Subgenre Sampler
Rental > Television > Documentary: 251 Films to Rent on DVD
- Perfect Planet, A (TV Mini-Series) (2021)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- More of the same globespanning wildlife wonder from the nonagenarian Attenborough featuring the most state–of–the–art digital…
- Cosmos: Possible Worlds (TV Series) (2020)
- Dir. Ann Druyan, Brannon Braga
- Sequel to the landmark documentary series COSMOS, which in turn updated the original series presented by Carl Sagan in 1980. Astrophysicist Neil…
- Ken Burns' Country Music (2020)
- Dir. Ken Burns
- Formidable 8–part, 16 hour PBS series by the legendary documentarian Ken Burns, exploring the history of country music and it's cultural impact…
- Earth From Space (TV Mini-Series) (2019)
- Feat. Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Captivating documentary miniseries presenting earth from never–seen–before perspectives, and exploring how fast our planet is changing.…
- Joanna Lumley's India (2017)
- Feat. Joanna Lumley
- Actress and presenter Joanna Lumley, who was born in India in the last days of The Raj, travels back this country to explore it's wildlife, culture,…
- Planet Earth II (TV Series) (2017)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- Follow–up to the landmark 2006 BBC series, once again presented and narrated by the unbeatable Sir David Attenborough, and produced in…
- 1916: The Irish Rebellion (2016)
- Feat. Liam Neeson
- Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Irish Rebellion, this superb three–part documentary covers the impact of this seminal event.…
- Destination Flavour: Scandinavia (2016)
- Australian celebrity chef and author Adam Liaw travels through Denmark, Sweden and Norway to explore the new Nordic food revolution. This 7 part…
- Joanna Lumley's Japan (2016)
- Feat. Joanna Lumley
- British actress and presenter Joanna Lumley continues her series of travel documentaries with a 2,000 mile journey across the four main islands of…
- Real Marigold Hotel, The (TV Series) (2016)
- Dir. Aparna Sanyal
- A BBC travel documentary series which follows famous elderly celebrities as they travel around India and experience the culture. Most participants…
- Soundbreaking (TV Series) (Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music) (2016)
- Soundbreaking explores the history of recorded music. Featuring more than 150 original interviews, the series charts a century's worth of innovation…
- Why Am I?: The Science of Us (2016)
- An internationally lauded four part series that details the findings of a 40–year study by the Otago School of Medicine that follows every baby…
- Grand Designs New Zealand (TV Series) (2015-2017)
- New Zealand iteration of the immensely popular British design show has Wellington architect Chris Moller taking us behind the scenes of some…
- Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough (TV Mini-Series) (2015)
- David Attenborough revisits the Great Barrier Reef after nearly 60 years. His visit takes him from the most exposed part of the reef as well as down…
- I Am Cait (TV Series) (2015)
- TV series that follows the transformation of Bruce Jenner from a man to Caitlyn Jenner, a woman, by showing the struggles and publicity of changing…
- Jinx, The (TV Series) (The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst) (2015)
- Dir. Andrew Jarecki
- Riveting series examines the complicated life of reclusive real estate icon, Robert Durst, the key suspect in a series of unsolved crimes.
- Keeping Up With the Kaimanawas (TV Series) (2015)
- Horsey reality TV show following Northland's Wilson sisters as they tame and train New Zealand's indigenous horses, the endangered Kaimanuwas of the…
- Kevin McCloud's Escape to the Wild (TV Series) (2015)
- GRAND DESIGNS present Kevin McCloud travels the globe to visit people living 'off the grid' in some very remote spots.
- Story of China with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2015)
- Feat. Michael Wood
- Veteran historian and broadcaster Michael Wood follows his celebrated Story of India with this in–depth portrait of the most populous country…
- Yorkshire Vet, The (TV Series) (2015)
- Animal lovers will adore this documentary series following the work of the staff of Skeldale Veterinary Centre in Thirsk, North Yorkshire –…
- Cathedrals of Culture (TV Series) (2014)
- Dir. Wim Wenders, Robert Redford, Michael Glawogger
- If buildings could talk, what would they say about us? `Cathedrals of Culture' offers six startling responses to this question. Filmed entirely in…
- Cosmos (TV Series) (Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey) (2014)
- Feat. Neil deGrasse Tyson
- National Geographic presents this superb 21st century update of Carl Sagan's influential book and TV series of the 1970's. Using breathtaking…
- First Contact (TV Series) (2014)
- Provocative reality television documents the journey of six Australians who are challenged about their perceptions of indigenous Australians.
- Great Welsh Adventure, A (TV Series) (2014)
- Feat. Griff Rhys-Jones
- "Exiled" Welshman and popular Brit comedian Griff Rhys Jones reveals the unusual delights hidden amongst the icy peaks, roaming valleys and stunning…
- Human Universe (TV Mini-Series) (2014)
- Feat. Professor Brian Cox
- Professor and "Rock star Physicist" Brian Cox travels the globe to investigate the origin of the human species. Through interviews with historians,…
- Motorway: Life in the Fast Lane, The (TV Series) (2014)
- Dir. Toby Paton
- A series for road enthusiasts which explores the secret life of the M6 – one of Britain's busiest roads.
- Nigel Latta (TV Series) (2014)
- Clinical psychologist Nigel Latta goes in–depth on some of the most urgent problems facing New Zealand society today in this confronting…
- Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl (TV Series) (2014)
- Following on from the SBS series on Sydney suburb Cabramatta and its dense Vietnamese population, this landmark history of Lebanese Australians looks…
- Songs from the Inside (2014)
- Filmed on location inside two prisons in Auckland. This ten part "reality" series offers inmates an opportunity to write, arrange and record original…
- Topp Country (TV Series) (2014)
- Lynda and Jools Topp hit the road for this food flavoured tiki tour of New Zealand.
