Listmania!
Must see documentaries
Etre Et Avoir [DVD] [2002]Etre Et Avoir [DVD] [2002]
Buy used from: £6.99
Charming documentary about a village school for a wide age-range in a remote area of France.
The Sorrow and the Pity [DVD] [1969]The Sorrow and the Pity [DVD] [1969]
Highly influential documentary looking at France's wartime history, featuring interviews from all sides, collaborationists, resistance fighters, and German soldiers posted to France.
March of the Penguins - Luc Jacquet [DVD] [2005]March of the Penguins - Luc Jacquet [DVD] [2005]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.19
Stunning wildlife documentary. Although actually the best bit for me was the Penguins and Men featurette about the filming of the documentary.
Woodstock: The Director's Cut [1969] [DVD]Woodstock: The Director's Cut [1969] [DVD]
Buy new: £5.88 / Used from: £4.09
The music's wonderful, but as the film progresses it turns into a real social documentary too with the last stages of the film turning from hippie love and freedom to a much harder edged age.
9/11 [DVD] [2002]9/11 [DVD] [2002]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £3.47
I had to include this. The Naudet brothers happened to be in the right place at the right time filming an unrelated documentary when the events of 9/11 unfolded. Straighforward telling, and chilling.
The Year Of The Working Sheep Dog [DVD] [2000]The Year Of The Working Sheep Dog [DVD] [2000]
Buy new: £3.88
Sweet film following a year in the life of a Devonshire sheep farm. The dogs are quite wonderful, and the updates at the end are great.
Apollo 13 - Houston, We've Had A Problem [1995] [DVD]Apollo 13 - Houston, We've Had A Problem [1995] [DVD]
Buy new: £8.98
The documentary behind the film...each time I see it I'm even more amazed that Apollo 13 made it back to land. Inspiring and up-lifting.
Days That Shook The World: Series 1 - 3 Box Set [DVD]Days That Shook The World: Series 1 - 3 Box Set [DVD]
Buy new: £48.67
Absolutely riveting.
Meerkat Manor : Series 1 (4 Disc Box Set) [DVD]Meerkat Manor : Series 1 (4 Disc Box Set) [DVD]
Buy used from: £17.00
An everyday story of Meerkats. Fascinating.
Great Wildlife Moments Introduced by David Attenborough [DVD]Great Wildlife Moments Introduced by David Attenborough [DVD]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £3.44
All the best bits from your favourite wildlife documentaries. Unmissable.
Buena Vista Social Club [DVD] [1999]Buena Vista Social Club [DVD] [1999]
Buy used from: £3.46
Wonderful film - great music, great interviews. Heartwarming.
Volvo Ocean Race - Round The World 2005 - 2006 [DVD]Volvo Ocean Race - Round The World 2005 - 2006 [DVD] by Volvo Ocean Race
This really is life at the extreme. Extreme weather, incredible tension, alternately moving and exhilarating.
The Humphrey Jennings Collection [1942] [DVD]The Humphrey Jennings Collection [1942] [DVD]
Humphrey Jennings was a great director. These are must-see gems of British documentary making.
Touching The Void [DVD] [2003]Touching The Void [DVD] [2003]
Buy used from: £6.05
OK This does use actors, but having said which they don't really say that much, the story unfolds in typically documentary style, and an amazing story it is too. Not just one for mountaineers.