People are always curious to learn about our history and the sacrifices made by the previous generations. There’s a saying that “history repeats itself,” and we can surely learn from it to be prepared for the worst. Over the years, there have been many projects on historical events that have shaped the world. Recently, Christopher Nolan’s biographical film Oppenheimer stunned viewers by showing how the making of the first-ever atomic bomb changed humanity.
However, documentaries based on historical events or influential people have also become popular among viewers. Historical documentaries often present information that’s visually engaging and easier for people to understand.
The documentaries also give different perspectives on specific events that changed society and captured everyone’s attention. If you are looking for some great documentaries about history, Netflix is the place to start. However, it can be hard for people to know about specific titles, so here are the best historical documentaries on Netflix.
Who Killed Malcolm X?
Malcolm X is one of the most influential people in world history and became a popular figure during the civil rights movement in the US. However, in February 1965, an unknown assailant killed Malcolm X. The death of his news shocked the nation, but there have been many debates about his assassination.
Netflix’s Who Killed Malcolm X chronicles the journey of a historian trying to figure out who actually killed the prominent personality. The documentary went on to become a massive hit among viewers and turned out to be crucial in the release of Malcolm X’s alleged killers. If you want a documentary that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Who Killed Malcolm X? is undoubtedly one of them.
13th
There have been a lot of discussions about the 13th Amendment and how it has been misused over the years. According to the Library of Congress, the 13th Amendment “abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime.” Directed by Ava DuVernay, the documentary examines the interplay between race and the legal system.
Moreover, it sheds light on major problems that the nation has been facing over the years and how the US became the country with the most number of incarcerations. The documentary won the Outstanding Documentary at the 69th Primetime Emmys. Additionally, it received an Oscar nomination in the Best Documentary Feature category.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
Crip Camp is one of the rare documentaries that puts focus on the people fighting for basic human rights. The documentary chronicles the journey of Camp Jened, a summer camp for disabled people living in New York. As per reports, the camp was established so that people experiencing conditions such as cerebral palsy and polio could be given a nurturing environment.
Apart from using archival footage, the documentary also features several key personalities who have done extraordinary work in making this world accessible for people dealing with disabilities. As it is, Crip Camp is not an easy watch. It is a stark reminder of how people sacrificed their lives to make things easier for future generations.
Five Came Back
There have been many documentaries on World War II. Some show what happened during the war, and some discuss the aftermath. However, Five Came Back takes an interesting approach and makes viewers see the war through the eyes of five filmmakers. Based on the book of the same name, the US government called up filmmakers like Frank Capra, John Ford, George Stevens, William Wyler, and John Huston to make documentaries about the war.
The main motive of these documentaries was to tell the world about the horrifying things that happened during the war. Besides, the documentary helps viewers understand why the government enlisted these filmmakers to work for them. It also includes interviews with Guillermo Del Toro and Steven Spielberg.
