Documentaries watched in 2023
These are all of the documentaries that I have watched in 2023, in order of viewing.
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- DirectorClaire SavageStarsKevin McNallyEdwina CurrieRobin ButlerA biography of Labour MP John Stonehouse, concentrating on his attempt in 1974 to fake his own death by appearing to drown in the sea. Made to complement the dramatisation Stonehouse (2023) which was shown on the preceding three nights.2⭐
- StarsStephanie HegartyAlbert WatkinsNick NittoliIt's been a year since the mobilizing power of a conspiracy theory nearly brought American democracy to its knees. Stephanie Hegarty has traveled to the US to investigate.5⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorRoger CorkeStarsDev BarrahLuciana BergerMatthew Collins5⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorGary LevaStarsRudy BehlmerAlan K. RodeWilliam FriedkinThe behind the scenes story of how "Casablanca" became an American film classic.8⭐
- StarsDaniel BettsSam BuchananSarah CoatesGrenfell sets out to discover why the devastating fire of 14 June 2017 happened after the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, and who was responsible for the deaths of 72 people.9⭐ - I watched the full series: 2 episodes across 1 season.
- StarsGerald EarlyTodd BoydSalim MuwakkilAn in-depth look at the life of boxer, Muhammad Ali, including his years as an activist and philanthropist.9⭐ - I watched the full series: 4 episodes across 1 season.
- StarsChesa BoudinLondon BreedDuring the first year of the pandemic, San Francisco had more deaths from drug overdoses than Covid. In December the mayor declared a state of emergency in parts of the city.2⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorJames ErskineStarsLinda Lipnack KuehlBillie HolidaySylvia SymsDocumentary on the famed jazz singer Billie Holiday.6⭐
- DirectorJohn O'RourkeStarsPeter SellersSteve CooganBritt EklandTo mark the 40th anniversary of his death, friends, family, colleagues and critics provide an insight into the life of one of the greatest comedians of all time.2⭐
- DirectorUrsula MacfarlaneFeature-length documentary covering one summer weekend of gun violence across the United States, telling the stories of seven families who lives were torn apart through gun crime.7⭐
- DirectorAlmudena Garcia-Parrado Gomez-LoboStarsStacey Dooley2⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorMike BrettArnaud ColinartSteve JamisonStarsLilibet BiutanasevaLitiana BiutanasevaTalei Biutanaseva13 January 2018, Hawaii. Media and text messages inform "ballistic missile threat to Hawaii". For 38 minutes, chaos ensues. The alert will be denied.5⭐
- DirectorMichael DaviesOn the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the assisted passage to Australia scheme, six 'ten pound poms', as they are popularly known, tell the moving, funny and occasionally tragic stories of their lives in Australia.5⭐
- DirectorKath PickStarsLaura MvulaNina SimoneIn a personal tribute, British soul singer Laura Mvula travels to New York to celebrate the Nina Simone songs that mean most to her and explore their musical roots.4⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorEmily CoddlingEddie Hutton-MillsAfi KhanStarsHannah FryRaj AroraLuca BarbarossaCovid-19 is on the rise again in the UK. After multiple lockdowns and more than 197,000 deaths, experts are warning we're now entering a fifth wave of the pandemic. So why are around four million adults in the UK still yet to receive a single dose of the vaccine? In this timely, eye-opening investigation Professor Hannah Fry seeks to understand why so many remain unvaccinated against Covid-19. To fully explore this complex and deeply divisive debate, Hannah brings seven unvaccinated participants together under one roof to unpack long-held opinions, beliefs and fears that have prevented them from getting the vaccine. Together, they meet leading experts, confront the latest science and statistics to emerge in the field, and dissect how misinformation spreads on social media. At the end of the experiment, each contributor is asked if what they have learned has changed their mind, and whether they will now take up the vaccine.5⭐
- StarsVivien HeilbronMoira ArmstrongVivien Heilbron and Moira Armstrong looks back on the BBC Scotland drama series Sunset Song (1971).7⭐
- DirectorDavid M. ThompsonStarsElizabeth McGovernTheda BaraBrigitte BardotDocumentary about the early female movie stars: Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe - immortal goddesses made by Hollywood to reign over the silver screen.2⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- StarsMichael PortilloJonathan WalkerMichael Portillo unearths previously classified documents from The National Archives, discovering fascinating facts about Britain's past.3⭐ - I watched the full series: 10 episodes across 1 season.