- Trust Me I'm a Doctor (2014)
- Michael Mosley heads a team of four Doctors in this BBC TV show investigating the reliability of common health claims such as "can pollution give you…
- Charley Boorman's South African Adventure (TV Series) (2013)
- Feat. Charley Boorman
- Charley Boorman (LONG WAY ROUND) tackles 6,000 miles of South African terrain in this latest solo adventure from the intrepid motorcyclist.
- Doctor Who (TV Documentaries) (An Adventure in Space and Time; The Ultimate Guide) (2013)
- Feat. William Hartnell
- 'An Adventure in Space and Time' – This 50th anniversary commission dramatises how Doctor Who was first brought to the screen in 1963. William…
- Golden Hour, The (2013)
- Superb 'Sunday Theatre' docu–drama relives the inspirational story behind New Zealand's greatest–ever day at the Olympics, in which…
- Heston's Fantastical Food (TV Series) (2013)
- Taking a leaf from James May's gleefully ambitious 'Toy Stories', Heston Blumenthal sets out create giant, fully edible versions of some of Britain's…
- Moaning of Life, The (TV Series) (2013)
- Self–described philistine Karl Pilkington branches out from his AN IDIOT ABROAD hijinks to visit faraway countries, explore endangered cultures…
- New Zealand From Above (2013)
- A stunning, high–definition aerial history of New Zealand taking in the country's many and varied landscapes and iconic locations.
- Richard III: The King in the Car Park & The Unseen Story (2013)
- Dir. Louise Osmond
Feat. Simon Farnaby
- In the British town of Leicester, archaeologists unearth the skeleton of a man. The man's spine is deformed. His skull shows signs of violent trauma.…
- Vikings, The (TV Series) (2013)
- Going beyond their bloodthirsty reputation, Neil Oliver charts the rise of the Vikings, from their prehistoric Scandinavian homelands to a vast…
- America Revealed (TV Series) (2012)
- Based on the BBC's "Britain From Above", this all–encompassing series examines the United States through its vast infrastructures, looking at…
- First Crossings (TV Series) (2012)
- This rugged adventure series literally retraces the steps of New Zealand's pioneer explorers in the intrepid, no–holds–barred style of…
- How to Cook like Heston (TV Series) (2012)
- Culinary wizard Heston Blumenthal gets practical with this hands–on series on how to perfect home cooking with everyday ingredients.
- Kevin McCloud's Man Made Home (2012)
- The erudite Grand Designs host takes on his own self–build project in this short series following his attempt to construct a sustainable…
- Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta (TV Series) (2012)
- A powerful, engrossing docu–drama on Sydney suburb Cabramatta, an area know for its dense Vietnamese population, and more notoriously, racial…
- Politically Incorrect Guide to Grown Ups, The (2012)
- Psychologist Nigel Latta's third installment in his popular 'politically incorrect' series turns the spotlight on the adults and the complexities of…
- Story Of Wales, The (TV Series) (2012)
- An ambitious, all–encompassing 30,000 year history of Wales, as told by the BBC's Huw Edwards. Covers everything from the Tudor Court, to the…
- Untold History of the United States, The (TV Series) (2012)
- Dir. Oliver Stone
- Oliver Stone is the voice and reasoning behind this fascinating, if contentious revisionist Cold War history through American foreign…
- America in Primetime (TV Series) (2011)
- A fascinating discussion of character archetypes throughout the history of American television, which doubles as a glimpse into the social and…
- Arctic with Bruce Parry (2011)
- BBC documentarian Bruce Parry ventures to the Arctic to experience how people live in its spectacular wilderness, and how they're coping with the…
- Billy Connolly's Route 66 (2011)
- Feat. Billy Connolly
- Billy Connolly goes all 'Easy Rider' in this breezy American travelogue by motorcycle, stretching some 2488 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica.
- Brain Games (2011)
- National Geographic series offers a vigorous mental workout with various 'brain teasers' as it explores the revelations of neuroscience and the…
- Chelsea Flower Show, The (2011)
- Feat. Carol Klein
- Superb highlights from the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show from 2006 to 2010. Spread across 5 discs, divided by year, this covers…
- Classical Destinations (TV Series) (2011)
- Welsh singer Aled Jones fronts this latest addition to the 'Classical Destinations' canon. Dubbed the "ultimate travel guide to classical music", the…
- Expedition Tiger (2011)
- Inspiring documentary affords rare insight into the South Asian state of Bhutan – a mythical sanctuary for tigers which holds the promise of a…
- Food Truck, The (TV Series) (2011)
- Outgoing Auckland chef Michael Van de Elzen takes on New Zealand's fast–food favourites in this enterprising local series aimed at…
- Fry's Planet Word (2011)
- Dir. John Paul Davidson
Feat. Stephen Fry
- This five–part BBC series joins Stephen Fry as he travel's the continents exploring the nuanced diverse world of human language.
- Global Radar (TV Series) (2011)
- Te Radar seeks out environmental do–gooders both here and abroad in these further 'sustainable adventures' from the intrepid Kiwi comedian.
- James May's Man Lab (TV Series) (2011)
- Feat. James May
- TOP GEAR's James May attempts to restore the 'traditional skills' lost to the modern man – say, disarming a WWII–era bomb, the art of…
- Louis Theroux - The Odd, the Bad, and the Godly (2011)
- A second anthology of intrepid reporter Louis Theroux's eye–opening BBC Two specials.
