Author Topic: Awesome documentaries thread (Read 286517 times)

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #560 on:** January 8, 2015, 07:26:19 pm »

I am currently doing a research (for my personal interest) on the Mongolian Empire. Are there any documentaries that anyone could suggest aprt from the ones on youtube that maybe I can download. Would be of great help.

Mouth · « **Reply #561 on:** January 8, 2015, 07:57:12 pm »

Quote from: Latenight Surfer on January 8, 2015, 07:26:19 pm

I am currently doing a research (for my personal interest) on the Mongolian Empire. Are there any documentaries that anyone could suggest aprt from the ones on youtube that maybe I can download. Would be of great help.

Dan Carlin did several podcasts about them. I haven't listened to them yet, but intend to. They are meant to be very good.

There's 4 of them https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dan+Carlin%27s+Hardcore+History+Show+43+-+Wrath+of+the+Khans

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #562 on:** January 8, 2015, 08:08:01 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on January 8, 2015, 07:57:12 pm

Dan Carlin did several podcasts about them. I haven't listened to them yet, but intend to. They are meant to be very good.

There's 4 of them https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dan+Carlin%27s+Hardcore+History+Show+43+-+Wrath+of+the+Khans

Wow. This is just the kind of stuff I was looking for, thanks a ton mate.

electricghost · « **Reply #563 on:** January 8, 2015, 08:45:36 pm »

Quote from: Latenight Surfer on January 8, 2015, 07:26:19 pm

I am currently doing a research (for my personal interest) on the Mongolian Empire. Are there any documentaries that anyone could suggest aprt from the ones on youtube that maybe I can download. Would be of great help.

The Carlin podcasts are superb

I know you said not youtube , but this is worth a watch just in case you hadn't come across it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2iyyJ6LHDg

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #564 on:** January 8, 2015, 09:06:08 pm »

Quote from: electricghost on January 8, 2015, 08:45:36 pm

The Carlin podcasts are superb

I know you said not youtube , but this is worth a watch just in case you hadn't come across it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2iyyJ6LHDg

I haven't come across it and it does look interesting and different from the ones I have seen so far on youtube. Thanks mate.

electricghost · « **Reply #565 on:** January 8, 2015, 09:11:49 pm »

Quote from: Latenight Surfer on January 8, 2015, 09:06:08 pm

I haven't come across it and it does look interesting and different from the ones I have seen so far on youtube. Thanks mate.

Welcome

Here is the whole series split into parts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW6cJ12zMI4

jason67 · « **Reply #566 on:** January 13, 2015, 07:57:41 pm »

Quote from: Stevie-A on December 25, 2014, 04:29:30 pm

Just watched TT: Closer to the Edge. Amazing documentary. Guy Martin comes across as a personable prick, but is no less endearing for that. The race footage is bewildering, to ay the least.

Thanks for recommending this mate, really enjoyed it even though I'm not into bike racing.

Not too sure what to make of Guy Martin, think he plays it up a bit.

Redman0151 · « **Reply #567 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:12:41 am »

Just watched the Louis Theroux documentary with the nazis (old). Was incredible the way some of those people really are and how they view the world. Louis is great at questioning these people, when he refused to say whether he was Jewish or not and the guy got angry was great

Max_powers · « **Reply #568 on:** January 14, 2015, 03:44:14 am »

Quote from: Crosby Wych on January 14, 2015, 02:12:41 am

Just watched the Louis Theroux documentary with the nazis (old). Was incredible the way some of those people really are and how they view the world. Louis is great at questioning these people, when he refused to say whether he was Jewish or not and the guy got angry was great

Saw this some time ago, IMO its one of his best ones. What I like about Theroux is that he questions odd ideas and practices but does it in very non confrontational and innocent manner. He comes across as genuinely curious person, almost child like in that respect.

markedasred · « **Reply #569 on:** January 14, 2015, 03:18:14 pm »

Was initially put off by the title of the ongoing BBC series, the Super Rich, but with nothing better on, caught some of one the other night and felt compelled to watch. Very ably presented by Jacques Perretti. It took the perspective that fat scouser on here offered in the arl arses thread, along with the American multi millionaire who wonders why there has been no revolt by the worst off, that trickle down has had no benefit, and we have been giving the wealthiest people a free ride on taxes for no valid reason whatsoever. We have taken the wrong approach for 35 years the economists reckoned in it.

