# What documentaries and docudramas have you seen recently? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** documentary-bio\ **Created:** [August 27, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335 "2024-08-27T22:20:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/1 "2024-08-27T22:20:14Z")
In the spirit of the “What movies have you seen recently?” thread, I want to shift the spotlight to documentaries and docudramas. Whether single features or episodic series, share what you’ve been watching lately. Feel free to give it an old-school A-F grade and add a short review if you’re inclined. I’ve been hooked on documentaries ever since I was a kid. It all started with “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” (1968-1976) and Jane Goodall’s “The World of Animal Behavior” (1970-1980). Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” (1980) was a game-changer, and I’ve been captivated by David Attenborough’s masterful work ever since. Lately, I’m thrilled with the quality of streaming documentaries and docudramas. I genuinely believe we’re living in a Golden Age for these genres. The nature cinematography and thoughtful narration are simply stunning. Here are a couple I’ve watched recently: **Living with Leopards** _A nature documentary that follows two leopard cubs as they journey from infancy to adulthood._ Grade: A- This one hit all the right notes with its top-tier cinematography and compelling storytelling. It even brought a tear to my eye (those cubs have personality-plus, and Mom is amazing). The only reason it didn’t get a perfect score is the soundtrack—the music was a bit too jarring for my taste. **Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War** _A gritty docudrama that vividly reenacts the legendary feud between Wyatt Earp and Ike Clanton, culminating in the gunfight that defined an era._ Grade: A- This docudrama nearly nailed it with a perfect mix of historical accuracy and gripping narrative. It pulls you straight into the wild world of the Old West. The only downside for me was some overly slick cutaway editing. Now it’s your turn—what documentaries or docudramas have you seen recently? I’m all ears (figuratively speaking)! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/2 "2024-08-27T22:29:01Z")
I love documentaries too. I recently watched Bruce Brown’s surfing docs and his motorcycle one _On Any Sunday_ _Agatha Christie’s England_ The Columbia Space shuttle thing on CNN. Jake Tapper did a thing on there about Scandals that’s good. I watch any documentary on PBS. I always find something interesting about whatever subject. Oh, one of my favorites is Ken Burns _Baseball_ not really crazy about the game, but there are great people stories in there. Of course, anything Ken Burns does is good. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/3 "2024-08-27T22:36:39Z")
I couldn’t agree more—Ken Burns is a master storyteller. I find myself watching all his documentaries, even on topics I didn’t think I’d be interested in, simply because his storytelling is so compelling. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/4 "2024-08-27T22:38:32Z")
Watched _[Remembering Gene Wilder](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21215388/)_ the other night. More or less reasonable. Several funny clips from his movies. But which movies are used is very uneven. E.g., lots of stuff from lesser stuff like _The Frisco Kid_, _The World’s Greatest Lover_, and the post-_Silver Streak_ movies with Pryor. But _Silver Streak_ itself is barely shown. Fortunately they cover _The Producers_, _Young Frankenstein_, and _Blazing Saddles_ well. The real crime is I only caught one tiny clip from _Start the Revolution Without Me_. They could have cut out the _Willy Wonka_ part altogether and used some stuff from that instead. The best of the commentators was, of course, Mel Brooks. He recognized Gene’s comedic talent right away and they really bonded. I think they used some audio from Gene’s own book to have him narrating a lot of the movie. Give it 3.5 Daisys. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/5 "2024-08-27T22:39:37Z")
[Perfect Bid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Bid:_The_Contestant_Who_Knew_Too_Much) - The Price is Right documentary about the guy that studied pricing on the show and built data bases to study. [The Beastie Boys Story](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beastie_Boys_Story) - basically Mike D and Ad-rock telling stories about their origin and showing clips in front of a live audience. Fantastic! [3 Identical Strangers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Identical_Strangers) - 3 identical triplets don’t find each other until they are adults. [Skywalkers: A love story](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skywalkers:_A_Love_Story) - not related to Star Wars! about two Russian rooftoppers fall in love while taking unbelievable risks. The footage is actual footage of their exploits. Movie is part drama and part heist story. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/6 "2024-08-27T22:46:50Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Oh, one of my favorites is Ken Burns _Baseball_ not really crazy about the game, but there are great people stories in there. I love Ken Burns but have never watched this one before. I’ve been watching it in bits over the last week and it’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/7 "2024-08-27T23:26:09Z")
