Top 25 Documentaries by Reel.com

A Listmania! list by James Byrne (Liverpool, UK)
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Nanook of the North [All Region] [import]
1.  Nanook of the North [All Region] [import] DVD ~ Allakariallak
The list author says:
  "Landmark silent documentary chronicles Eskimos struggling to survive in harsh Arctic landscape. A milestone of its genre, this is compulsory viewing for film history, documentary buffs."
£11.98   Used & New from: £5.46
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Man With A Movie Camera [1929] [DVD]
2.  Man With A Movie Camera [1929] [DVD] DVD ~ Mikhail Kaufman
The list author says:
  "This exhilarating, witty, startlingly modern experiment in montage tracks a day in the life of several Soviet cities. Considered a true classic by film scholars and lovers of avant-garde cinema."
£10.37   Used & New from: £8.79
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

Olympia [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
3.  Olympia [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ David Albritton
The list author says:
  "1936 Berlin Olympics. Still recognized as a masterpiece, despite its director's Nazi connections. Stunning, poetic cinematography makes this a must-see for film history students, documentary buffs."
Used & New from: £13.49
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back - 65 Tour [DVD]
4.  Bob Dylan - Don't Look Back - 65 Tour [DVD] DVD ~ D.A. Pennebaker
The list author says:
  "Behind-the-scenes documentary captures Bob Dylan at his career peak. With its riveting concert performances, this is required viewing for fans of Dylan's music, those curious about mid-'60s era."
£10.99   Used & New from: £6.51
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

In the Year of the Pig [DVD] [1968] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
5.  In the Year of the Pig [DVD] [1968] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Harry S. Ashmore
The list author says:
  "Powerful Vietnam War docu reportedly angered Nixon due to its hard-hitting anti-war stance. Harrowing classic, An  unapologetically biased presentation."
Used & New from: £11.89

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The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter [DVD]
6.  The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter [DVD] DVD ~ The Rolling Stones
The list author says:
  "Landmark concert rock movie about the Rolling Stones' 1969 tour. Perfect for fans of the music. Social history buffs enjoy it as a devastating portrait of the era's darker side."
£5.67   Used & New from: £2.58
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

The Sorrow and the Pity [DVD]
7.  The Sorrow and the Pity [DVD] DVD ~ Georges Bidault
The list author says:
  "Genre-defining, epic-length documentary about the French collaboration with the Nazis in WWII. Considered a masterpiece of its genre by critics. Wrenching film is compulsory viewing for history buffs,"
£9.99   Used & New from: £4.75
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

Gates of Heaven [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
8.  Gates of Heaven [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Scottie Harberts
The list author says:
  "Offbeat docu about pet cemetery. Critics raved over its loony humor, ironic exploration of American values. Compulsory for docu buffs, viewers who enjoy mix of absurdist humor with social commentary."
Used & New from: £5.65
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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The Decline of Western Civilization [DVD] [Region 1] [NTSC]
9.  The Decline of Western Civilization [DVD] [Region 1] [NTSC] DVD ~ Lee Ving
The list author says:
  "Acclaimed documentary about nihilistic, late-'70s L.A. punk rock scene. With its mix of black humor and revealing, slice-of-life character portraits, this is essential viewing for fans of the music."
Used & New from: £9.99

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Criterion Collection: Burden of Dreams [DVD] [1982] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
10.  Criterion Collection: Burden of Dreams [DVD] [1982] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Werner Herzog
The list author says:
  "Compelling on-location docu traces the grueling making of Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo. Stunning portrait of a filmmaker battling nature and encroaching madness."
Used & New from: £16.29
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Shoah (4 Disc Set & 184 Page Book Special Edition Box Set) [DVD] [1985]
11.  Shoah (4 Disc Set & 184 Page Book Special Edition Box Set) [DVD] [1985] DVD ~ Claude Lanzmann
The list author says:
  "Epic, 10-hour docu chronicling personal remembrances about the Holocaust by dozens of survivors. This disturbing yet eloquent film is a landmark of its genre. Must-see for students of history."
£33.99   Used & New from: £28.89
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

The Thin Blue Line [DVD]
12.  The Thin Blue Line [DVD] DVD ~ The Thin Blue Line
The list author says:
  "Meticulously detailed, surprisingly innovative docu about a Texas man on death row. A critical hit, this unconventional, influential, tense film is a joy for fans of suspense, drama, true-life tales."
£9.00   Used & New from: £6.95
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Roger and Me [1989] [DVD] [1990]
13.  Roger and Me [1989] [DVD] [1990] DVD ~ Michael Moore
The list author says:
  "Scathingly ironic documentary about auto plant closings in Flint, MI has surprisingly wide appeal. With its scathing black humor, this pleases satire buffs, fans of Americana and social history."
Used & New from: £16.98
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion

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Civil War: Film Directed By Ken Burns [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
14.  Civil War: Film Directed By Ken Burns [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Ken Burns
The list author says:
  "Masterful historic docu, patiently told through still photographs, music, and eloquent testimony from actual letters and diaries. Turns forgotten history into tangible narrative."
Used & New from: £36.77

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Paris Is Burning [DVD]
15.  Paris Is Burning [DVD] DVD ~ Carmen and Brooke
The list author says:
  "Critically acclaimed, slice-of-life docu about Hispanic and black competitors in N.Y.C. drag balls. A must for documentary and social commentary buffs. Dramatic with strong characterizations."
£6.77   Used & New from: £5.45
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse [DVD] [1991] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
16.  Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse [DVD] [1991] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Dennis Hopper
The list author says:
  "Acclaimed docu thrills Apocalypse Now fans with its insightful, behind-the-scenes look at the film's disaster-laden shoot. Drama buffs will enjoy the engrossing plot, real-life emotion."
Used & New from: £10.50
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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A Brief History of Time [DVD]
17.  A Brief History of Time [DVD] DVD ~ Stephen Hawking
The list author says:
  "Critically acclaimed, starkly photographed docu chronicling physicist Stephen Hawking's life and theories. More appealing than standard biopics.  Fascinating portrait of a modern-day genius."
Used & New from: £15.99
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Brother's Keeper [DVD] [1992] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
18.  Brother's Keeper [DVD] [1992] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Delbert Ward
The list author says:
  "Riveting, well-crafted, drama-style docu about eccentric backwoods man accused of murdering his brother.Offbeat character study and thoughtful look at how the media influences justice system."
Used & New from: £9.10
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Hoop Dreams [DVD]
19.  Hoop Dreams [DVD] DVD ~ William Gates
The list author says:
  "Widely appealing, highly acclaimed documentary profiles two Chicago athletes struggling to escape inner-city poverty. Epic-length, real-life story thrills drama fans who appreciate intimate character"
Used & New from: £16.72
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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The Celluloid Closet [DVD] [1995]
20.  The Celluloid Closet [DVD] [1995] DVD ~ Jeffrey Friedman
The list author says:
  "Informative docu chronicles history of gay/lesbian representation in Hollywood cinema. Witty interviews and revealing film clips will fascinate cinema history buffs"
£11.77   Used & New from: £4.12
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Hands on a Hard Body [DVD] [1999] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
21.  Hands on a Hard Body [DVD] [1999] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Sid Allen
The list author says:
  "Determined Texans compete to win pickup truck by becoming the last person left touching it in this low-budget documentary. Offbeat exploration of humanity appeals to fans of quirky character studies."
Used & New from: £70.73

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Sick [DVD] [1998] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
22.  Sick [DVD] [1998] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Bob Flanagan
The list author says:
  "Intensely fascinating profile of masochistic performance artist who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Graphic depictions of S&M will limit this documentary's audience but hardier souls will appreciate the"
Used & New from: £7.02
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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When We Were Kings [DVD] [1997]
23.  When We Were Kings [DVD] [1997] DVD ~ Muhammad Ali
The list author says:
  "Much-acclaimed docu of landmark 1974 Ali/ Foreman fight. Insight into African-American consciousness and social history  and a compelling character portrait of Ali."
£4.49   Used & New from: £0.87
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

American Movie [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
24.  American Movie [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] DVD ~ Mark Borchardt
The list author says:
  "Wisconsin filmmaker's attempts to make his low-budget magnum opus. Frequently hilarious and peopled with colorful characters, this instant classic's appeal extends far beyond documentary fans."
Used & New from: £9.99
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Buena Vista Social Club [1999] [DVD]
25.  Buena Vista Social Club [1999] [DVD] DVD ~ Wim Wenders
The list author says:
  "Long-forgotten legends of Cuban music perform with Ry Cooder in this lively documentary. Combining fabulous performance footage with intimate profiles, a rollicking, music-filled film."
£9.99   Used & New from: £2.99
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)

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James Byrne (Liverpool, UK)
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Last updated: 01/08/2009
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