Disc One: America's Medicated Kids, Law and Disorder…
- Museum of Life (TV Series) (2011)
- This six–part BBC mini–series gives a behind the scenes look at the Natural History Museum in London. An Engineer, a Doctor, an…
- My Kind of Place (TV Series) (2011)
- Kiwi celebrities swan around various Australian holiday hotspots for our entertainment in this thinly veiled tourism advertisement for the lucky…
- Nature's Miracle Babies (2011)
- The 'cute quotient' is at an all time high in this heartwarming BBC series centred on the efforts of zoologists to ensure the survival of endangered…
- Ocean Giants (2011)
- Spectacular three–part ocean series focused on the secret lives of whales and dolphins, as captured by some award–winning underwater…
- Prophets of Science Fiction (TV Series) (2011)
- Somewhat exaggerated series produced and hosted by Ridley Scott that depicts numerous occasions when science fiction authors have predicted and…
- Restoration Man (TV Series) (2011)
- A 'Grand Designs' spin–off with a distinct focus on historical 'doer uppers', this traces the progress of ambitious home restoration projects…
- Rick Stein's Spain (2011)
- Utterly delightful cooking show 'laced with history, literature and stunning photography' from the highly personable Rick Stein, as he travels the…
- Rise and Fall of Versailles, The (TV Series) (2011)
- Filmed spectacularly in the gardens and ballrooms of Versailles itself, this lavish documentary accounts of the 150–year reign of France’s…
- Story of Ireland, The (TV Mini-Series) (2011)
- An RTE and BBC co–production in which presenter Fergal Keane showcases Irish history, charting the origin and impact of the myths that have…
- Truth About Lions, The (2011)
- Naturalist Jonathan Scott tackles our preconceptions and false assumptions about big cats in this fascinating nature documentary.
- Wild Coasts (TV Series) (Wild Coasts with Craig Potton) (2011)
- Photographer Craig Potton continues his exploration of New Zealand's celebrated landscape with this new series dedicated to the nation's rich and…
- An Idiot Abroad (TV Series) (2010)
- Feat. Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
- The whinging round–headed Manc and unwitting star of 'The Ricky Gervais Show', Karl Pilkington, is sent on a journey around the world, partly…
- Churches: How To Read Them (TV Series) (2010)
- Dir. Jonathan Mayo
- Six–part series presented by historian and author Richard Taylor, exploring ideas about God, salvation, life and death through visits to some…
- Coasters (TV Series) (2010)
- HUNGER FOR THE WILD's Al Brown circumnavigates New Zealand's rugged coastline in search of Kiwi characters and spectacular scenery while cooking up a…
- Great Rift, The (2010)
- Typically stunning BBC Earth series investigates the geological forces which shaped East Africa's Great Rift Valley, and which make it one of the…
- History of Christianity, A (TV Mini-Series) (2010)
- In this fascinating six–part series Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the world's leading historians and Professor of History of the Church…
- Joanna Lumley's Nile (2010)
- Feat. Joanna Lumley
- A North African travelogue under the stewardship of AB FAB's Joanna Lumley, this likeable cultural and geographical series takes in the deserts,…
- Landscape Man (TV Series) (2010)
- An offshoot of GRAND DESIGNS, taking the concept of visionary and unconventional house builds to the garden, where couples are followed through the…
- Picture Perfect Homes (TV Series) (2010)
- Noted architect Ptolemy Dean takes the viewer on a tour of some of Britain's finest period homes in this informative series that looks to the past to…
- Politically Incorrect Guide to Teenagers, The (2010)
- The irreverent and provocative Nigel Latta returns with advice on how parents can navigate the pitfalls of raising teenagers.
- Radar's Patch (TV Series) (2010)
- Resourceful comedian Te Radar attempts to create a green backyard both lush in life and sustainable in this amusing and enlightening series.
- Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds (2010)
- Feat. Richard Hammond
- State–of–the–art technology is put to good use to examine three distinct invisible realms that lie beyond the limits of human…
- Rivers (TV Series) (Rivers with Craig Potton) (2010)
- Striking documentary series follows renowned photographer and conservationist Craig Potton as he traverses along some of our most significant…
- Royal Upstairs Downstairs (TV Series) (2010)
- The secret lives of British servants and aristocrats are speculated on this prim history series which takes viewers on a tour of the houses and…
- This Emotional Life (TV Mini-Series) (2010-2011)
- Self–improvement documentary series focussed on emotional intelligence, which each of three episodes weaving together personal stories with…
- Turn Back Time (TV Series) (2010)
- Illuminating series that takes a group of modern shopkeepers and has them experience their occupations through differing periods of history beginning…
- Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain (TV Series) (2009)
- Following on from his "History of Modern Britain", Andrew Marr this time overviews the first half of the 20th Century, re–visiting the dramas…
- Antiques Roadshow (TV Series) (2009)
- Current Roadshow host Fiona Bruce presents 30 years of gems, appraisals, and priceless discoveries from the iconic antiques junket, in which everyday…
- Birdland with Jeremy Wells (2009)
- Dir. Paul Casserly
Feat. Jeremy Wells
- Offbeat ornithology with the typically droll Jeremy Wells taking the viewer on a tour of some of New Zealand's finest scenery in pursuit of our most…
- Gangs Of Oz (TV Series) (2009)
- Revealing documentary series looking at various types of organized crime in Australia, with each episode focusing on a particular 'type', from biker…
- Grow Your Own Drugs (TV Series) (2009)
- Sorry Cheech, not those kind of drugs. Ethnobotanist James Wong demonstrates a number of natural remedies that can be derived from your garden and…
- Heston's Feast (TV Series) (2009)
- A gastronomes delight, this top–shelf British cooking show features master chef Heston Blumental creating a variety of dishes, while drawing…
- James May's Toy Stories (TV Series) (2009)
- Feat. James May
- A trip down memory lane with a modern twist: James May, disarming as ever, rediscovers the seminal toys of his childhood, then proceeds to…
- Kevin McCloud's Grand Tour of Europe (2009)
- The personable Kevin McCloud takes the viewer on a grand tour of some of Europe's finest architecture and examines its continued legacy.
