Topic does not matter. I like to learn. Have lots of time now.

Senna

Two very different choices:

* The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (about the Donkey Kong world record)

* The Farthest (about the Voyager missions)

Beware of Mr. Baker, about Ginger Baker, the drummer from Cream, is fascinating. He's practically the definition of the mad genius.

In my opinion, the master of documentaries is Errol Morris. I favor his earlier work- Gates of Heaven; Vernon, Florida; The Thin Blue Line; A Brief History of Time; The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara.

Were I forced to choose one only, it would be The Thin Blue Line, which is about the murder of a Dallas, Texas police officer in the 1970s. The story itself is compelling, but Morris' way of telling it is what makes this a unique documentary. I could expand on that but I don't want to spoil the experience of seeing the film.

Second on the list would be Vernon, Florida, and in this documentary, Morris demonstrates not only a faculty for drawing people out in conversation, but more than that, Morris shows that he has an ultra-keen sense of to whom he should talk. I had a friend many years ago who loved this film and habitually quoted/imitated the turkey hunter from the film.

If you have an interest in American history and the Vietam War, you should seek out The Fog of War, in which Morris simply sits and talks to Robert McNamara. Whether or not you agree with McNamara's perspective, the interview is remarkable.

That should get you started.

Thank you!

If you're interested in the classical world, check out Mary Beard's videos on YouTube. She's a delightful, brilliant, potty-mouthed old bitch who taught Classics at the University of Cambridge. She's done a bunch of documentaries. This one will get you started:



Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUNe61Kyigc

Spitfire: The Plane That Saved The World. On NetFlix.

D.A. Pennebaker's film on Bob Dylan Don't Look Back released in 1967.

quote:

If you're interested in the classical world, check out Mary Beard's videos on YouTube. She's a delightful, brilliant, potty-mouthed old bitch who taught Classics at the University of Cambridge. She's done a bunch of documentaries. This one will get you started

^^^^^^^^^
Fascinating. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:She's a delightful, brilliant, potty-mouthed old bitch who taught Classics at the University of Cambridge.

LMAO!
Mary is awesome!

https://www.theguardian.com/fi...6/dec/17/documentary

This was cool: Deep Water


Deep Water is an engrossing documentary about the tragic Donald Crowhurst, the nautical instrument-maker who entered the Sunday Times-sponsored non-stop, single-handed round-the-world yacht race in 1968. His innovative boat was inadequate and he was an inexperienced sailor, but he had a family to support, and was desperate for money and fame. A Fleet Street hungry for human interest stories was persuaded to turn him into a popular hero even before he set off. Rather than turn back and confront bankruptcy, Crowhurst faked his log and sent bogus messages about his speed and position. But he never left the Atlantic. Deranged after months alone at sea, unable to face exposure and humiliation, he jumped overboard, leaving a diary of the real voyage alongside the fake log. His body was never found.

It's a fascinating story, well and sympathetically told. It is a pity, however, that the co-directors make no mention of the role played by the late Nicholas Tomalin in discovering and interpreting the log and diary, or the definitive book, The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, that Tomalin and Ron Hall published in 1970. Their book inspired Robert Stone's remarkable novel Outerbridge Reach.

Recently I've watched Walking Through History and Time Team. They are multi-season productions that focus on history and archaeology in the U.K. and explore a different area in each episode.

PBS documentary The Flu That Killed 50 Million. About the 1918 pandemic. Ominous and earily prophetic in light of current events.

quote:

If you're interested in the classical world, check out Mary Beard's videos on YouTube. She's a delightful, brilliant, potty-mouthed old bitch who taught Classics at the University of Cambridge. She's done a bunch of documentaries

^^^^^^^^^^^
Wished she taught Western Civ. when I was in college. Learned a lot. Studied the common people is what got me. Also watching Thin Blue Line as suggested above. Both are great.

A great one, if you can find it anywhere, is The Ascent of Man narrated and written by Doctor Jacob Bronowski

The Pyramid Code by Dr. Carmen Boulter - it talks about the ancient Egyptians and their technology - how it wasn't Aliens, just smart people.

The Pyramid Code

How the Universe Works narrated by Mike Rowe is one of my favorites and is extremely well done.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Spitfire: The Plane That Saved The World. On NetFlix.

Spectacular opening scene and a great production. Really enjoyed this one.

I'll add Hoaxed to the list. Really insightful and thought provoking.

How about Blue Planet , Blue Planet II & Planet Earth from the BBC (I think it's on Netflix or Amazon Prime) narrated by David Attenborough. Stunning photography and educational to boot.