- DirectorNick TannerStarsRoger AllamHelen FryDavid Haig-ThomasDocumentary telling the real story of the Cambridge Spies - subject of the drama series A Spy Among Friends.4⭐
- StarsDoris DayChristopher FraylingJames CagneyIn a rare television interview, Doris Day looks back over her successful acting and singing career, and recalls happy memories of working with Rock Hudson, James Cagney, Clark Gable and James Garner.7⭐
- StarsChristopher EcclestonChristopher Eccleston looks back on the iconic drama series Our Friends in the North (1996).7⭐
- StarsEdward AsnerGinger RogersLinwood G. DunnThe history of the major Golden Age of Hollywood film company, RKO Pictures.9⭐ - I watched the full series: 6 episodes across 1 season.
- DirectorAndy TwaddleStarsPauline TurnerThis documentary looks back at the 1993 strike against proposed layoffs at Timex's Camperdown Factory that had run for 47 years.5⭐
- DirectorMark CousinsStarsMark CousinsRod SteigerRob Steiger talks to Mark Cousins about his celebrated roles in On the Waterfront, Dr Zhivago and In the Heat of the Night, and shares anecdotes about James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.9⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorSteve JamesStarsWilliam GatesArthur AgeeEmma GatesA film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.5⭐
- DirectorFranny ArmstrongStarsPete PostlethwaiteJehangir WadiaAlvin DuVernayA future archivist looks at old footage from the year 2008 to understand why humankind failed to address climate change.8⭐
- DirectorJohn HoldsworthStarsPatricia HodgeMarina LitvinenkoDocumentary detailing events surrounding the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. Airing in conjunction with the ITV drama Litvinenko, this is the real story of a murder inquiry and a shocking radiation health emergency.2⭐
- DirectorMark CousinsStarsMark CousinsJanet Leigh8⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- StarsSiân PhillipsSiân Phillips looks back on the iconic drama series How Green Was My Valley (1975).5⭐
- DirectorBen SouthwellStarsEwan McGregorChris BegleyRay MearsSurvival expert Ray Mears takes Ewan McGregor the chance to go on a trek of a lifetime. They go deep into the Honduran jungle in search of a lost civilisation.6⭐
- DirectorMark CousinsStarsMark CousinsDonald SutherlandWith roles in M*A*S*H (1970), Klute (1971) and Klute (1971), Donald Sutherland made his name in some of the outstanding films of the seventies. He has remained one of Hollywood's most versatile actors, and in this programme he talks with Mark Cousins about his life and work.8⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorJeff ZimbalistMichael ZimbalistStarsMaría Ester EscobarFrancisco MaturanaAlexis García V.A look at how the lives of Colombian footballer Andres Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar were intertwined, alongside the mysterious events that led to Andres' murder in 1994.7⭐
- DirectorSimon Napier-BellStarsGeorge MichaelAndrew RidgeleyTom RobinsonThis is by far the most definitive feature documentary of George Michael's amazing life, told candidly by fellow musicians and other friends who loved and respected him.5⭐
- DirectorPatrick ReamsStarsKenneth BranaghNeil FarrellNicholas Farrell7⭐
- DirectorOliver MurrayStarsGeorge HarrisonJohn LennonPaul McCartneyChronicling the final Beatles song and its journey to completion, Peter Jackson and his team bring The Fab Four's career full-circle with Now and Then.8⭐
- StarsSylvia SymsOrson WellesA retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by the legendary Hollywood actor and director Orson Welles, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.8⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- DirectorFrancis HanlyStarsHoward GoodallThe BeatlesPaul McCartneyWith visually striking elements and never-heard-before recording session outtakes, award-winning composer and music historian Howard Goodall looks back at the creation and ongoing influence of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".8⭐
- StarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonA look back at some key moments that saw the BBC document The Beatles' journey, including such songs as She Loves You and All You Need Is Love.8⭐
- StarsRobert RedfordSylvia SymsThe career of Robert Redford, one of the big screen's greatest heartthrobs, is examined in this exploration of the BBC archives, with rarely seen interviews showing that he was always much more than just a pin-up.5⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- StarsSylvia SymsCharlton HestonA retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Oscar winning Hollywood actor Charlton Heston, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.6⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- StarsSylvia SymsBette DavisMichael ParkinsonSome of Hollywood legend Bette Davis' television appearances and interviews are looked back upon. She talks of her life and career.8⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- StarsSylvia SymsDirk BogardeGraham ChapmanSylvia Syms looks back on the great British comedy stars who over the years have had cinema audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter.4⭐ - I only watched this episode. All of the episodes are standalone documentaries.
- StarsBill PatersonMark BeaumontMark Beaumont attempts to journey Alaska, USA to Ushuaia, in southern Argentina, cycling the length of the Rockies and Andes.2⭐ - I watched the full series: 3 episodes across 1 season.