- Line of Fire (TV Series) (2009)
- In–depth documentary series delves deep inside the New Zealand police force's highly regarded Armed Offenders Squad, with interviews and…
- Mexican Border Wars (TV Series) (2009)
- National Geographic series about American customs agents, whose job it is to curb illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking for a country…
- Politically Incorrect Parenting Show, The (2009)
- Feat. Nigel Latta
- Straight–shooting Clinical Psychologist Nigel Latta presents this series that teaches parents parenting tips in a hilariously frank manner…
- South (TV Series) (2009)
- Feat. Marcus Lush
- Another "love story" from intrepid broadcaster Marcus Lush, who this time explores the South Island of New Zealand, an area he fell in love with…
- A History of Scotland (TV Series) (2008)
- A fresh and exhaustive chronology of Scotland's fascinating narrative, full of battles and allegiances, political intrigue and religious conflict.…
- BBC Natural World, The - Collection (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- 2–disc collection including six episodes from the award–winning nature series 'The Natural World' originally conceived by Attenborough in…
- By Any Means (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. Charley Boorman
- Globe–trotting adventurer and Ewan McGregor's best mate – Charley Boorman, from LONG WAY DOWN & LONG WAY ROUND fame, is back with a solo…
- Carrier, The (TV Mini-series) (2008)
- Immersive 10–part miniseries following the deployment of a United States Navy aircraft carrier in 2005, from the USA to the Middle East and…
- Concrete Canvas (TV Series) (2008)
- Ten part documentary series focused around renowned 3D pavement artist Julian Beever, who travels through ten different cities creating new…
- Cracking The Colour Code (TV Series) (2008)
- Dir. Hugh Piper
- Stimulating series journeying across six continents to investigate how humans from different cultures and backgrounds view, make and take meaning…
- Dan Cruickshank's Adventures in Architecture (TV Series) (2008)
- In this natural progression from AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TREASURES, BBC historian Dan Cruickshank globe trots in search of astonishing buildings, both…
- Dickens' Secret Lover (2008)
- Dir. Sarah Aspinall
Feat. Charles Dance, David Haig, Amy Shiels
- Intelligent docu–drama that uncovers the torrid love life of Charles Dickens, who embarked on a clandestine affair with an actress young enough…
- e2 Transport (TV Series) (2008)
- Documentary series looking at solutions to environmental problems that face the Earth today.
e2: Transport: Focused less around design areas and…
- Elders (TV Series) (2008)
- Australian documentary series exploring the wisdom that older generations can provide us in an age where youth oriented media is disproportionately…
- Engineering Connections (TV Series) (Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections) (2008)
- Feat. Richard Hammond
- TOP GEAR pin–up boy Richard Hammond presents this series in which he looks at the engineering connections behind the world's most impressive…
- Erotic Star (TV Series) (2008)
- Dir. Dave Kelly
- Risqué reality show that pits ten ambitious Aussie sheilas against each other to become the next Australian Erotic Star. Clearly profiting from the…
- Eyewitness (TV Series) (2008)
- Comprehensive Emmy Award winning nature and science series, based on the book series, that educates and entertains with its investigations of…
- Gruen Transfer, The (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. Wil Anderson
- Hosted by comedian Wil Anderson, this is a revealing and humorous look at the advertising industry with a selection of well qualified panellists.…
- India Reborn (2008)
- Fascinating and disturbing doco series that looks at India as the next superpower, and the juxtapositions to its mighty wealth that cloud its future…
- James May's Big Ideas (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. James May
- The most cerebral of TOP GEAR's presenters, James May, wraps his head around sci–fi concepts in today's modern world, including new frontiers…
- Man Made Marvels (TV Series) (2008)
- Produced by Natural History New Zealand for the Discovery Channel, this fascinating doco series looking at some of the Earth's biggest man–made…
- Off The Radar (TV Series) (2008)
- Home–grown TV series featuring Te Radar – comedian, presenter and self–confessed latte drinking city boy attempting to become…
- Palin on Art (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. Michael Palin
- Art–aficionado Michael Palin explores the works and history of some of the lesser–known artists that he holds dear to his heart.
