History documentaries

History genre page header
BBC Select is the place to discover so much more about history. Stream a range of compelling BBC history documentaries that explore the people, places and events of the past that shaped our world. Whether it’s the Roman Empire, Nelson and Napoleon, Black history, the story of the Titanic or the Tudors, BBC Select brings acclaimed and award-winning history shows, and featuring experts including Bettany Hughes, Lucy Worsley, Simon Schama and David Olusoga.

The Somme 1916: From Both Sides Of The Wire

the somme 1916 from both sides of the wire

Using unique access to unseen German military archives, historian Peter Barton tells the story of the battle that, more than any other, has come to define the WWI experience: The Somme. Considered one of the deadliest battles in human history, in this enthralling history documentary, he walks the battlefield, explaining the failures that led to over 20,000 British deaths. Was the battle worth it?

Nelson: Britain's Great Naval Hero

Nelson Britain's Great Naval Hero

The story of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson’s incredible life from humble beginnings to one of Britain’s greatest ever war heroes. This insightful history documentary takes a fresh look at the
remarkable career of this naval icon. Scandals are uncovered, military failures are revealed and the secrets behind the Battle of Trafalgar’s most famous Admiral are exposed and explored.

The Nazis: A Warning From History

nazis a warning from history

How could a cultured nation at Europe’s heart be responsible for acts so heinous, they have altered concepts of what man is capable of? This groundbreaking documentary series is the definitive history of the rise and fall of the Nazis. From the first stirrings of Hitler’s diabolical vision to the destruction of the Nazi war machine, unseen footage and eyewitnesses reveal the inner story of WWII.

Curse of the Ancients with Alice Roberts

Curse of the ancients with alex

Riddled with wars, pandemics, famines and cataclysmic floods, the ancient world was a cursed and violent place. In this seminal history documentary series, historian Alice Roberts goes back in time to look at the factors that toppled the world of our ancestors. Using modern scientific techniques, she will try to decipher how civilization survived such turbulent and destructive eras.

Invasion

Invasion

Some were bloody, others absurd and doomed. The British Isles has been invaded continually over thousands of years. In this fascinating documentary series, intrepid historian Sam Willis investigates the history of Britain’s invasions. From Barbary pirates and brutal border raids to the air attacks of the 20th century, these invasions have shaped modern Britain and made the country we see today.