Of course a socialist tendency like mine might be guilty of confirmation bias here, but the facts were all in order.

The concluding implication appeared to be: Get them all up to a fierce tax rate and take their UK based assets (football clubs, mansions etc) until they cough up. We might them all end up with a pension worth having one day!

Trada · « **Reply #570 on:** January 24, 2015, 10:34:47 pm »

If you can watch Night will fall shown on C4 tonight harrowing, moving and shocking.

And well done to them not having any ad breaks during it.

only6times · « **Reply #571 on:** January 25, 2015, 09:28:35 am »

Quote from: Trada on January 24, 2015, 10:34:47 pm

If you can watch Night will fall shown on C4 tonight harrowing, moving and shocking.

And well done to them not having any ad breaks during it.

Powerful as fuck that, gonna sit me lad down and watch it with him.

BBC 4 had one the other night, Freddie's war, get it on the iplayer.

Twelfth Man · « **Reply #572 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:34:04 am »

Quote from: Trada on January 24, 2015, 10:34:47 pm

If you can watch Night will fall shown on C4 tonight harrowing, moving and shocking.

And well done to them not having any ad breaks during it.

Unfathomable horror.

The Gulleysucker · « **Reply #573 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:55:09 am »

Quote from: only5times on January 25, 2015, 09:28:35 am

Powerful as fuck that, gonna sit me lad down and watch it with him.

BBC 4 had one the other night, Freddie's war, get it on the iplayer.

Both superb.

First part of Shoah is on tonight at 7.00pm on BBC4, at over 9 hours, it's been split into two parts, second part next Sunday.

It's in French with subtitles but it's well worth watching. It will make you weep at the sheer horror of it all.

only6times · « **Reply #574 on:** January 25, 2015, 09:09:01 pm »

http://www.sky.com/tv/show/memory-of-the-camps?dcmp=emc-MSW05WEB/ENTPLHD/MemoryoftheCamps

dave 5516 · « **Reply #575 on:** January 25, 2015, 09:17:49 pm »

Quote from: The Gulleysucker on January 25, 2015, 11:55:09 am

Both superb.

First part of Shoah is on tonight at 7.00pm on BBC4, at over 9 hours, it's been split into two parts, second part next Sunday.

It's in French with subtitles but it's well worth watching. It will make you weep at the sheer horror of it all.

One of the greatest films ever made I think...I also think for a film that deals with this subject it a life affirming film.

It's a must see film.

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #576 on:** January 25, 2015, 09:33:18 pm »

I've heard a lot about this documentary but have a lot heard a lot of criticism directed towards it (understandably so as it's a controversial issue) I have decided to watch it now after reading some of the comments here..

RedSince86 · « **Reply #577 on:** January 25, 2015, 09:46:54 pm »

BBC Iplayer has a collection of Horizon documentaries to celebrate 50 years of Horizon.

Essential viewing as there is some fantastic episodes on there.

kennedy81 · « **Reply #578 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:08:32 pm »

Quote from: The Gulleysucker on January 25, 2015, 11:55:09 am

Both superb.

First part of Shoah is on tonight at 7.00pm on BBC4, at over 9 hours, it's been split into two parts, second part next Sunday.

It's in French with subtitles but it's well worth watching. It will make you weep at the sheer horror of it all.

Was watching Shoah tonight. Just an unbelievable piece of work really. Such an important documentary for historical reasons.
The details that the various eye witnesses recall really bring the whole over-whelming horror of it all to life so vividly.

Mouth · « **Reply #579 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:09:41 pm »

Put it in the Brooker thread as well, but might not be seen by all, so...

Bitter Lake by Adam Curtis is up now http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02gyz6b/adam-curtis-bitter-lake

Twelfth Man · « **Reply #580 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:11:41 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on January 25, 2015, 10:09:41 pm

Put it in the Brooker thread as well, but might not be seen by all, so...

Bitter Lake by Adam Curtis is up now http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02gyz6b/adam-curtis-bitter-lake

Cheers for the heads up, was looking out for this.

Trada · « **Reply #581 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:51:14 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on January 25, 2015, 10:09:41 pm

Put it in the Brooker thread as well, but might not be seen by all, so...