The…
- Stephen Fry In America (TV Series) (2008)
- Feat. Stephen Fry
- Over ambitious – yet highly amusing – doco series sees beloved Brit comic Fry travel around all 50 states of the USA in a black cab, in…
- Tube Tales - TV's Real Stories (TV Series) (2008)
- Edifying series investigating the people, places and events behind a number of hit TV series including THE WEST WING, SEINFELD, SIX FEET UNDER, SEX…
- World's Greenest Homes (TV Series) (2008)
- Cracking design series takes you all over the globe for a lengthy look inside some of the very best and very greenest digs. Features insight from…
- Andrew Marr's The History of Modern Britain (TV Series) (2007)
- Political commentator Andrew Marr turns his astute focus on the key events that have shaped British society since the end of WWII, including the…
- Big Ideas For A Small Planet (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Morgan Freeman, Woody Harrelson, Daryl Hannah…
- Pro–active eco series taking a look at modern green inventions and alternative lifestyle choices that have potential to lesson human impact on…
- Big Picture, The (TV Series) (2007)
- Commentator Hamish Keith brings New Zealand’s imposing arts history down to earth in this appealing, highly accessible reappraisal of everything…
- Galapagos - The Islands That Changed The World (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Tilda Swinton
- Grand nature series, narrated by actress Tilda Swinton, revealing the unique fauna, flora and history of the fragile eco–system of the…
- Gangland (TV Series) (2007)
- Hard hitting expose of today's nastiest gangs provides the viewer with both historical context and unprecedented access. Some of the stories are now…
- Here to Stay (TV Series) (2007)
- An enlightening, culturally pertinent reference point for the current make up of New Zealand society, this six part series revisits a number of key…
- How We Built Britain (TV Series) (2007)
- Long–standing BBC presenter David Dimbleby presents this engaging doco series focusing on Britain's architectural heritage in both a historical…
- Ice (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Marcus Lush
- Radio and TV Personality Marcus Lush goes well and truly off the rails, here embarking on a month–long sojourn in the below–zero…
- India with Sanjeev Bhaskar (TV Mini-series) (2007)
- Dir. Deep Sehgal
Feat. Sanjeev Bhaskar
- Actor and comedian Bhaskar takes a personal journey through modern India on a quest to re–discover his ancestral homeland.
An epic…
- James May's 20th Century (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. James May
- TV presenter James May presents a candid look at the creations of the 20th century; ranging from weaponry to medical breakthroughs and the…
- Long Way Down (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
- The movie star (Ewan McGregor) and best mate (Charley Boorman) return for round two of their play–it–by–ear motorcycle detour, this…
- Michael Palin's New Europe (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Michael Palin
- Seasoned globetrotter Michael Palin embarks on the undiscovered eastern bloc and its adjacent territories, revealing a fascinating cache of people,…
- Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work (TV Series) (2007)
- Dir. Matt Reid
- In–depth television series spanning a year in the life of the British Royal Family and the myriad of employees that keep the Royal Machine…
- NZSAS: First Among Equals (TV Series) (2007)
- Eye–opening insider’s guide to the SAS offers a unique tour of duty in recruitment and training for the elite special forces, through to…
- Robbie Coltrane's Incredible Britain (TV Series) (2007-2008)
- Feat. Robbie Coltrane
- Cherished British actor Robbie Coltrane takes a journey through the back–blocks of Britain in his Jag roadster to uncover the weird and…
- Story of India with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Michael Wood
- Acclaimed historian Wood takes to the destination du–jour – India – in order to acknowledge its history and research its…
- This American Life (TV Series) (2007-2009)
- Ordinary strangers share their extraordinary anecdotes which are compiled by the worldly host into explorations on a given theme. This collection of…
- Tori and Dean Inn Love (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott
- Z–List "actress" Tori Spelling and hubby Dean McDermott leave behind their silver spoon–fed lives to run a quaint little "Bed and…
- Victoria's Empire (TV Series) (2007)
- Feat. Victoria Wood
- Brit comedienne Victoria Wood tours the Commenwealth on behalf of her royal namesake, taking in such old Empire territories as Hong Kong, Borneo,…
- War, The (TV Series) (2007)
- Dir. Ken Burns
- Seven–part documentary series, directed by respected filmmaker Ken Burns, addressing the horrors of WW2 from the perspective of American…
- Battleplan (TV Series) (2006)
- A comprehensive history and analysis of military strategies, combat tactics, and the art of modern warfare.
Across eighteen episodes, historical…
- Grumpy Old Holidays (2006)
- More whining and whinging from an new queue of dissatisfied old grumps, this time on the nightmare subject of holidays and holidaying.
- Hills, The (TV Series) (2006-2008)
- Heavy–handed Reality TV series focused on Laguna Beach It girl Lauren Conrad and her sassy friends trying to gain careers, a great tan and the…
- Man vs Wild (TV Series) (2006)
- Feat. Bear Grylls
- Macho malarkey with modern day Macgyver and master masochist Bear Grylls running round extreme terrains tormenting himself for the benefit of couch…
- Nigella Feasts (TV Series) (2006)
- Feat. Nigella Lawson
- Foodie seductress Lawson invites us to her living room as she prepares feasts for every occasion. Never one to shy away from overt sensuality, the…
- Perfect Disaster (TV Series) (2006)
- SFX–heavy mini–series that looks at what would happen if a natural disaster – under 'perfect' conditions – were to hit…
- Power of Art (TV Series) (2006)
- A scholarly, and indeed powerful, roam through art history’s seminal figures, with knowledge imparted by the revered Simon Schama.
Disc 1…
- Tough Act (TV Series) (2006)
- Dir. Stuart McKenzie
- Compelling 'reality TV' show follows a class of aspiring actors in their first year at Toi Whakaari – New Zealand Drama School in Wellington,…
- What Lies Beneath (TV Series) (2006)
- Feat. Simon Dallow
- An eight–part series about New Zealand's archaeological heritage, presenting a series of intriguing site studies, with Simon Dallow asking the…
- Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (TV Series) (2005)
- Feat. Anthony Bourdain
- Dubbed the "Indiana Jones of world cuisine", best–selling author Anthony Bourdain uses his distinct reputation as a worldwide gourmet…
- Bridezillas (TV Series) (2005)
- Take–no–prisoners 'Reality TV' series captures on camera the fascinating behaviour of some of New York's most stressed,…
- Criss Angel - Mindfreak (TV Series) (2005)
- The stage illusionist reinvented as a glam–rock showman, magician and escapologist Criss Angel performs a series mind tricks and death defying…
- Egypt - Rediscovering a Lost World (2005)
- Unique, edifying six–part BBC series dramatizing the discovery and archeology of Egypt's ancient history.
