Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What’s the best documentary you’ve ever seen?

370 replies

LovelyQuiche · 07/12/2022 20:13

Mine is is “The Rescue” about the Thai cave rescue where those young footballers were trapped. Totally enthralling, even though I knew the outcome already, and seeing what they had to deal with actually helped me mentally for giving birth a fortnight later. Like, if they can do that, then I can do what millions of other women do and give birth

what’s yours?

OP posts:
mangoontoast · 07/12/2022 22:57

Hypernormalisation.

Then the documentary series Can't Get You Out of My Head.

Eye opening.

BedTaker · 07/12/2022 22:59

Tiger King.

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 07/12/2022 22:59

Three identical strangers. Just the whole reasoning behind their separation and the attitude of the people involved..

9/11 both the one filmed by the brothers and also a 6? Parter one few years back. Focused on different parts and events of the day. Weird to think how a simple decision on the day made such a difference to if some people lived or not. The man who helped a burnt woman then found out his sister and niece were on the planes was sad.

One day in May. Story of the Bradford Fire. Scary how quick it went from small flame to complete inferno

PhilInt · 07/12/2022 22:59

'The Pharmacist' which is about the opioid epidemic in the USA. Truly eye opening and well told.

Gagaandgag · 07/12/2022 23:00

My octopus teacher

chilling19 · 07/12/2022 23:01

jellybe · 07/12/2022 21:03

The BBC documentary of the Hillsborough disaster. I'm what the victims families were put through was just disgusting and heartbreaking

Agree

kateclarke · 07/12/2022 23:02

Fat girls and feeders. Absolutely chilling and very disturbing.

pinata · 07/12/2022 23:03

The secret life of rubbish on the bbc - made me completely rethink everything to with waste and sustainability. The idea that everything I’ve ever thrown away is still out there, unless it’s biodegraded or been recycled is quite my mind blowing

DogInATent · 07/12/2022 23:04

Threads.
... but I think people will quibble about whether it counts as a documentary or not.

Cakeandfinewines · 07/12/2022 23:05

Another climbing one from earlier this year - The Last Mountain. Heartbreaking, but incredible.
Also, Navalny. Didn't expect it to be so darkly hilarious at times.

Spudlover · 07/12/2022 23:06

Some great ones here but mine is 14 Days in May.

I watched it when I was about 16 and it devastated me. It changed the way I think about the death penalty forever.

Icecreamandapplepie · 07/12/2022 23:07

The boy whose skin fell off.

I hope to meet that man one day.

fifteenohfour · 07/12/2022 23:08

Earthlings. Shows behind the scenes 'nothing is off limits' impact on the environment and animals by the food, fashion and makeup industry. Was a harrowing watch years ago when I watched it, some scenes still make me feel sick and hurt to think about to this day.

Eranzer · 07/12/2022 23:08

Mine just scream 'loser' but:

  1. Secrets in Plain Sight
Brilliant for anyone into geometry, mysticism and numerical philosophy Grin

A 3 part documentary on Timeline, called Cracking the Shakespeare Code. Really interesting conspiracy with the eye candy that is Petter Amundsen!

Fedupmum21 · 07/12/2022 23:08

Dont fuck with cats- utterly gripping!

fifteenohfour · 07/12/2022 23:10

@Margaritawithlime

I've watched that. It was horrendous. So so sad.

FixItUpChappie · 07/12/2022 23:11

One Child Nation....extremely eye opening. I had no idea really.

CarlaTortelli · 07/12/2022 23:11

On a seasonal theme, I recently came across a hidden gem on Apple TV called ‘Twas the fight before Christmas. It’s an about a guy wanting to host a winter wonderland in his front garden and the legal dispute which then ensued with his entire neighbourhood. Prepare to feel a sense of anger mixed with disbelief by the end of it!

fifteenohfour · 07/12/2022 23:12

@Flapjackquack

Was it called Bombay beach or something, a beach town in California that is just completely poverty stricken and has its own "rules"

determinedtomakethiswork · 07/12/2022 23:12

Glendaruel · 07/12/2022 20:18

There was a documentary made by two French brothers who followed a rookie fireman in New york, the it aim was to show him grow from not to man. About two months into filming the date was 9/11 and made one of the most powerful documentaries I've seen

Do you remember the name of the documentary that's

NippyWoowoo · 07/12/2022 23:13

Margaritawithlime · 07/12/2022 20:56

Dear Zachary
It starts as a documentary from a friend to a young boy whose father has been murdered. (Friend of the director) and turns into something very different.
Suffice to say i have never ever cried like this over a film and I can never watch it again. However. It stays with me as one of the most powerful pieces of film making I’ve ever seen.
Available on YouTube I think.

Came here to say this. Very well done but also heart-breaking.

The next best documentary I've seen is Fyre Festival. I laughed, gasped, screamed all the way through.

determinedtomakethiswork · 07/12/2022 23:15

Seven up and all the subsequent programs too.

RhannionKPSS · 07/12/2022 23:15

Imissmoominmama · 07/12/2022 20:39

Years ago, I saw one called The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off (I think). It was about a young man called Johnny Kennedy who had a life limiting disease. His positivity was wonderful. I remember him choosing ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ as his funeral song…

Oh that one has stuck with me too, very moving. We all sat in tears. His humour and lack of self pity was incredible. He was an amazing man & the ending was unforgettable.

WetLettuce2 · 07/12/2022 23:17

The documentary about a child called Leah from Fleetwood who had Niemann-Pick’s illness, so like Dementia for kids ☹️
She was in year 6, so all her class were going to secondary school and she was going to an SEN school.
It showed her participating in sports day. It showed how her handwriting peaked in year 5 and she was starting to deteriorate.

A few years later there was a follow up.
I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming but it said at the end that she’d died.
I still cry thinking about her and her family.

DuesToTheDirt · 07/12/2022 23:17

Imissmoominmama · 07/12/2022 20:39

Years ago, I saw one called The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off (I think). It was about a young man called Johnny Kennedy who had a life limiting disease. His positivity was wonderful. I remember him choosing ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ as his funeral song…

Yes, this was very powerful. He was an amazing and fascinating person, with a heartbreaking story to tell.

I'd also like to add The Fear of 13, a film about Nick Yarris, a death-row inmate who is also an extraordinary and surprising person.