Here are the trailers and details of some of the best science(ish) documentaries around. Want to express your opinion on which is the best documentary or trailer and why? Visit the comments section to discuss.
Africa
Natural history series exploring the stunning landscapes and undiscovered creatures of Africa's five major regions. From the Atlas Mountains to the Cape of Good Hope, witness previously unseen wildlife behaviour, strange new creatures, and an array of spectacular, never-before-filmed locations.
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An Inconvenient Truth
Documenting Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide. A dizzying and shocking array of facts relating to carbon emissions, the population explosion and the disintegration of the polar icecaps.
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Blackfish
Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. The film shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.
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The Cove
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
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Grizzly Man
A devastating and heartrending take on grizzly bear activist Timothy Treadwell, who was killed in 2003 while living among grizzlies in Alaska.The film plumbs not only the mystery of wild nature, but also the mystery of human nature as he chronicles Treadwell's final years in the wilderness.
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Human Planet
Like all life forms, humanity partially adapts to types of natural environment, yet also tends to change them. Each episode examines how life differs for men and nature in some type of environment, from Arctic to desert and jungle, from coasts to mountains.
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Murderball
In the run up to the 2004 Paralympics the film follows the quadriplegic men who play the sport of 'quad rugby'. Driven and determined to overcome the limitations of their disabilities, the men who play the sport professionally can risk serious injuries in the tough, close-contact game.
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Planet Earth
Embracing the world's incredible landscapes and fascinating wildlife, this series takes the definitive look at the diversity of our planet. With high definition photography, revolutionary ultra-high speed cameras and detailed images from the air, the series captures the most amazing footage ever seen.
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Project Nim
Nim: the chimpanzee who in the 1970s became the focus of a landmark experiment which aimed to show that an ape could learn to communicate with language. The film documents Nim's extraordinary journey through human society, and the enduring impact he makes on the people he meets along the way.
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Sicko
Highlighting the contradictions in a system that, despite costing more per person than any other in the world, ranks last among developed countries. As well as taking a swipe at the wholly for-profit health insurance and pharmaceutical industries, Moore compares and contrasts health provision around the globe.
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Spellbound
As American as apple pie, as competitive as the Olympics, the Spelling Bee pits kid against kid in a war of words with only one winner. Following the fortunes of eight title hopefuls and their families, the film is packed with priceless moments of comedy and drama.
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Super Size Me
While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
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The Unbelievers
Following renowned scientists Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss across the globe as they speak publicly about the importance of science and reason in the modern world - encouraging others to cast off antiquated religious and politically motivated approaches toward important current issues.
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Who Killed The Electric Car?
In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust and ran without gasoline. Ten years later, these futuristic cars were almost entirely gone. This film investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.
