My Top 10: Film Documentaries

Over the last few years, film documentaries have become very popular with film fans. At first, they were small and very hard to find at a cinema outside of London.
Now, you can probably find one every week at your local independent cinema. We have seen some of the most astonishing stories. Some may have been in the public light before the release of the film. However, a lot of them have come out of nowhere.
Nowadays, film documentaries are given as much praise and respect as any feature film release at your local multiplex.

This was a pretty tough list to narrow down to 10. There are countless of other film documentaries that I would give an honorable mention to. But as there are too many, check out the link to my IMDB account on my homepage, and look at the film documentaries I have seen and discover them for yourself.

Four that recently left my top 10 list was Touch The Void, Road and Tyke Elephant Outlaw. The first is an amazing story about two climbers and their perilous journey up the Siula Grande in the Andes in 1985. Not only is the backdrop to the events breathtaking. But is it a story that I can't believe happened and we managed to hear about it.

The second explores the lives of the famous motorcycle family of the the Dunlop's. It sees the events that occured the road races in Ireland and the Isle Of Man. It is an emotional ride that effected me, and for someone who is not a hardcore motorbike fan, that's quite impressive.

The third is 'Tyke, Elephant Outlaw', a gripping and emotional story of a circus elephant that went on a rampage during a show in Hawaii in 1994.
While centering on this particular animal, this film accounts stories about other animals in the circus and from the trainers themselves.
It is a very sad story. But like with all these documentaries, it remains essential viewing. Sadly, not many people know about this film. So check it out if you can.

Finally, the fourth is 'TT: Closer To The Edge'. Another motorbike documentary, this time it centres on the TT races on the Isle Of Man.
While the general public see this as a highly dangerous event. This documentary shows us the people who attend and compete in this event, and see this as a place makes them feel alive.
This is such a thrill ride, especially in 3D.

Here are my current top 10:

10) Citizenfour - A story that many people may have read in the papers. It sees a reporter be sent emails on illegal surveillance programs that were discovered by none other than Edward Snowden.

This sees the first of many meetings with Snowden, who is hiding out in Hong Kong. It is amazing seeing history unfolding in front of you.

9) The Internet's Own Boy: The Story Of Aaron Swartz - One of what is becoming many of documentaries about internet pioneers.

This one centres on Aaron Swartz, the co-founder of Reddit. His work on social justice and information access lead to something quite heart-breaking.

8) Three Identical Strangers - An unreal story that opens up so strong that you are amazed that there is more to tell.

The face of the story is amazing enough. But when it goes into more depth, it takes a disturbing turn that makes quite the viewing experience.

You have to see this to believe it.

7) They Shall Not Grow Old - An astonishing technical achievement of not only restoring BBC archive footage of World War I, but colorising it, widening the screen ratio, slowing the speed to a normal frame rate and adding voices and sound.

It was amazing hearing what British mentality was back then. This felt like a thorough account of The Great War and I was completely engrossed by it.

6) Blackfish - One of the few documentaries to end up in one of my top 10 of the year list.

With such harrowing images, this is a highly engrossing and topical story that cause quite a stir when it got released.

It's gripping, it's mesmerizing and it is something everyone should see.

5) Catfish - The film inspired the American TV show. I remember knowing nothing about this and by the end of it, I was flabbergasted.

It sees a group of guys film the development of an online relationship with one of their friends. It leads to something that had me on the edge of my seat for so much of the film.

4) Man On Wire - Not only did this film documentary blow me away. It also introduced me to what is now my favourite true story ever.

It sees the story of a wire-walker determine to achieve his ultimate dream. Calling it 'the artistic crime of the 20th century' is a perfect description.

It won the Oscar for Best Documentary and I recommend you check out their acceptance speech. It's quite something.

3) Olympia Part One: Festival Of The Nations - Officially a Nazi propaganda film. But amazingly, it's done in the best taste possible.

Director Leni Riefenstahl and her team broke several new grounds in the way sport is presented.

It's astonishing camerawork and editing really shows its celebration for sport and appreciate the athletes hard work. But there will always be that bitter taste in the mouth watching it, given who is overseeing everything in the stadium.

2) Olympia Part Two: Festival Of Beauty - Part two of Leni Riefestahl's look of the 1936 Olympics.

The imagery remains groundbreaking for its time. However, concentrating on the beauty of sport and how an athlete moves gives this the edge over its predecessor.

If you want to know how sport events are filmed in the way they are, it is clear to see that these two documentaries laid the foundations.

1) OJ: Made In America - When a 7hr 45min film documentary grips for the runtime, that is impressive enough.

This well told and heavily detailed account of one of the most famous events of 20th century America is remarkable viewing. This will become the definitive edition of this most famous of court cases.