- Entrepreneurs, The (TV Series) (2005)
- A magazine–style series profiling a range of Australian business people and the successful empires they have each built from…
- Escape to the Legion (2005)
- Feat. Bear Grylls
- Action man Bear Grylls (MAN VS WILD) tackles the grueling assault courses and brutal training regime of the French Foreign Legion in this rare…
- F Word, The (TV Series) (2005-2008)
- Feat. Gordon Ramsay
- The love–him–or–hate–him Gordon Ramsay is back, this time opening up the doors of his restaurant and home to demonstrate…
- Film School (TV Series) (2005)
- IFC, fly–on–the–wall series shadows four ambitious Graduate students in the midst of completing their thesis films.
Offering…
- Final Chance to Save (TV Series) (2005-2006)
- Feat. Joanna Lumley, Bill Bailey, Vic Reeves…
- An eight–part series focused on efforts to save various endangered species from extinction, with a team of experts assisted by a celebrity…
- Gallipoli: The Frontline Experience (2005)
- Dir. Tolga Ornek
- Devastating documentary which revises traditional treatments of the notorious WW1 Gallipoli Campaign, to present the experience from the perspective…
- Grumpy Old Women (TV Series) (2005)
- A range of female celebrities gripe about everything from their husbands to drunkenness in this forthright – and often amusing – homage…
- H. H. Dalai Lama : The Six Paramitas (TV Series) (2005)
- A detailed examination of the practice of the Buddhist philosophy, as outlined by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.
Disc 1: Buddhism, Central…
- Hell's Kitchen USA (TV Series) (2005-2008)
- Feat. Gordon Ramsay
- High–tension reality show headlined by the unrelenting Gordon Ramsay as he pits a group of wannabe American chefs against each other until a…
- I Shouldn't Be Alive (TV Series) (2005)
- The makers of TOUCHING THE VOID seek out more remarkable stories of human resilience, dramatising ten harrowing tales of near–death through…
- In Search of Myths and Heroes (TV Series) (2005)
- Feat. Michael Woods
- BBC presenter Michael Wood explores four of the most famous myths in the world – Shangri–la, the Golden Fleece, the Queen of Sheba, and…
- Intervention (TV Series) (2005)
- An Emmy–winning series that pairs qualified professionals with families and friends attempting to help their loved ones recover from their…
- Ladette To Lady (TV Series) (2005)
- Trashy reality show that places a group of rough–and–ready "tom boys" in a finishing school to try and turn them into proper ladies who…
- Meerkat Manor (TV Series) (2005)
- In the tradition of ANIMALS ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, this cheeky Animal Planet series follows a commune of Meerkats living in the Kalahari Desert in…
- Miami Ink (TV Series) (2005)
- Tattoo–obsessed reality series chronicling the day–to–day custom of a parlour on Miami Beach, its creative and entrepreneurial…
- Off the Rails - A Love Story (TV Series) (2005)
- Feat. Marcus Lush
- Quality TV series that journeys with presenter and train buff Marcus Lush from Bluff in the South to Opua in the North on a variety of railways…
- Project Runway (TV Series) (2005)
- Mega–hit reality show presented by supermodel Heidi Klum sees fifteen designers compete against each other in order to win enough cash to start…
- Rediscovering Intrepid Journeys (TV Series) (2005)
- Generally enlightening TV series in which New Zealand celebrities journey to various exotic climes and give a running version of their…
- Search for the Northwest Passage (2005)
- Dir. Louise Osmond
- A partially dramatised documentary examines the two most famous expeditions which attempted to find a passage around the northern–most…
- Story of 1, The (The Story of One) (2005)
- Dir. Nick Murphy
Feat. Terry Jones
- Truly fascinating BBC documentary that sees Ex–Python Terry Jones traverse the globe in search of the history of numbers, and in particular,…
- Wild South America (TV Series) (2005)
- Another entry in the BBC documentary series charting the natural history of the Earth's continents, this time the varied ecology and life of South…
- British Isles: A Natural History (TV Mini-series) (2004)
- Dir. Mary Colwell
- Utilising the latest scientific evidence and cinematic f/x, this 8–part series guides us through the aeons of geological time, as they relate…
- John Safran vs God (TV Series) (2004)
- Feat. John Safran
- Ozzie media–satirist John Safran explores religion in the modern world with high irreverance, low humour and agnostic scepticism.