Bitter Lake by Adam Curtis is up now http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02gyz6b/adam-curtis-bitter-lake

Totally brilliant so many things I didn't know or have seen before.

And thats just half way.

Trada · « **Reply #582 on:** January 26, 2015, 02:08:37 am »

Bitter Lake truly stunning, First time after watching that I have a grasp of what is going on in the world and why (Saudi).

Not to be watched by anyone who had someone killed in Afghanistan you would just be thinking they died for fucking that.

Learn so many things watching this, I love the use of footage that would usually not be shown because its rough around the edges and the little out takes from interviews like they were just going to interview someone and there is a fly and the soldier kills it and says "just as well this interview is about causalities there's one more"

And giving the Afghans a lecture on contemporary art and Marcel Duchamp urinal is a what the fuck moment.

10/10 for me.

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #583 on:** January 26, 2015, 02:34:14 am »

Quote from: Trada on January 26, 2015, 02:08:37 am

Bitter Lake truly stunning, First time after watching that I have a grasp of what is going on in the world and why (Saudi).

Not to be watched by anyone who had someone killed in Afghanistan you would just be thinking they died for fucking that.

Learn so many things watching this, I love the use of footage that would usually not be shown because its rough around the edges and the little out takes from interviews like they were just going to interview someone and there is a fly and the soldier kills it and says "just as well this interview is about causalities there's one more"

And giving the Afghans a lecture on contemporary art and Marcel Duchamp urinal is a what the fuck moment.

10/10 for me.

Just to put things into perspective how far away from the "land of Zeitgeist documentaries" is this one?

Trada · « **Reply #584 on:** January 26, 2015, 02:45:18 am »

Quote from: Latenight Surfer on January 26, 2015, 02:34:14 am

Just to put things into perspective how far away from the "land of Zeitgeist documentaries" is this one?

I don't even know what that means I guess watch it and make you own mind up.

But its not conspiracy theories seems very solid on facts.starting in the 40's taking it up to Isis. more about how politicians tried to make it all into a fight about good against evil but it in reality its a lot more complicated than that. and some carry up the khyber.

But I will be more than happy to be put right on that if I am wrong.

Trada · « **Reply #585 on:** January 26, 2015, 03:21:23 am »

Quote from: Latenight Surfer on January 26, 2015, 02:34:14 am

Just to put things into perspective how far away from the "land of Zeitgeist documentaries" is this one?

Now you made me watch the first 30 minutes of Zeitgeist the movie before turning the shit off and saving myself from the next 90 minutes.

Mouth · « **Reply #586 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:44:29 am »

Interesting use of space within Bitter Lake.

He did say in the blog post he was going to explore a new way to make a documentary. He really has.

It is different, the large sections of news footage, with no narration, largely no explanation are like abstract art, you can interpret them in lots of ways if you so wish. They are just there, with no explanation these images have a power in themselves. You're not told, you are simply left to watch and see. There is no narration to mash them into meaning or a representation, explaining some kind of theory or tell a specific story. They are just there as things that happened and were captured on film. It leaves you asking questions and thinking about what they mean. Who are those kids? Where and when was this? Why does one of them appear to have blood all over his hands? Whats with the bird? Is this a good time? Is that soldier still alive? Who was shooting? Who just got blown up and why? On and on.

They largely serve to give form to the concept of utter confusion and chaos that grips the world. These images mean nothing, but mean a great deal. Indeed, they are a demonstration that with the right words said over them, the right story, they could mean anything. Its a highly effective way to deliver a thesis and make the final point.

Excellent piece of work. Even if you don't subscribe to the ideas he is presenting, its thought provoking. It raises a lot of questions, both about the past and what the hell is going to happen next.

saoirse08 · « **Reply #587 on:** January 26, 2015, 12:40:44 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on January 26, 2015, 04:44:29 am

Interesting use of space within Bitter Lake.

He did say in the blog post he was going to explore a new way to make a documentary. He really has.

It is different, the large sections of news footage, with no narration, largely no explanation are like abstract art, you can interpret them in lots of ways if you so wish. They are just there, with no explanation these images have a power in themselves. You're not told, you are simply left to watch and see. There is no narration to mash them into meaning or a representation, explaining some kind of theory or tell a specific story. They are just there as things that happened and were captured on film. It leaves you asking questions and thinking about what they mean. Who are those kids? Where and when was this? Why does one of them appear to have blood all over his hands? Whats with the bird? Is this a good time? Is that soldier still alive? Who was shooting? Who just got blown up and why? On and on.