[Nazis, A Warning from History](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0207907/reviews?ref_=tt_urv) from 1997 still holds up as a rare WWII documentary that won’t just repeat what’s already been said. Viewable on [Dailymotion](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq1ym0), not YouTube In 1980 James Mason narrated an interesting [documentary series about silent-era Hollywood](https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRyHf3whQyxZhGK3YlOwkYkxdZA-gqrj), with interviews of many living participants. Fifteen years later Kenneth Branagh [narrated a docuseries on what Europe was doing at the same time.](https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuLciUkp6WHFzPYMrgCJQw2zBWAHy1_MY) ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/8 "2024-08-28T02:12:10Z")
> **[Bad Attitude: The Art of Spain Rodriguez (2021) ⭐ 7.5 | Documentary](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13911848/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_2_nm_6_in_0_q_spain%2520rodr)** > > 1h 11m A former Road Vultures biker gang member, Mr. Rodriguez was a prolific artist whose most popular creation, Trashman, represented a rare foray into the superhero genre in underground comix. A committed leftist (“Fight the Oppressor!”), he was also properly accused of misogyny in his work (and life). Nevertheless, his art and dark humor transcend the dated themes…at least, for some readers. His later work includes a (disappointing) adaptation of _Nightmare Alley_. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/9 "2024-08-29T04:21:34Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Watched _[Remembering Gene Wilder](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21215388/)_ the other night. More or less reasonable. Several funny clips from his movies. But which movies are used is very uneven. E.g., lots of stuff from lesser stuff like _The Frisco Kid_, _The World’s Greatest Lover_, and the post-_Silver Streak_ movies with Pryor. But _Silver Streak_ itself is barely shown. Fortunately they cover _The Producers_, _Young Frankenstein_, and _Blazing Saddles_ well. > > The real crime is I only caught one tiny clip from _Start the Revolution Without Me_. They could have cut out the _Willy Wonka_ part altogether and used some stuff from that instead. > > The best of the commentators was, of course, Mel Brooks. He recognized Gene’s comedic talent right away and they really bonded. I think they used some audio from Gene’s own book to have him narrating a lot of the movie. > > Give it 3.5 Daisys. I saw this too and it was quite good. I’ll give it a grade of B. One that for me really stands out, well done and compelling, is NBA TV’s “The Dream Team” about the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics US Men’s basketball team. I give this a grade of A. YouTube ➜ [https://youtu.be/Wsk\_Xmu5FYk](https://youtu.be/Wsk_Xmu5FYk) ⇦ ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/10 "2024-08-29T04:53:46Z")
I really enjoyed this documentary. Gene Wilder has always been a favorite of mine, ever since his unforgettable debut in _Bonnie & Clyde,_ where he magically turned a small role into comedic gold. He was not just a brilliant comic actor, but by all accounts, a genuinely good person. This documentary did him justice. B+ ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/11 "2024-08-29T05:33:33Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > One that for me really stands out, well done and compelling, is NBA TV’s “The Dream Team” about the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics US Men’s basketball team. I give this a grade of A. > > YouTube ➜ [https://youtu.be/Wsk\_Xmu5FYk](https://youtu.be/Wsk_Xmu5FYk) ⇦ I just watched it again. Full disclosure: I played the game a little bit and was a fan of Bird and the Celtics. The rivalry with Magic and the Lakers in the 1980s was gripping. I watched NBA games and as a fan I am familiar with every player on the team. To see these separate players come together to put aside their rivalries and sometimes hatred to form a cohesive team was fun to watch. So it might help to be a basketball fan to enjoy this documentary. If you’re a fan or even just a fan of sports I think you’ll enjoy this. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/12 "2024-08-29T05:59:23Z")
I was a huge fan of the 1992 Dream Team. I was glued to their Olympic games live and still find myself rewatching clips now and then. I’ve never been one to root for the underdog in pro sports—I want to see the best of the best, and that team was exactly that. I’ll definitely check out that documentary. The only sporting performance that tops it? Secretariat at the [1973 Belmont Stakes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG_27cCW5bw). Now _that_ was pure greatness. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/13 "2024-08-29T06:04:16Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > In 1980 James Mason narrated an interesting [documentary series about silent-era Hollywood](https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRyHf3whQyxZhGK3YlOwkYkxdZA-gqrj), with interviews of many living participants. And they show that series every Sunday afternoon on the Roku channel “The B-Zone”. Never miss it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/14 "2024-08-29T06:08:56Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I was a huge fan of the 1992 Dream Team. I was glued to their Olympic games live and still find myself rewatching clips now and then. I’ve never been one to root for the underdog in pro sports—I want to see the best of the best, and that team was exactly that. I’ll definitely check out that documentary. > > The only sporting performance that tops it? Secretariat at the [1973 Belmont Stakes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG_27cCW5bw). Now _that_ was pure greatness. If you do watch please let me know your thoughts. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I’ve watched several documentaries about Secretariat and especially his 1973 Triple Crown. I was a young 11 yo boy and tuned in for the first time to the TC races on TV. I did not grow up around horses or even horse racing, so this was quite the introduction. His crushing victory in the Belmont Stakes was something to behold! And in his Kentucky Derby, he ran every furlong faster than the previous. In other words, he was accelerating throughout the entire race. Secretariat set track records for all 3 races, and those records still stand to this day. Yes, pure greatness! ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/15 "2024-08-29T11:53:21Z")