Among the…
- Long Way Round (TV Series) (2004)
- Feat. Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
- An engrossing 'reality' show which tags along with actor Ewan McGregor (TRAINSPOTTING) and his best friend Charley Boorman on an improvised…
- Map Makers, The (TV Series) (2004)
- Dir. Stuart Clarke, Ali McGrath
- An SBS – 'History Channel' documentary series which describes the intriguing history of cartography and the efforts of Western civilization to…
- Monarchy (TV Series) (2004)
- Historical TV Series presented by Dr David Starkey tracing the blood–stained history of the English monarchy covering all the epic battles and…
- Persuaders, The (2004)
- Incisive doco from American public affairs series FRONTLINE takes a penetrating look at the multi–billion dollar American advertising industry…
- Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (TV Series) (2004-2005)
- Feat. Gordon Ramsay
- Potty–mouthed chef and reality TV mogul Mr Gordon Ramsay visits some of the scummiest and most incompetent restaurants and gives them a swift…
- Staircase, The (TV Mini-series) (Soupcons) (2004)
- Dir. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade
- Fascinating and ambiguous documentary mini–series tracks in detail the trial of a North Carolina man accused of murdering his wife, who was…
- Status Anxiety (TV Series) (2004)
- Writer and presenter Alain De Botton explores the myth that our level of material wealth and career success has a bearing on our happiness and…
- Art: 21 (TV Series) (Art in the 21st Century) (2003)
- A PBS documentary series looking at visual art in America in the 21st century, eliciting some fascinating insights from various creative types.…
- Australian Idol (TV Series) (2003)
- The Australian version of the globally popular talent show which looks to narrow down and groom a selection of young candidates for a career as a pop…
- Days That Shook The World (TV Series) (2003)
- A monumental overview of the world’s most profound and history–defining events, this tome to humankind's great achievements and failures is…
- Grumpy Old Men (TV Series) (2003-2004)
- An impressive array of British male celebrities take their turn to chew the fat on all manner of irksome annoyances especially concerning the modern…
- Killing Hitler (TV Mini-series) (2003)
- Dir. Jeremy Lovering
Feat. Peter McDonald, Kate Ashfield, Kenneth Cranham…
- Accurate docu–drama merging archival footage with recreations and educated interview to portray and dissect 'Operation Foxley' – a secret…
- Mythbusters (TV Series) (2003)
- A series which attempts to test and debunk various 'urban myths', by having two special f/x experts devise (often highly destructive) experiments to…
- Peter Blake - Death on the Amazon (2003)
- Investigative documentary about the death of famed New Zealand yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, who was sailing up the Amazon River in 2001 before being…
- Simple Life, The (TV Series) (2003)
- Feat. Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie
- One of the more gratuitous 'Reality TV' shows puts famously inane heiress Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie (daughter of Lionel), into farm clothes to…
- Surreal Life, The (TV Series) (2003-2006)
- Feat. Corey Feldman, Gabrielle Carteris
- Tacky reality show that places washed–up actors and ex–reality stars in a LA mansion and watches the sparks fly as these has–been…
- Vietnam War with Walter Cronkite (2003)
- Collection of CBS Documentaries narrated by broadcaster Walter Cronkite revealing the graphic inside story of the Vietnam War through the medium of…
- Walking With Cavemen (2003)
- Dir. Richard Dale
- Continues the series of BBC documentaries begun by WALKING WITH THE DINOSAURS into the era of early mankind. Uses dramatisations and CGI to…
- Captain's Log (2002)
- Feat. Peter Elliot
- Peter Elliot sails around New Zealand retracing Captain Cook's voyage of discovery in 1769. Travelling on 20 different boats, this television series…
- Cirque du Soleil - Fire Within (TV Series) (2002)
- A 13–part documentary series which showcases the creative processes of the 'Cirque du Soleil' dance–theatre troupe who specialise in a…
- David Attenborough: Life on Air (2002)
- Feat. David Attenborough, Michael Palin
- Intriguing look at the television career of the charismatic naturalist draws on a wealth of archival material and Attenborough's own keen memory.…
- Flying Visit, A (TV Series) (2002-2003)
- Former TVNZ weatherman Jim Hickey channels the heritage of his father as a WWII Spitfire pilot and flies a Cessna 182 around New Zealand airstrips,…
- Kings and Queens (TV Series) (2002)
- A solid TV documentary series tracing lives and reigns of 12 of England's most influential monarchs. Historian Dr Nigel Spivey draws from an array of…
- Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan, The (I Told You I Was Ill) (2002)
- Dir. Dominic Brigstocke
Feat. Kathy Burke, Harry Enfield, Eddie Izzard…
- A live tribute to the genius of British comedian Spike Milligan, devised by the BBC 6 months after his death. Features performances and readings of…
- Living Room, The (TV Series) (2002-2006)
- Nicely quirky and unpretentious TV series about different (mostly young) local artists living in New Zealand and overseas. Each episode is presented…
- Nick Frost's Danger! 50,000 Volts (TV Series) (2002)
- Feat. Nick Frost, Simon Pegg
- Amusing TV series that provides practical advice on surviving the many pitfalls of our perilous world, while also managing to find humour in its…
- Osbournes, The (TV Series) (2002)
- Feat. Ozzy Osbourne
- A smash hit of the ‘Reality TV’ genre, this follows the antics of wealthy heavy metaller Ozzy Osbourne, wife/manager Sharon and two of their…
- Spy in the... Collection, The (TV Series) (2002-2004)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- Overtly sneaky wildlife doco series where cameras are hidden in the environments of a den of lions, a herd of elephants, a clan of bears and a pride…
- Big Brother (TV Series) (2001-2003)
- 'Unseen, Uncut, Unreel' – A three part compilation of selected 'highlights' from the Australian version of the ultimate Reality TV…
- Billy Connolly - World Tour of... (TV Series) (2001)
- Feat. Billy Connolly
- TV series following comedian Billy Connolly on tour throughout the world.
"World Tour of England, Scotland and Wales" (available to rent):…
- Hip-Hop Nation: Notes from the Underground (TV Series) (2001)
- A comprehensive, but suitably casual tour of the contemporary hip–hop movement and all its various facets: the history, the luminaries, the…
- Krays, The (The Final Word) (2001)
- Dir. Aubrey Powell
- Although probably not the 'final word' on the notorious East End gangsters who ruled London in the 1950s–60s, this is still an impressively…
- Wild Africa (TV Series) (2001)
- Typically thorough BBC doco series charts the natural history of the African continent, which is unique in its flourishing biodiversity. Comprising…
- Wine Lovers Guide to Australia (TV Series) (2001)
- Acclaimed TV Series hosted by wine expert Grant van Every and wine–maker Maryann Egan, documents everything from the history of…
- First Person (TV Series) (2000)
- Dir. Errol Morris
- Errol Morris, the renowned cinematic observer of human testimony, nuance and eccentricity, here extends his patented "Interrotron" interview…
- Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness (TV Series) (2000)
- Feat. Alain de Botton
- Presented by respected modern–day philosopher Alain de Botton, this six part series features six historical thinkers and their theories on how…
- State of the Planet (TV Mini Series) (2000)
- A three–part series in which BBC documentarian David Attenborough investigates the various environmental crises besetting Earth at the present…
- Awful Truth, The (TV Series) (1999)
- Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore
- Find out what's really going on in America with merciless media activist Michael Moore, fighting for the common man against the evil–doers of…
- Grand Designs (TV Series) (1999-2016)
- Kevin McCloud presents this inspiring design series investigating the architectural aspirations of a selection of British homeowners keen on pushing…
- Louis Theroux's - The Collection (Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, When Louis Met....) (1999)
- Four disc set compiling the best of the affable Louis Theroux, drawing from his three series to date.
