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

[LovelyQuiche]

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?

I remember this. I still think of the women now and hope they’re safe

Less important topics than the one I posted above but worth watching:

I HIGHLY recommend the documentary Losing Sight of Shore (Netflix I think) about an all female rowing crew rowing around the world - totally fascinating, totally insane.

Also

I recommend Kim Swims - I had my face in a pillow the 2nd half convinced Kim was going to get eaten by a shark. Also totally fascinating and insane.

The man who saved the world, about the Russian who refused to release nuclear bombs when the USSR missile detection system told him to. If he had followed the correct procedure we would all have died, back in the 1980s. He knew that and that's why he didn't do it. Turns out it was freak solar flares but the weapons detection system showed them as nuclear missiles coming from the USA. It was the height of the cold war and the USA was the only country in the world (and still is the only country in the world) to have used nuclear weapons on civilians so it was utterly plausible that that's what was happening. He got absolutely canned by the USSR in the aftermath for not doing as he was told.

I remember this one. It stuck with me too.

One about Aberfan in Wales. Heartbreaking.

In the Shadow of the Moon (the 2007 documentary, not the later film)
Utterly fascinating account of the guy who stayed on the space shuttle during the moon landing.

I also loved Grizzly Man

great list - I was in need of some suggestions of what to watch!

I really enjoyed one about the war photographer Tim Hetherington. It always stayed with me. I think I fell in love with him a bit. But I watched it again recently and my opinion had slightly changed -- I think to keep going back to war zones like that, he almost got too arrogant. Arrogant is probably not the right word. I don't know. I felt differently.

Touching the Void. It’s so good everyone thinks it’s a blockbuster movie but it’s all true.

Blackfish for me too. Also making a murderer. Great thread! Can't wait to watch the 3 strangers one.

You've Been Trumped is a great one - vile man.

Paradise Lost - I just remember it being a must watch and so much publicity about it.

Lance - Lance Armstrong another vile man.

other favourites as previously mentioned
Dear Zachary
Thin Blue Line
Dreams of a life

I cannot BELIEVE nobody has mentioned The Imposter!

A 13 year old Texan boy disappears and then four years on is 'found' in Spain. But it doesn't end there...

Great thread. Heartily concur with Touching the Void, Fyre, Blackfish, Capturing the Friedmans. Putting some others on my TBW list.

Tell Me Who I am

metroland : john betjeman

The World at War,

Finding Vivian Maier was amazing
www.imdb.com/title/tt2714900/

There was a similar thread earlier in the year with some wonderful recommendations if anyone is interested:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4547305-documentaries-that-have-stuck-with-you

The Yorkshire Ripper files. I was too young to understand the case when the murders happened. Absolutely unbelievable catalogue of errors and red herrings in the case - a lot because the police weren't listening to what women told them.

There was also a similar one on Harold Shipman which was also very good, but slightly less new information in it.

The Flat - it's about a man who goes to clear out the flat of his grandparents in Israel and the stories he finds there. Fascinating.

The Vow - really showed me how easy it is to find a cult attractive

World at War

Making a murderer. I found it gripping.

John's not mad.

Fork over knives - this doc made me a vegan. Compelling. Was on netflix, now you can view on the Fork over knives website.

The internet's own boy. Story of prodigy Aaron Swartz. Brilliant and tragic. It's stayed with me. (Free on Prime).

The Street. Gentrification in London. Beautiful, moving documentary that observes changing lives, class and cultures, in a Hackney street. Nuanced. Just came across it yesterday on Prime.

I love watching documentaries. Just a few from the top of my head

free solo
Central Park five
room 237
when they see us
trial 4
fear of 13
vatican girl
the cove
the thin blue line
worse room mate ever
meltsown three mile island
inside the worlds toughest prisons
downfall case against boeing
trainwreck Woodstock
texas killing fields
puppet master, tinder swindlers, Anna etc
aftershock
tje trapped 13
cecil hotel
Kalief browder
confession tApes
Flint town
Why did you kill me
LA 92
ocean wreck investigation
air crash investigation
4 little girls
Cyntonia Brown story

Having worked at some of the companies who've made quite a few of these programmes, this is a lovely thread to have found. Docs don't often get the attention that dramas or big entertainment shows do, so it's very heartening to that they're are having an impact on people.

Also
Man on a wire. Unforgettable.

Three Girls. A drama-doc about young girls who were victims of the Northern grooming gangs. Unbelievable and it is still happening. Everyone needs to watch this.

The Queen of Versailles. An entrepreneur amassed wealth. Marries a beautiful woman. Has 8 children and attempts to build a mega mansion So much about greed, love lust and neglectful parenting