Culture

The Silk Road

Covering 5,000 miles, passing through 13 countries and crossing some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet, this is the fascinating story of the lucrative trade route which changed the course of civilization forever.

In this extraordinary BBC Silk Road documentary series, Dr Sam Willis explores how the fortunes, ideas and history of the West were shaped and exchanged by travelers from the East.

The Wild West

Heroes, villains and a healthy dose of the pioneer spirit.

Westerns still have an endearing quality that captivates audiences. But is there any truth behind these myths?

Blending fast-paced drama with the latest archaeological, forensic and ballistic research, this American history documentary series brings the Wild West to life, with revelations about iconic figures such as Custer, Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid.

This show is not currently available on BBC Select but see below to browse through more history documentaries available to stream on BBC Select.

Secrets of South America

A fascinating and occasionally disturbing look at the pressures felt by young people in South America today.

Traveling across Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, reporter Billie JD Porter delves into the darker side of life on the continent in this documentary about South America, where beauty and sex are obsessions and teens will go to extreme lengths to get the perfect body or try to exude the perfect life.

This show is not currently available on BBC Select but see below to browse through more global affairs documentaries available to stream on BBC Select.

Secrets of China

How can a country considered one of the most powerful on the planet, with the world’s largest population, still be so unknown? We all have ideas about life in China, but what really goes on there?

Documentary filmmaker Billie JD Porter finds out what’s it like to grow up in the state and what happens if you challenge the status quo. Love and liberty in modern China are investigated in this eye-opening documentary.