melody is composed by Ludwig Göransson and Per-Gunnar Juliusson.
In the spring of 1798, Napoleon set out with 38,000 men and 10,000 sailors to conquer Egypt.
Through interviews with historians, architects, archaeologists and local organizations, this documentary series describes the history of Casablanca, from its origins to the present day.
Adventurer Josh Gates travels through history on a search to uncover new evidence and answers to the world’s most captivating and unexplained mysteries.
A murder that obsessed the nation, and a disappearance that's mystified police for 50 years. Is the son of victim Sandra Rivett about to solve the case of the fugitive aristocrat?
A series about the history of Africa with Basil Davidson. It was produced in a collaboration between Channel 4, the Nigerian Television Authority and RM Arts in 1984 and consisted of eight parts in four episodes. The film received the Gold Award from the 1984 International Film and Television Festival of New York. Each part is around an hour long.
TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.
Don Wildman unearths relics from the world's greatest institutions to reveal secrets from the past. He examines each artifact to illuminate history's most incredible triumphs, sensational crimes and bizarre encounters.
Infographics and archival footage deliver bite-size history lessons on scientific breakthroughs, social movements and world-changing discoveries.
An insider's look at the engineering and scientific miracles behind the things that form the modern world.
An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.
Award-winning actor and nervous explorer Eugene Levy steps out of his comfort zone for a whirlwind tour of the world's most beautiful and intriguing destinations.
American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.
Explore the surprising things we know (and don’t know) about why people are the way they are through expert interviews, rare footage from historical experiments, and brand-new, ground-breaking demonstrations of human nature at work.
Through the prism of Jeff Goldblum's always inquisitive and highly entertaining mind, nothing is as it seems. Each episode is centered around something we all love — like sneakers or ice cream — as Jeff pulls the thread on these deceptively familiar objects and unravels a wonderful world of astonishing connections, fascinating science and history, amazing people, and a whole lot of surprising big ideas and insights.
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987. The older version featured historical figures such as Helen Keller and Mark Twain, or long-dead entertainment figures such as Will Rogers or John Barrymore. The A&E series has placed the emphasis on such people as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Plácido Domingo, Freddie Mercury, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Eric Clapton, Pope John Paul II, Gene Tierney, Selena, Diego Rivera, Mao Zedong and Queen Elizabeth II, and fictional characters like The Phantom, Superman, Hamlet, Betty Boop, and Santa Claus. The program ended up profiling enough figures that in 1999, A&E spun it off into an entire network, The Biography Channel.
The history of the sport of baseball in America, told through archival photos, film footage, and the words of those who contributed to the game in each era. Writers, historians, players, baseball personnel, and fans review key events and the significance of the game in America's history.
Explores WWII from Germany's invasion of Poland through the atomic age, examining pivotal battles, wartime leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt, and the human cost of total war.
A worldwide guided tour of the greatest movies ever made and the story of international cinema through the history of cinematic innovation.
Actor Zac Efron journeys around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien in a travel show that explores healthy, sustainable ways to live.
Sir Kenneth Clark guides us through the ages exploring the glorious rise of civilisation in western man. Beginning with the bleakness of the dark ages to the present day, we consider civilisation's articulations and expressions in some of man's finest works of art.
This docuseries takes an unprecedented look at the enduring and influential legacy of DC, allowing fans to rediscover the universe of characters, as well as the iconic comic book company’s origins, its evolution and its nearly nine-decade cultural impact across every artistic medium.
Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
Doctor Who Confidential is a documentary to complement the revival of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Each episode was broadcast on BBC Three on Saturdays, immediately after the broadcast of the weekly television episode on BBC One. The running time of the first two series was 30 minutes, being extended to 45 minutes in the third. BBC Three also broadcast a cut-down edition of the programme, lasting 15 minutes, shown after the repeats on Sundays and Fridays and after the weekday evening repeats of earlier seasons.
Explore Marvel’s rich legacy of pioneering characters, creators and storytelling to reflect the world outside your window. Each documentary, helmed by a unique filmmaker, showcases the intersections of storytelling, pop culture, and fandom within the Marvel Universe.
In a tumultuous era, 1971 was a year of musical innovation and rebirth fueled by the political and cultural upheaval of the time. Stars reached new heights, fresh talent exploded onto the scene, and boundaries expanded like never before.