Civilisation

Infographics and archival footage deliver bite-size history lessons on scientific breakthroughs, social movements and world-changing discoveries.

Explores WWII from Germany's invasion of Poland through the atomic age, examining pivotal battles, wartime leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt, and the human cost of total war.

An insider's look at the engineering and scientific miracles behind the things that form the modern world.

Don Wildman unearths relics from the world's greatest institutions to reveal secrets from the past. He examines each artifact to illuminate history's most incredible triumphs, sensational crimes and bizarre encounters.

American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.

Oscar and Grammy Award-winning producer and artist Mark Ronson explores the intersection of technology and musical innovation with his heroes and fellow hitmakers – including Paul McCartney, DJ Premier, Charli XCX, Dave Grohl, and Questlove.

Award-winning actor and nervous explorer Eugene Levy steps out of his comfort zone for a whirlwind tour of the world's most beautiful and intriguing destinations.

Explore Marvel’s rich legacy of pioneering characters, creators and storytelling to reflect the world outside your window. Each documentary, helmed by a unique filmmaker, showcases the intersections of storytelling, pop culture, and fandom within the Marvel Universe.

A worldwide guided tour of the greatest movies ever made and the story of international cinema through the history of cinematic innovation.

In a tumultuous era, 1971 was a year of musical innovation and rebirth fueled by the political and cultural upheaval of the time. Stars reached new heights, fresh talent exploded onto the scene, and boundaries expanded like never before.

The history of the sport of baseball in America, told through archival photos, film footage, and the words of those who contributed to the game in each era. Writers, historians, players, baseball personnel, and fans review key events and the significance of the game in America's history.

A look at the life of Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, who opens her personal archives and reflects on a career in which she has sold 80 million records and reinvented herself, and by extension pop, several times. Home movies, personal photographs and new interviews reveal the picture, as Kylie addresses how she’s faced public scrutiny, personal loss and illness.

An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.

Learn how popular Disney attractions and destinations came to be, how they have changed over time, and how fans continue to obsess over them.

TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment. Dive into his extraordinary story from two distinct points of view—past and present—as Martin reflects on how his beginnings led to his unexpectedly fulfilling life today.

Will Smith whose curiosity and wonder is positively infectious—is guided by National Geographic Explorers traveling to different corners of the world to get up close and personal with the weirdest, most unusual, dangerous and thrilling spectacles of the planet.

This immersive series follows the world's most magnificent creatures, capturing never-before-seen moments from the heartwarming to the outrageous.

Doctor Who Confidential is a documentary to complement the revival of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Each episode was broadcast on BBC Three on Saturdays, immediately after the broadcast of the weekly television episode on BBC One. The running time of the first two series was 30 minutes, being extended to 45 minutes in the third. BBC Three also broadcast a cut-down edition of the programme, lasting 15 minutes, shown after the repeats on Sundays and Fridays and after the weekday evening repeats of earlier seasons.

Explores the experiences of James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who were both befriended and sexually abused by singer Michael Jackson, and the complicated feelings that led them both to confront their experiences.

Warm up to a different tomorrow with this short docuseries of personal reflections expressed through words, movement & dance. An experimental collaboration between writers and creative movers from around the world during the first covid-19 lockdown, in spring & summer 2020. From visualization to embodiment, from letters of love to sobering realizations, we're reminded in times of extreme uncertainty that a basic human need emerges... that of reimagining the future. Eight stand-alone episodes created together while being apart - in Lebanon, France, Iran, Jordan and the USA.

A two part film series exploring the struggles, strength & healing of Black men. “My Vulnerability is NOT weakness.”

What would we be without mucus? Can we live on water? How much does life weigh? Finding out the answers is the aim of ARTE's new science show. In a nod to Douglas Adams's "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", where the figure 42 is the ultimate answer to all questions, 42 tries to provide the answers.

Alberto Angela leads the dissemination program dedicated to history, art and culture. A historical, archaeological, informative story, with the presence of some protagonists of the Italian cultural or artistic scene.

From San Vito dei Normanni in Salento, where Prince Dentice di Frasso opened the doors of his timeless castle, to the heart of Lecce's historic center, the Baroque triumph of Villa Reale, whose park—designed by the great Florentine architect Pietro Porcinai—is the city's green lung. A journey through Puglia's most beautiful historic homes is the latest episode of "Once Upon a Time in a House," airing tomorrow at 8:25 PM on Rai5 on Rai Cultura. Among other stops is a visit to a classic example of Lecce stone architecture, with its characteristic golden hue: Palazzo Cezzi. Owner Fernando Cezzi illustrates the home's history, guiding viewers through his magnificent palace's museum, amidst Pompeian frescoes and magnificent mosaics. This is another exemplary example of how luxurious homes have been transformed into museums or curated by descendants of noble families and opened to the public.

The story of humanity is told through the lens of the world's oceans. Focusing on the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the series explores how these vast bodies of water have shaped migration, trade, cultural exchange and the rise of civilizations for thousands of years. Ocean currents, tides and monsoon systems have influenced not only life along the coasts but also societies, economies and the global climate. Stunning natural imagery and the latest scientific insights offer a sweeping perspective on the enduring relationship between people and the sea.

Grand boulevards are monumental witnesses to history. Their architectural splendour has endured for centuries, while they have remained stages for political and cultural change. Home to government buildings and renowned cultural institutions, they are also vital public spaces for residents and major attractions for tourists. Today, however, these iconic boulevards face global challenges. Luxury brands, international property companies, climate-neutral urban planning and changing patterns of use are reshaping their future. The challenge is to preserve historic façades and cultural identity while adapting to new needs. Traffic, urban transformation, housing and workplaces must be carefully balanced.

A documentary series that charts the Haitian-American experience of Motown Maurice, a future cultural icon, featuring interviews from his past and present.

Bill Bailey travels to Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of the withdrawal of US forces from Saigon. Immersing himself in its rich culture, stunning landscapes and complex history, he uncovers what makes this fascinating country tick.

Gina Dirawi travels around the world metting people she is curious about. We are thrown between laughter and crying, between spontaneous comedy and serious discussions about life.

Cultural and Educational TV Show to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and the March First Movement

A young generation in Huaihua explores and revitalizes Dong ethnic cultural heritage, showcasing traditional crafts, music, and rituals, while navigating the challenges of preserving these practices in modern times.

Brought back to life by modern science, a century-old Nyonya named Tian Ya teams up with a ride-hailing driver on a fantastical journey through modern Singapore, uncovering hidden memories, forgotten histories, and timeless Chinese cultural ties that still shape the present.

With the help of a journalist from their homeland, a Chinese cultural relic tries to escape the British Museum to return back to their beloved motherland. — The vast majority of the museum's massive collection of up to 8 million items came from countries beyond the UK. The trustees of the British Museum have become the world's largest receivers of stolen property, and the great majority of their loot is not even on public display. Data from UNESCO shows that 1.6 million Chinese cultural relics were stolen and collected by 47 museums around the world, among which the British Museum has the largest collection. Many were plundered during the Siege of Beijing by the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900.