We’ve been watching **Turning Point: The Bomb And The Cold War** on Netflix, an interesting and well-made look at the Cold War and its aftermath, especially for us members of the Duck and Cover generation. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/16 "2024-08-29T14:38:57Z")
It’s been a long time since I’ve watched _Bonnie and Clyde_. So I didn’t remember him being in it. That it was Gene’s idea to make his character goofy was interesting. As well as Penn letting him get away with it. The scene shown with him and Michael J. Pollard (one of my favorite actors) in the back seat of car was a treat. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/17 "2024-08-29T14:47:32Z")
As a life-long soccer fan, I found [Welcome to Wrexham - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_Wrexham) an excellent series (it’s won 5 Emmys so far. 🕶 ) It tells the story of two ‘Hollywood’ chaps taking over a struggling football club in Wales and how they turned things around. The series includes interviews with the owners, management, players and fans. It covers the history of the club and the town and looks at many aspects of the game. Highly recommended. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/18 "2024-08-29T20:54:58Z")
I attended a documentary film festival back in April - hope that’s recent enough to share some of my recommendations. I’ll try to include where the film is streaming if I know. _Every Little Thing_ - A woman in Hollywood cares for injured hummingbirds; her care and passion for the birds comes through the screen. A well done feel good documentary, although not every bird’s story ends happily. On Amazon Prime. _Sugarcane_ - tells the story of one particular Indian residential school in British Columbia, and the impact on the former residents, their families and their communities. Very well done; part of a story every American and Canadian should know more about. Still in theaters, I think. _Girls State_ - by the directors of _Boys State_ which was made back in 2020, this documentary tracks several high school girls attending the Girl’s State convention run by the American Legion in Missouri. Not all the focus characters are compelling, but one key story comes to the forefront - the disparity between how Girls State and Boys State are run and funded. Apple TV+. _The Bitter Pill_ - tracking a lawyer from West Virginia leading a class action suit against opioid makers and distributors. An important story and insight into the legal and political processes behind this fight. Don’t think this is streaming yet. _Daughters_ - my favorite film from the festival. Four girls and their incarcerated dads get ready to attend a Daddy-Daughter dance held at a DC prison. The film has both touching personal stories about the girls, their fathers, and the power of family; as well as putting a spotlight on the ugly side of the American penal system. On Netflix. _Happy Clothes - A Film about Patricia Field_ - a representative of one of my favorite subgenres of documentaries, films about fascinating older women from New York (see also _Iris_ and _Ask Dr. Ruth_). Patricia Field is best known as the costume designer for Sex and the City; but she’s had a varied and interesting career and life. Doesn’t seem to be available to stream. _False Positive_ - tells the story of track and field athlete Butch Reynolds, whose drug suspension by the IAAF caused him to miss the 1992 Olympics. His long fight to overturn his suspension and clear his name continues to this day. On ESPN+. ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/19 "2024-08-29T22:22:33Z")
This is a fascinating documentary about the 2 different tribes of chimpanzees in Uganda’s Ngogo forest. Filmed over a 25-year period it really shows how complex chimpanzee society is, the hierarchy of it & how their relationships work. 8 episodes with a smooth dramatic flow, much joy and sadness like any society. The parallels between chimp and human behavior, while not expressly stated until the very end, are unmistakable throughout and add depth to an already astounding effort. > **[Watch Chimp Empire | Netflix Official Site](https://www.netflix.com/title/81311783)** > > A vast community of chimpanzees thrives in a forest in Uganda, navigating complex social politics, family dynamics and dangerous territory disputes. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/20 "2024-08-30T01:25:10Z")
I recently watched **Chimp Empire** , and I completely agree—it’s a captivating look into the complex social dynamics of chimps. Their intricate relationships and behaviors are truly fascinating. If you enjoyed this, I think you’d also find **[Living with Leopards](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32138821/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)** equally intriguing. The social lives of big (and small) cats are just as mesmerizing. 🐵 🐈 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335.md?page=2)