They largely serve to give form to the concept of utter confusion and chaos that grips the world. These images mean nothing, but mean a great deal. Indeed, they are a demonstration that with the right words said over them, the right story, they could mean anything. Its a highly effective way to deliver a thesis and make the final point.

Excellent piece of work. Even if you don't subscribe to the ideas he is presenting, its thought provoking. It raises a lot of questions, both about the past and what the hell is going to happen next.

Interesting. Just by that description, it sounds ace. Wonder if that's part of the reason why it's only available on iplayer? It Felt Like a Kiss was more like a performance art/theatre piece. Don't think that made it on to TV either.

'Mondzz' · « **Reply #588 on:** January 26, 2015, 12:43:45 pm »

West of Memphis -

Boss documentary, follows a murder case in the 90's in the US. Available on netflix.

Shepnois · « **Reply #589 on:** January 26, 2015, 12:51:01 pm »

Quote from: 'Mondzz' on January 26, 2015, 12:43:45 pm

West of Memphis -

Boss documentary, follows a murder case in the 90's in the US. Available on netflix.

Yep its very good, if you're still interested in the case there is a series of 3 docs called Paradise Lost which go into more detail. 1st one from all about the case from the start, their arrests and trial etc. 2nd one about any developments and how theyre getting on in prision, appeals etc and the last one is about any new evidence & the run up to their eventual release, great stuff.

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #590 on:** January 26, 2015, 01:31:40 pm »

Quote from: Trada on January 26, 2015, 03:21:23 am

Now you made me watch the first 30 minutes of Zeitgeist the movie before turning the shit off and saving myself from the next 90 minutes.

It tells me that you've got taste, I will take your review on bitter lake seriously now..

Mouth · « **Reply #591 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:18:08 pm »

Quote from: saoirse08 on January 26, 2015, 12:40:44 pm

Interesting. Just by that description, it sounds ace. Wonder if that's part of the reason why it's only available on iplayer? It Felt Like a Kiss was more like a performance art/theatre piece. Don't think that made it on to TV either.

Yeah its not for tv. That's part of the reason he says he did it.

This is a good piece about it and features him talking about why and how he did it. -

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jan/24/adam-curtis-bitter-lake

People get hung up calling him a conspiracy theorist. Seen it said of this already. That's not what he is doing though.
He has looked at history and what happened, then put together a causational chain of events. A chain which explains and links the short term decisions taken at the time, that lead to these particular developments and events and how the world now sits.
He isn't saying its a conspiracy, that it was all planned. Its the opposite, he is saying there was no long term plan or any long term plans there were, failed and chaos was the result. Simply he's saying all this stuff happened, this is why and how he thinks its all linked.

Its like when he talks about the idea of bring democracy to Afghanistan. He focuses on that, because that's the story he is telling. If you aren't on the ball, you could be forgiven for thinking he is over simplifying the story. Inferring that this and only this is the root cause of all the ills. He isn't, its just that's the story he is telling.
He is aware there was a lot of other stuff going on, lots of other reasons the Russians got involved and reasons the Saudis an Americans did what they did. But by narrowing down the scope to the decisions and ideologies involved in certain decisions, it allows the story to be tight and easier to tell.

Least that's what it seems to me.

As an aside to anyone watching it, its worth watching the Tom Hanks film Charlie Wilsons War, in relation to this. Its a bit rose tinted, but interesting and seen in a new light after watching Bitter Lake. Its actually an enjoyable film, if only for Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance.

jason67 · « **Reply #592 on:** January 26, 2015, 07:54:33 pm »

Quote from: Trada on January 26, 2015, 02:08:37 am

Bitter Lake truly stunning, First time after watching that I have a grasp of what is going on in the world and why (Saudi).

Not to be watched by anyone who had someone killed in Afghanistan you would just be thinking they died for fucking that.

Learn so many things watching this, I love the use of footage that would usually not be shown because its rough around the edges and the little out takes from interviews like they were just going to interview someone and there is a fly and the soldier kills it and says "just as well this interview is about causalities there's one more"

And giving the Afghans a lecture on contemporary art and Marcel Duchamp urinal is a what the fuck moment.

