History is a compelling subject to some and, perhaps, quite boring to others. However, history is objectively a very important subject to learn. Even if you don’t particularly like it, you should make an effort to study it. History repeats itself when people do not learn from the mistakes of their past. So, at the end of the day, there is a lot to benefit from knowing our roots.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of very interesting documentaries. These are informative pieces on many historical topics that students might need to educate themselves about. And on that note, if you need more help with your school assignments, Studyfy might just be the website you’re looking for.
It’s a website that provides academic help services to students online. Thus, if you have a lot to handle and need homework help, it might be time to delegate some tasks to an expert. Meanwhile, you can start watching the eight documentaries that will make your preparation for the history test much more enjoyable.
Moving on, here are our top picks.
Inside the Medieval Mind (2008)
Professor Bartlett from Saint Andrews University analyses and investigates the mindset and intellectual landscape of medieval times. He tries to parallel similarities between modern society and that of the medieval ages.
This thorough documentary explores the various aspects of thinking by people in the medieval era, including
- belief and faith;
- knowledge;
- sex;
- power.
The professor will go on to visit historical sites that he references throughout the video. Set and shot in England, this documentary will surely shine a light on this era and help students understand it better.
Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance (2004)
If you haven’t heard of the Medici or are going to touch upon the subject soon in a test, let’s sum it up by saying that they were the center of the Renaissance. This documentary will shed light on this family and its legacy.
The documentary will emphasize how the Medici family used their wit and innate charm, wealth, and power to pave the way and ignite the starting flames of the Renaissance.
Hitler’s Frozen Army (2013)
Most students will have to study WW2 at one point or another, so this documentary will be a strong weapon of knowledge to add to your disposal. The documentary focuses on Operation Typhoon and the events that surround it. Operation Typhoon is a battle of wits and strategy against the dictators Hitler and Stalin.
The makers of this film collect testimonies from actual witnesses who fortunately survived the ordeal. Due to the analysis of some historians and well-acted reenactments of the battle, this documentary is a must-see. It’s a good way to learn about Hitler and Stalin’s clash in Operation Typhoon.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/6i0s6cl8SeM
Immortal Egypt (2016)
Egyptologist Joan Fletcher explores the history of Ancient Egypt in-depth in a four-episode documentary series. She investigates the causes of its rise and fall, going back in time to 17,000 BC. Fletcher will also touch on Egypt’s dark ages and then cover the topic of the great and magnificent pyramids.
If you want to learn more about the elusive and mysterious civilization of Ancient Egypt, then we do recommend watching this extensive docu-series. You’ll extrapolate what you already know about the Egyptians and their grand empire.
The Sea Peoples and the Late Bronze Age Collapse (2020)
This richly informative documentary touches upon the late Bronze Age of Egyptian history. Specifically, the documentary revolves around a great catastrophe that remains a mystery to most historians to this day.
Many areas of human history’s timeline are still largely unsolved, and historians must rely on speculation for the most part. Students should watch this documentary not just to learn and memorize for their history test. They should realize that history is very complex, and the search for truth is endless.
MLK/FBI (2020)
This documentary was created by award-winning director Sam Pollard. Pollard investigates the ties between the FBI and Martin Luther King. The documentary exposes the ruthless plan of the FBI to ruin King’s reputation.
Pollard does an exceptional job by compiling interviews with historians, a Pulitzer-winning writer, Martin Luther’s friend, a former FBI director, and even a former agent from the FBI. With Pollard’s extensive effort to collect key evidence and testimonies, this documentary about Martin Luther King might be one of the best.
Criminal Doctors: Auschwitz (2014)
Another documentary about WW2 tells the story of Auschwitz using letters and communications from Nazi soldiers and authorities. It presents viewers with footage of the actual camp and touches upon the subjects in the camp who were tortured through experimentations.
We warn our readers that this documentary is not for the fainthearted as it depicts very gruesome events and activities, but it does shed light on how monstrous the doctors of Auschwitz were.
The Great Plague (2001)
A documentary covering the Bubonic Plague transports viewers to the 1600s in Cock and Key Alley in England. It illuminates viewers on the desperation, mass hysteria, and destruction brought in by the plague. It sheds light on the lives of many families during the time of the plague.
The Great Plague also shows how the disease spread throughout this particular area of London before it reached its deadly peak in the year 1665. Students can learn a lot about the Bubonic Plague with this piece, as it does a good job of immersing the viewer in a tragic era in human history.
Final Thoughts
We hope our recommendations will help those who need a history lesson or two and prefer to learn by watching a film. Documentaries are an excellent source of knowledge since they combine text with sound, image, and video footage.
It can be a much more fulfilling experience than simply reading a textbook and memorizing. So, buckle up and watch our recommendations to bolster your chances in your upcoming history exam.