Historical Documentaries on Netflix
Last updated March 26, 2023
Ken Burns: The War
2007 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsDocumentarians Ken Burns and Lynn Novick bring the harrowing history of World War II to life through the personal accounts of a handful of participants from four "typical" American towns -- proving nothing was typical during this terrible time. Historical footage and photographs combine with realistic sound effects to create visceral scenes of the battles at Omaha Beach, Guadalcanal, Okinawa and more in this seven-part PBS presentation.
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Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl
2012 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsThis TV miniseries chronicles the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history, when a frenzied wheat boom on the southern Plains -- followed by a decade-long drought during the 1930s -- nearly swept away the breadbasket of the nation.
Details about Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl
Ken Burns: The War
2007 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsA seven-part series brings World War II to life through the harrowing personal accounts of a handful of soldiers and others from "typical" American towns, recreating visceral scenes of the battles at Omaha Beach, Guadalcanal, Okinawa and more.
Details about Ken Burns: The War
National Geographic: Arlington: Field of Honor
2005 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsThere's no other stretch of grassland more renowned than Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery, home to the remains of those who served in the military, most notably the Unknown Soldier and beloved U.S. president John F. Kennedy. This heartfelt documentary looks at the cemetery's history through interviews with men and women who've been privy to solemn events held there, as well as rare archival footage and tales passed down through the years.
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Ken Burns: The Civil War
1990 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsThis documentary masterpiece from Ken Burns depicts the strategies and action of famous Civil War battles, and relates the stories of generals, field soldiers, politicians, heroes and a beleaguered president. The Emmy-winning miniseries begins by looking at the factors that led to the firing on Fort Sumter, and covers specific notable battles, climaxing with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender and Pres. Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
Details about Ken Burns: The Civil War
Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl
2012 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsThis TV miniseries chronicles the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history, when a frenzied wheat boom on the southern Plains -- followed by a decade-long drought during the 1930s -- nearly swept away the breadbasket of the nation.
Details about Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl
Chosin
2010 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsSome 60 years after the Korean War, U.S. veterans share their experiences on the front lines of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, a battle in which 15,000 American soldiers fought against insurmountable odds in sub-zero temperatures behind enemy lines.
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Ken Burns: The Civil War
1990 | NR | 4.2 out of 5 StarsThis documentary masterpiece from Ken Burns depicts the strategies and action of famous Civil War battles, and relates the stories of generals, field soldiers, politicians, heroes and a beleaguered president. The Emmy-winning miniseries begins by looking at the factors that led to the firing on Fort Sumter, and covers specific notable battles, climaxing with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender and Pres. Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
Details about Ken Burns: The Civil War
Ken Burns: Prohibition
2011 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsKen Burns's fascinating multipart documentary examines the history of alcohol in America, including the events leading up to the passage of the 18th Amendment, the social and legal effects of prohibiting alcohol, and the repeal of Prohibition.
Details about Ken Burns: Prohibition
Ken Burns: Prohibition
2011 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsKen Burns's fascinating multipart documentary examines the history of alcohol in America, including the events leading up to the passage of the 18th Amendment, the social and legal effects of prohibiting alcohol, and the repeal of Prohibition.
Details about Ken Burns: Prohibition
A Good Day to Die
2010 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsIn-depth interviews and archival footage profile the life of Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, which staged protests, including the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, to draw attention to the mistreatment of Native Americans.
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Ken Burns: Jazz
2001 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsAcclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns celebrates jazz, the "most American art form," in all of its incarnations over the decades -- from its origins in blues and ragtime through its evolution into swing, bebop and fusion. The series follows the growth and development of jazz from the gritty streets of New Orleans to the Lincoln Gardens on Chicago's Southside, the hallowed place where Louis Armstrong first won fame.
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Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird
2010 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsHarper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and its Oscar-winning film adaptation both had a deep influence on American culture and racial perspectives. This pensive documentary studies the author's life and the controversy her work inspired.
Details about Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird
Ken Burns: Jazz
2001 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsAcclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns celebrates jazz, the "most American art form," by following its substantial growth and development over the decades -- from its origins in blues and ragtime through its evolution into swing, bebop and fusion.
Details about Ken Burns: Jazz
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective
1994 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsThis documentary program focuses on the Civil Rights leader's many groundbreaking accomplishments. Footage covers Dr. King's war on poverty and his staunch opposition to the Vietnam War. Also included is his stirring "I Have a Dream" speech.
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Bhutto
2010 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsThis documentary is an in-depth and at times incendiary look at the life and tragic death of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the outspoken voice of reason whose 2007 assassination sent her country's political system into a tailspin.
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Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story
2012 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsPrompted by a son's wish to honor his filmmaker father, this documentary uncovers the impact of a bold decision made by an African American waiter to expose the true state of race relations in Mississippi in the turbulent 1960s.
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National Geographic: Explorer: 25 Years
2010 | NR | 4.1 out of 5 StarsCelebrate "Explorer's" 25 years of compelling programming with this commemorative special that recaps such show highlights as an undersea expedition to the Titanic wreckage, a tour of the Guantanamo Bay detention center and a report from North Korea. Throughout this documentary television series' quarter century on the air, its viewers have visited more than 100 countries and learned fascinating lessons about science, wildlife and humankind.
Details about National Geographic: Explorer: 25 Years
Soundtrack for a Revolution
2009 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsMusic was a powerful tool in the American civil rights movement, spreading a message that was difficult for many to hear and serving as an energizing force for nonviolent protest. This documentary celebrates that intersection of movement and music. Featuring new performances of freedom songs by artists such as Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean and John Legend, the film also includes archival footage and interviews with civil rights leaders.
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The Rape of Europa
2007 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsJoan Allen narrates this documentary that chronicles 12 years of the Nazis' pillaging works of art throughout Europe and the international effort to locate, protect and return millions of valuable treasures. The film traces the story of art lovers and everyday heroes who tried to thwart the looting Nazis and reveals how experts from Europe and the United States are working to recover priceless works of art missing or hidden for decades.
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Greatest Tank Battles: Season 1
2011 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsThe Military Channel presents an action-packed series that brings to life the most gripping and monumental tank battles ever fought. Filmed on battlefields around the world, the show features realistic CGI animation and eyewitness accounts.
Details about Greatest Tank Battles: Season 1
National Geographic: Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack
2001 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsThis feature-length documentary delves into the unresolved mysteries surrounding the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as oceanographer Robert Ballard dives deep into the waters of the harbor to find the remains of a Japanese sub.
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The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
2011 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsFrom 1967 to '75, a film crew aimed cameras at major figures in the Black Power movement, creating hours of footage that remained unreleased for decades. In clips, Stokely Carmichael, Huey P. Newton and Angela Davis discuss the movement's evolution.
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Ken Burns: The West
1996 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsHistorian and Oscar nominee Ken Burns and his talented team mine vintage photographs, music, maps, letters, newspapers and more to bring to life the struggles and challenges Americans faced in the 19th century as they embarked on westward expansion.
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Surviving Hitler: A Love Story
2011 | NR | 4.0 out of 5 StarsTwo young sweethearts ultimately become co-conspirators in the now famous Valkyrie plot to assassinate Hitler. Narrated in vivid detail and supported by never-before-seen 8mm footage shot by one of the central characters.
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