The asteroid believed to have wiped out dinosaurs 65 million years ago was rare but hardly unique. This compelling special delves into various facets of asteroid research around the globe revealing how experts are pushing the boundaries of technology to protect us from 250-ton behemoths like Apophis, an asteroid that could come dangerously come close to Earth in 2029, and again in 2036.
Visit the abandoned immigrant hospital on Ellis Island. During the great wave of immigration, 22 medical buildings sprawled across two islands adjacent to Ellis Island, the largest port of entry to the United States. Massive and modern, the hospital was America's first line of defense against contagious, often virulent, disease. In the era before antibiotics, tens of thousands of immigrant patients were separated from family, detained in the hospital and healed from illness before becoming citizens. FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND is a powerful reminder of the best -- and worst -- of America's dealings with its new citizens-to-be. Elliott Gould narrates.
The film follows the lively exploits of activists for (and against) the movement for the legalization of the hemp plant in America. It features Woody Harrelson, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and a whole host of farmers, politicians, businessmen, and laypeople as they search for the truth about this mysterious and demonized plant.
A documentary about the making of John Lennon's seminal solo debut album, "Plastic Ono Band," featuring historical analysis and playbacks of the original multi-track session tapes. Includes interviews with the musicians and personnel involved with the recording sessions as well as Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and other associates of the Lennons.
The Rise and Fall of the Grumpy Burger follows filmmaker Marshall Sfalcin as he attempts to create a movie about his family's former fast-food empire. By day, he works as a construction worker in Windsor, Ontario, and by night, he makes films. His latest project involves chronicling the rise and fall of the Hi Ho Restaurants, founded by his grandfather Amie Fortin. Marshall's uncles, initially supportive, begin to resist as he delves into the darker aspects of their family history. With his project unravelling, Marshall finds solace in visits with his grandmother. Filmmaker Matt Gallagher documents this journey, blurring the line between truth and fiction.
On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that city from the kinds of devastating riots that ripped other cities apart after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
A look at the evolution of an animal we all know and love -- the penguin. Known for a complex social hierarchy as well as their ability to withstand some of the most harsh temperatures in nature, penguins have proven themselves among one of the most adaptable species on the planet.
From the darkness of Hitler's Europe to the mountains of the Catskills, Four Seasons Lodge follows a community of Holocaust survivors who come together each summer to dance, cook, fight and flirt-and celebrate their survival.
A fascinating look at how American agricultural policy and food culture developed in the 20th century, and how the California food movement rebelled against big agribusiness to launch the local organic food movement.
An intimate and unflinching look at life in Iran, seen through the lens of those living at its fringes, 'Be Like Others' is a provocative look at a generation of young Iranians choosing to undergo gender reassignment surgery.
Abdul Rahman, an African prince who was sold into slavery, spent four decades in servitude before an amazing coincidence took him to the White House to meet President John Quincy Adams, where he was granted his freedom. Mos Def narrates this PBS documentary that includes reenactments of scenes from Rahman's life and interviews with historians who discuss the conditions faced by slaves in early America.
In this special documentary that inspired a two-season television series, scientists and other experts speculate about what the Earth, animal life, and plant life might be like if, suddenly, humanity no longer existed, as well as the effect humanity's disappearance might have on the artificial aspects of civilization.
Acclaimed doctor James Orbinski, former head of Doctors Without Borders, returns to Africa to confront the harsh reality of conditions there and explores what it means to be a humanitarian.
An in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on an innocent taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002.
Through the recollections and insights of those who knew The Beatles best, this documentary examines the creative processes and personal chemistry that contributed to some of the greatest music ever made.
This documentary follows the evolution of the British sketch comedy troupe that redefined humor and shaped an entire generation of American comics, focusing especially on their conquest of the American comedy scene,
Through several interlocking stories, including the story of maritime commerce and the ships that move cargo through the inland waterway, Mysteries of the Great Lakes will take you on a journey through the greatest lake system in the world, and showcase the amazing geography, ecology, science, and history of the region.