History documentaries
Kidnapped: A Georgian Adventure
In 1728, 12-year-old James Annesley was snatched from the streets of Dublin, Ireland and sold into slavery in America. He was the victim of a wicked uncle hell-bent on stealing his massive inheritance. Historian Dan Cruickshank traces James’s astonishing journey from the top table of 18th century society to its murky depths. The story helped inspire Robert Louis Stevenson’s revered book Kidnapped.
Atlantis: The Evidence
The mysterious lost city of Atlantis has captured imaginations for centuries. But does new evidence prove that the legendary story is true? Historian Bettany Hughes unravels one of the most intriguing mysteries of all time, as she presents a series of geological, archaeological, and historical clues to show that the legend of Atlantis was inspired by real historical events.
Byzantium: A Tale of Three Cities
It’s known by some as the ‘Centre of the World’. Simon Sebag Montefiore charts the rise of Istanbul from pagan trading post to capital of three empires and two religions. This one metropolis has been held by the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Each left its mark in its architecture, traditions and in the communities who still populate this vast modern conurbation of 14 million people.
The Boy Who Would Be King
Charles II became known as the ‘Merry Monarch’. But was he a sex-obsessed hedonist with no principles, or a brilliant political strategist with a common touch, who saved the British monarchy? This adventure packed dramatized documentary attempts to find the real Charles, who he was, and what shaped him during his 21 years prior to becoming king of England in 1660.
Paradise Soldiers
As far back as World War One, through Vietnam and up to the present day, young Cook Islanders have served and sacrificed alongside New Zealand in military conflicts and combat. But their stories are largely untold. This fascinating documentary celebrates their contribution to various conflicts, acknowledges their sacrifice in battle and shares their personal stories of bravery and valor.