10/10 for me.

Can't really add much more than that, plenty to think about.

It's here for those that don't live in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4UEO-xxfo

RedSince86 · « **Reply #593 on:** January 26, 2015, 07:58:25 pm »

Bitter lake is fantastic viewing.

The style is totally unique and original.

The president karzai convoy in kabul really hits you in the guts,totally unexpected.

The British soldier with the bird was so poignant in the middle of a battlefield.

And the whole shit with Helmand Province was just a PR disaster for the British forces,actually the whole thing of being in such a feudal tribal country of Afghanistan shows that western values will never work there,Macedonians Persians British Soviets and USA all failed in Afghanistan.

Twelfth Man · « **Reply #594 on:** January 26, 2015, 10:09:46 pm »

Enjoyed it. But I think we knew most of the things he alluded to in there. The meeting between the fascist tyrant c*nt Faisal and Roosevelt on Bitter lake was about the only thing I was not aware of. The dumbing down of his central premise rings true. Burial - Come Down To Us interspersed through out the doc is a lovely tune. A guy made a video on YouTube satirising his documentary style, which I think he has taken on board in that there was less narration this time.

Loved the bird footage, the Afghan crowd of men & boys rapt watching that dancing doll gyrating her booty to the sound of Bollywoood and the woman trying to explain Marcel Duchamp's urinal, lovely use of experimental unseen archival footage, quite surreal at times...

Alan_X · « **Reply #595 on:** January 26, 2015, 10:27:54 pm »

Quote from: Twelfth Man on January 26, 2015, 10:09:46 pm

Enjoyed it. But I think we knew most of the things he alluded to in there. The meeting between the fascist tyrant c*nt Faisal and Roosevelt on Bitter lake was about the only thing I was not aware of. The dumbing down of his central premise rings true. Burial - Come Down To Us interspersed through out the doc is a lovely tune. A guy made a video on YouTube satirising his documentary style, which I think he has taken on board in that their was less narration this time.

I agree that if anyone with an interest in these things wouldn't find a lot that was new. It is (I've got ten minutes to watch) a an important film if people take on board his message.

It's an anti-conspiracy theory film. There is no guiding hand behind it all. No shadowy group that have mapped out the narrative. The truth is that it's all about accident, circumstances and opportunity.

As he says, there is no simple narrative, no great fight between good and evil. And as I said in the other thread, one of the gravest mistakes western (and Russian) politicians make is to fail to understand the people they are dealing with.

kennedy81 · « **Reply #596 on:** January 26, 2015, 11:01:10 pm »

Quote from: jason67 on January 26, 2015, 07:54:33 pm

Can't really add much more than that, plenty to think about.

It's here for those that don't live in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4UEO-xxfo

looks like that link is down.

here's another:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1DkiyLH1dc

Latenight Surfer · « **Reply #597 on:** January 27, 2015, 01:24:19 am »

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/x1bX3F7uTrg&x-yt-ts=1421914688&feature=player_embedded&x-yt-cl=84503534" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/x1bX3F7uTrg&x-yt-ts=1421914688&feature=player_embedded&x-yt-cl=84503534</a>

saoirse08 · « **Reply #598 on:** January 27, 2015, 05:08:29 pm »

Watched Bitter Lake last night and thought it was absolutely stunning. Can't really add to what others - esp Mouth, Alan & Twelfth Man - have said. The use of Solaris and Carry On Up The Khyber, as cinematic reference points, added to the the absurdity and profundity of the film, I thought, and exposed the deeply ruinous hubris of both the Russians and British. Some of the footage was beautiful and frightening in equal measure.

The other aspect, the US's (and the West's in general) relationship with Saudi Arabia, and it's unwitting hand in spreading the wahhabist ideology - which had a part in spawning the Taliban, Al Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL or whatever we're call them today!) was deeply ironic too. Every time we filled up our cars, we inadvertently paid for the Saudi's to export this vicious creed. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, socialism was dead, liberal democracy the supposed victor; yet, it's arguable, wahhabist inspired Islamism emerged just as potent and strong as the supposed victor.

Phil M · « **Reply #599 on:** January 27, 2015, 05:14:58 pm »

Quote from: Latenight Surfer on January 27, 2015, 01:24:19 am

?