Out for the summer

DocuTube is out for the summer, as may have been noticed. See you with more documentaries in the autumn.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

I hope there are documentaries about more of the ancient wonders. This one is about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built by a ruler to his queen. This shows how it was built, and a team tries to recreate some of their building methods.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8

Did Jesus Die?

This documentary explores alternative stories about the life of Jesus, including whether he died on the cross or not. Although quite a bit patronising at times to faithful Christians, it is interesting to see. It compares the gospels, and adds new research along with far-fetched ideas to try to find out what they see as motives behind why the gospels were written.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | | from 2007

The Green Deal in Cambodia

Deforestation in Cambodia is an example of how short-term profiteering causes havoc for an ecosystem and for the people living in or around the forests. The logging also helped fund wars.



Part 2 | Part 3 || info

The Genius of Mozart: Miracle of Nature

This story of Mozart's life is told not only by a narrator but also by the people in Mozart's life. They sit as though interviewed in front of a camera and retell parts of the famous composer's story. A nice twist on the usual biography. This is a real costume party.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 || from 2004

An Islamic History Of Europe

The period in European history that is widely called the Dark Ages, were of course not at all dark and stagnant. This misperception should once and for all be buried along with statements like Europeans being the discoverers of the American continents. It was for instance in the early middle ages that Islamic culture was introduced to the continent, and this documentary looks at what impact this had on European art, science and philosophy.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 || from 2007

In the Valley of the Wolves

Following a wolf pack named "the Druids" in Yellowstone National Park, USA, here we see wolves thriving. Wolves were absent from the park for 70 years but were reintroduced in 1995. This had an effect on the entire park's ecosystem, as wolves are a top predator that was truly missed. As the Druids are challenged by other wolves, we also follow coyotes and other wildlife over two years in this huge park.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 || from 2007

The Human Face

This program in a series is hosted by John Cleese and he tries to figure out what it is about people's faces that makes them appear beautiful.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 || from 2001

Deep Blue

Outer space and the deepest depths of the world's ocean are the final frontiers, they say. This deals with oceanic life in many forms, including large creatures like sharks and whales, to corals, and even plants and polar bears that hunt for food in the oceans. The scenes are pretty spellbinding as they capture life in the seas and on the shores in all climates. Towards the end they do explore the depths of the oceans, to see what incredible creatures inhabit them.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 || from 2003

The Hawking Paradox

This tells of famed physicist Stephen Hawking's life and some of his most famous theories. At 22, he was given only three years left to live due to his ALS disease. However, he never gave up and even used the condition to his advantage. Since he could no longer write or properly speak, his way of thinking became much more visual, and he could better imagine how black holes worked. One theory related to this, the Information Paradox, sparked a great rift between scientists worldwide.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2005

A History of Britain: 1. Beginnings

This is part of a series called A History of Britain by the BBC. This first episode of 15 in total is more or less chronological, starting from the time of neolithic settlements, continuing to Roman times, and eventually ending before the Norman conquest of the 11th century.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 || from 2000

Marco Polo in Xinjiang

Marco Polo's travels to China are as fascinating today as they have ever been. Here we see a National Geographic photographer retrace Marco Polo's 13th century journey by visiting some places mentioned in Marco's journals on his way all the way from Venice to China and back. And while the host may not quite have the subtlety or finesse of Michael Wood as he followed Alexander the Great, it is still a sight to see these places.



Part 2 | Part 3

The Secret Bible: Rivals of Jesus

The period around the time of Jesus was ripe with claims from many people who either said that they were the Messiah, or had Messiah attributes ascribed to them. These included Apollonius of Tyana, Simon Magus and Simon bar Kokhba. It's not only interesting that they got as many followers as they did, but that some of them have followers still today.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Planet in Peril (series)

This is from a series on CNN that spotlights endangered animals and overexploitation of natural resources in various countries.

The first episode starts in Thailand, where there are huge market in live, endangered animals. Many of them are from Thailand's rainforests, but some come from as far away.

(see below for update) || from 2008

The second episode starts in Cambodia, where illegal captures of tigers and elephants are a big problem. It also dives into China. Their market is enormous for shark fins, various tiger parts, turtles and all other manner of animals that they attribute healing properties to, while the animals that they exploit dies out. The consequences of the Chinese economic growth is the horrible pollution, as we also see. It seems remarkable how much they are able to report from China, which is not exactly known for its open policy when it comes to critique of the state.

(update: unfortunately, this series of videos were removed from YouTube by the user) || from 2008

Nikola Tesla: The Missing Secrets

The man who could be called the father of alternating currents, and probably the father of radio, which we all use today, is not as well known as he deserves to be, due to his sometimes very eccentric ways. This program tells of Nikola Tesla's life, and goes over some of his discoveries and inventions - some practical, and some fairly peculiar.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Mega Structures: The World's Most Extreme Island

The people of the United Arab Emirates are building many structures on a grand scale at the moment. Besides the world's largest building, they also built one of the world's most unique islands, the palm island, which extended the beach quantity of the country drastically, something they desperately need if they are to compete for tourist money. It is right in the Persian Gulf, and many obstacles were in the way of its construction, including earthquakes and strong winds.

Note: The last 15 seconds of each clip/part contains annoying music and the name of the person that uploaded the clips. Unfortunately.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2005

Last Days On Earth

A look at how the end of life on earth could come about. This part in a series about just that, is about asteroids. It tells what the effects of a gigantic asteroid hitting earth would be. They're quite gloomy.



