History documentaries
Decades That Defined Us
Once the devastation of two world wars was over, the decades that followed were a period of growth, innovation and turbulence. This social history documentary paints a picture of life during the defining decades of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Using news clips and home movie footage from the time, as well as interviews with world leaders and the general public, see the story of these significant eras.
Royal Wives at War
A family torn apart, a country thrown into crisis and the world plunged into war. 80 years after the abdication crisis of Edward and Mrs. Simpson, this drama-documentary tells the story of a family affair that changed the course of world events. Using the original words of the two women at the center of the battle, the future Queen Mother and divorcee Wallis Simpson, the full scandal is revealed.
Dan Cruickshank's Warsaw: Resurrecting History
Art and architecture historian Dan Cruickshank tells the remarkable history of the renewal and rebuilding of Warsaw after the Second World War. By 1945 Warsaw had been reduced to rubble, with the worst of the devastation caused during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. But then something incredible happened. The people decided to reconstruct the Old Town, using old master paintings as a guide.
The 100 Days That Defined Modern History
In history, 100 days has frequently been all the time needed to cause a defining moment, or to absorb the shattering impact of a great event. This dramatic documentary series reveals the origins and the consequences of these events, revealing unexpected aspects of some of the pivotal moments in modern history. War, revolution, assassination, and political upheaval are all explored.
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II
Ludwig II of Bavaria, known as the Swan King or Dream King, spent his life in pursuit of the ideal of beauty. He instigated exceptional, ornate architectural schemes resulting in three breath-taking castles. Dan Cruickshank explores the rich aesthetic of these fairytale structures. He argues that Ludwig’s castles are more than flamboyant kitsch and are extraordinary marvels.