Film Documentaries to Watch

The biography of silent film legend Charlie Chaplin is brought to the screen with the narration of fellow silent star, Gloria Swanson.

A film about the life and work of the master comedy filmmaker, Charles Chaplin.

On the evening of September 30, 1952, the shape and sound of movies changed forever with the introduction of Cinerama.

C-3PO and R2-D2 explore the creation of the film that made them famous.

An eye-opening documentary that reveals the behind-the-scenes partying and plotting at one of the most memorable festivals in Cannes' storied history.

A look at the making of the original Star Wars trilogy.

Using in part rare out-take footage, the film-making methods and techniques of Charles Chaplin are explored.

Moved by the work of director Yasujirô Ozu, Wim Wenders travels to Japan in search of the Tokyo seen in Ozu's films.

Documenting the tumultuous production of Werner Herzog's film Cobra Verde in Africa, the last of his five collaborations with actor Klaus Kinski.

An 8-part documentary chronically the history of cinema: "All the Histories", "A Single History", "Only Cinema", "Deadly "Beauty", "The Coin of the Absolute", "A New Wave", "The Control of the Universe", and "The Signs Among Us".

This show is a series of documentaries focusing on the world of psychotronic movies. Episodes focus on the lives of such diverse filmakers as Hershell Gordon Lewis, Saim Raimi, Doris Wishman, Ed Wood Jr, and Tsui Hark. Weird movie genres, like Mexican wrestling movies and Hong Kong horror films, are also examined.

An 8-part documentary chronically the history of cinema: "All the Histories", "A Single History", "Only Cinema", "Deadly "Beauty", "The Coin of the Absolute", "A New Wave", "The Control of the Universe", and "The Signs Among Us".

A documentary that explores the work of a composer who created music for over 50 films, collaborating with such diverse directors as Orson Welles, Nicholas Ray, and Martin Scorsese.

Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography, illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from The Birth of a Nation (1915) to Do the Right Thing (1989).

"It's All True: Based on an Unfinished Film by Orson Welles" is a 1993 documentary feature about Orson Welles's ill-fated Pan-American anthology film "It's All True," shot in 1941-42 but never completed.

A retrospective of the work of the late actor Warren Oates, with clips from his films and interviews with cast and crew members who worked with him.

This special consists of two parts: "It's Just A Ride", a documentary about Hicks' life which features interviews from friends, admirers, and family; "Revelations", a recording of his last live performance in the United Kingdom.

Excellent and very detailed documentary on the making of a classic. Filled with appealing trivia, exhaustive interviews with cast and crew members, and never before seen footage.

Thirty years after A Hard Day's Night, its producer, director, writer and others describe its making. United Artists Records came to Walter Shenson, asking him to produce a movie so UA could issue a soundtrack album. Shenson signed Lester to direct, and they got the Beatles to agree to star. Shenson sent Owen to Dublin to spend time with the Fab Four; from this came a script built around their being prisoners of their own success. Phil Collins, himself an extra on A Hard Day's Night, hosts this examination of a seminal film: what was ad-libbed, why was it a hit, what was its influence on other movies, and how did it define the way the public viewed each Beatle for years to come?

A film about Eric Campbell, the tall Scottish actor who was most famous for playing the quintessential villain for Charles Chaplin's Tramp character.

A documentary following Terry Gilliam through the creation of "12 Monkeys" (1995)

A behind-the-scenes look into the making of Sam Peckinpah's classic western "The Wild Bunch", with many rare and unseen stills and footage. Actors who appeared in the film narrate their experiences, and the deceased ones were represented by other actors' voices.

Autobiography of Clint Eastwood up to his movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."