Part 2 | Part 3 || from 2006

The Most Evil Men in History (series)

From a cheerful series called the Most Evil Men in History, here are two episodes about some historically nasty men. First, an episode about Vlad Ţepeş, a.k.a. Dracula. Trained by the Ottomans, Vlad used his skills learned there to first conquer his land, and then use fear to viciously control it.



Part 2 | Part 3

Secondly, an episode about the Roman emperor Nero, who indulged in incest, murdering his pregnant mistress, arson, and of course his persecution of the early Christians. Simply put, he was absolutely insane.



Part 2 | Part 3

Inside the Vatican

This documentary explores what's behind the doors of the Vatican that are closed to the public, and shows the daily routines of the people living and working there, in the service of the church and pope.

(update: unfortunately, you know the story, this series of videos were removed from YouTube)

Snowball Earth

Could the Earth once, over 600 million years ago, have been completely covered by ice? Convention tells us that there should always be some parts of the Earth that are ice-free even in the worst of ice ages. But geological evidence tells us that even the equator was at that time covered by glaciers.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2001

The Secret Life of Caves

Deep caves are the subject of this documentary from BBC called the Secret Life of Caves, which are really very dangerous in countless ways, including the fact that they contain poisonous gases. Despite the conditions, life is to be found everywhere. Life which literally helps shape the caves themselves.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2003

Rainforest: Beneath the Canopy

A look at a South East Queensland rainforest's wildlife. I have to say it's almost a shame to view this one in the low resolution that YouTube can offer, but it's very interesting and the scenes are so beautiful to see. This is nature as it is when it's untarnished by human interference.



Part 2 | Part 3

Barbarians (series)

A series called Barbarians on the History Channel, about various peoples known for their barbaric ways. Here are three episodes.

First, a look at vikings, their often barbaric ways but also their trading and exploration, and their influence on Europe, and the world.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2004

(update: unfortunately, the History Channel strikes once again, so the videos about the Goths were removed from YouTube)

And then the Huns, coincidentally another enemy of the Romans. They had their origins in Asia, and migrated west to Europe because of the Chinese. At first, they had an unsteady alliance with Rome, but under the leadership of Attila the Hun, they became a force that could have taken Europe.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2004

The Dark Side of Everest

Climbing the highest mountain on earth is tremendously dangerous, and the Dark Side of Everest, produced by the National Geographic channel, is about how extreme situations on Mount Everest forces some people to take drastic decisions, and not always the morally right ones. Saving someone who might die on the mountain is also dangerous for the potential rescuer.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2003

Colosseum - Rome's Arena Of Death

The story of Rome's Colosseum, told from the perspective of Verus, one famous historical gladiator. It follows him from the time of his capture and enslavement to his time as a gladitorial hero.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 || from 2003

The Dinosaur Feather Mystery

A documentary about whether or not dinosaurs were the first to have feathers. This one is not so much entertaining as it is interesting. Fossils from Europe and China tells us much to answer the question. The question of how flight evolved is possibly answered with this.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Ancient Chinese Inventions

From a series on the Discovery Science channel called What the Ancients Did for Us. This episode is about the inventions that the ancient Chinese contributed to the world. Among other things, they invented the iron plow, pound locks for canals, hot air balloons, or prototypes thereof. And possibly even golf and football.

(update: unfortunately, this series of videos were removed from YouTube)

Building the Great Pyramid

Building the Great Pyramid, a BBC program depicting a fictional account of how it could have been for one of the labourers that built the Great Pyramid of Giza during construction of it.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

In the footsteps of Alexander The Great (series)

Another historical ruler, this time about Alexander the Great from BBC series in four episodes. It tells of his life and what he did to shape history, including conquering the Persian empire. Host Michael Wood follows in Alexander's footsteps over 32000 km. Telling his life story, it is not easy to tell what is myth and what is historical fact, and it is always fascinating to see historians get so passionate when they retell history. Here is the complete series (!).

Episode one, "Son of god":



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8

Episode two, "Lord of Asia":



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

Episode three, "Across the Hindu Kush":



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

Episode four, "To the ends of the earth"



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10

Genghis Khan

A BBC documentary about Mongol ruler Genghis Khan's life and the empire he created. We find out why he set out to conquer the land that he did, one of the largest lands in history.



Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10

Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press

A BBC program about Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press. Stephen Fry is the host, and among other things, he tries to recreate a medieval printing press.

(update: unfortunately, this series of videos were removed from YouTube due to copyrights claims by the BBC -- I will try to find it again sometime)

Mayan civilization (2)

There are many nice documentaries put up on the History Channel's YouTube site. Here are two about the Mayan civilization. The first one called the Maya: Death Empire, and deals with the rise and fall of the empire.

(update: unfortunately, the History Channel strikes again, so this series of videos were removed from YouTube)

Information about the documentary

Human Weapon (series)

First off, a series on the History Channel about various martial arts. The series follows two american mixed martial artists as they set out to learn about different styles of martial arts, and then to try to compete against one or more virtuoso in the styles. Here are three of the episodes.

(update: unfortunately, this series of videos were removed from YouTube due to violations of the terms of use -- oh well)

Introduction

The blog is my place that I use as my collection of whole documentaries or programs that I've found on YouTube that interests me. And maybe someone else will find this and discover something they were interested in. I am interested in history, culture, religion, nature, architecture and martial arts, but also other things.