What do wars, sports events, famous people and wildlife have in common? They are all available to us through documentaries. With archival footage, interviews, filming techniques and narration, here are eight documentaries on Netflix that provide a wealth of information and an immersive experience into the issues they are dealing with.
Tour de France Unchained
Emphatic victories. Check. Crushing defeats. Check. Heart-in-your-mouth cycle racing. Check, check, check. The Tour de France remains professional cycle racing’s biggest extravaganza till date, the biggest grand tour, and this eight-episode documentary by Jamie Batten encapsulates the feelings that riders go through riding thousands of kilometres over three weeks. Follow the devastating Tadej Pogacar as he attacks mountain after mountain. Keep a tab on Jonas Vingegaard as he gives chase. Join Wout Van Aert as he celebrates his time trial win.
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared
Remember when an entire plane carrying 239 people inexplicably vanished from the face of the earth in 2014? This three-episode docuseries by Louise Malkinson explores the disappearance of Flight MH370,
flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport. Was it hijacked, hit by a meteorite, or brought down by mechanical failure? Through meticulous investigation and first-hand accounts, this show delves into the heart of one of the greatest aviation anomalies.
Our Universe
This engaging documentary uncovers the stunning universe we live in and its awe-inspiring tale of cosmic patterns. Get a glimpse of the minute connections between the evolution of the universe over billions of years and the birth of life. Directed by Naomi Austin, Stephen Cooter and Alice Jones, the documentary is narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Inside Job
The 2008 financial meltdown took the world by storm as bank after bank collapsed in America, with people losing jobs worldwide. Who caused it? A group of Wall Street bankers. A holistic and articulate documentary directed by Charles Ferguson, Inside Job gives you a full view of the financial disaster that stemmed from deeply-rooted corruption in Wall Street, providing an in-depth explanation of the factors that drove this crisis and its far-reaching consequences in the world economy.
World War II: From the Frontlines
The greatest conflict ever to have raged, the worst devastation ever to have occurred, the most death ever to be seen — that was World War II. This six-episode documentary, the directorial venture of actor John Boyega, uses vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the conflict, bringing World War II alive like never before.
Inside the Mind of a Cat
Dogs have owners, cats have staff. How many times have you sensed that your cat either understood you totally, or was trying to control you? Andy Mitchell’s heartwarming documentary lets you get up close with the antics and instincts of our cuddly feline friends, with cat pundits revealing fascinating insights on cat psyche.
Mark Cavendish: Never Enough
How do you go from being the world’s greatest sprinter to almost losing a battle to Epstein Barr? This is the remarkable story of Mark Cavendish, one of the best cyclists in the world, who beat chronic fatigue to come back stronger and put the tape across the mouths of his naysayers. Intimate and captivating, this one-hour-32-minute film by Alex Kiehl charts the stunning rise, downfall and phoenix-like resurrection of the professional cyclist.
Poisoned - The Dirty Truth About Your Food
We’re eating poison. Period. Learn about the problems of fatal foodborne diseases in the US. Find out shocking truths through interviews with the
kith and kin of victims and experts. Directed by Stephanie Soechtig, this one-hour-24-minute film dives into the difficult nature of the problem, shedding light on the far-reaching results and laying stress on the urgent need for awareness and solutions.