More disarming than Borat, Theroux’s…
- New Zealand Wars, The (1999)
- Dir. James Belich
Feat. James Belich
- Praised, yet inevitably controversial documentary series on New Zealand's 19th century history, in particular the various land–wars between…
- Two Fat Ladies (TV Series) (1999)
- Feat. Jennifer Paterson, Clarissa Wright
- The commanding humour, presence and culinary skills of Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Wright are served up in this cuddly cooking series.
- Zoo, The (TV Series) (1999-2006)
- Selected highlights from New Zealand's own animal documentary series, which looks at the goings–on at the Auckland Zoo among the various animal…
- Barry Humphries - Flashbacks (TV Series) (1998)
- Feat. Barry Humphries
- Iconic Aussie entertainer Barry Humphries and his alter–ego's Dame Edna, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone take us on a journey through a slice…
- Enrico Caruso: Voice of the Century (1998)
- Biographical documentary exploring the life of the Italian operatic tenor, filmed in Naples and featuring Placido Domingo, Beverly Sills, and Luciano…
- Planet Ustinov - Following the Equator with Peter Ustinov (1998)
- Mark Twain's 1898 account of his epic journey around the globe is traced by Peter Ustinov in this part travelogue, part history lesson, which takes…
- Top Gear (TV Series) (1998)
- Feat. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May
- Selected highlights from the BBC series in which three car–crazy lads (Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond) have fun driving and…
- Michael Palin: Full Circle (TV Series) (1997)
- Feat. Michael Palin
- The intrepid Michael Palin completes another quasi–anthropological circumlocution of the globe, with a 15000 mile journey around the Pacific…
- Biography - The Inventors (TV Series) (1996-2000)
- A 'Biography Channel' series which presents informative summaries of the lives and achievements some of the most notable inventors of the past 300…
- Lost Civilizations (TV Series) (1995)
- Historical series covering nearly 7000 years of history over 25 countries. Brought to life with spfx technology and recreated historically accurate…
- Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe (TV Series) (1994)
- Follow–up to the popular MYSTERIOUS WORLD series with Sci–fi author Arthur C Clarke investigating more strange phenomena around the…
- House of Windsor, The (TV Series) (1994)
- The story of the most famous family in the world – from the reign of the first Windsors, King George V and Queen Mary, to the long rule of…
- Inside The Actors Studio (TV Series) (1994-2006)
- Revered interview series hosted by James Lipton, in which the burly talk show host engages high profile guests on the art of acting and filmmaking,…
- Joanna Lumley: Girl Friday (1994)
- Feat. Joanna Lumley
- Considered one of the first programmes to experiment with the celebrity travelogue concept, this vintage BBC series features Joanna Lumley as a 'fish…
- Time Team (TV Series) (1994)
- Feat. Tony Robinson
- Stimulating television series featuring a group of enthusiastic archaeologists unearthing the secrets of British history from overlooked areas of…
- Masterpieces of the Hermitage (TV Series) (1992)
- A breathtaking tour through the State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersberg, home to some three million works of art. Begining with the 14th century…
- Pole to Pole (TV Series) (1992)
- Feat. Michael Palin
- Michael Palin's followup to his model travel–series AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Here he journeys from the North Pole to South Pole across Asia…
- Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (TV Series) (1992)
- Strangely intriguing series hosted by Sister Wendy Beckett – an endearingly impish nun with a passion for paintings who takes her viewers on a…
- Jerry Springer Uncut (Jerry Springer Uncensored) (1991)
- An appalling compilation of salacious and outrageous moments from the legendarily vulgar tabloid talk–show hosted by Jerry Springer, sometimes…
- Lost Worlds - Vanished Lives (1989)
- Famed nature–boffin David Attenborough here delves into the subject of prehistoric fossils, speculating in typically comprehensive fashion as…
- First Eden, The (TV Series) (The Mediterranean World and Man) (1987)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- Part of Sir David Attenborough's canonical 1967 Natural World project, this series focuses on the Mediterranean, cradle of Western civilization, from…
- Oprah Winfrey Show: 20th Anniversary Collection (1986-2006)
- Feat. Oprah Winfrey
- A gigantic 6–DVD distillation of the extremely influential US daytime TV show which propelled Oprah Winfrey into mega–celebrity, wealth…
- In Search of the Trojan War (1985)
- Dir. Bill Lyons
- A thorough, intelligible excavation of Homer’s epic poems and the speculation of a Trojan Society, historian Michael Wood takes us back in time via…
- Our Heritage (TV Series) (1981)
- A unique series of television snippets, in which seven ballads by legendary Waitakere historian Jack Diamond are recited over historical imagery and…
- Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World (TV Series) (1980)
- Sci–fi author Arthur C Clarke investigates strange phenomena around the planet in this intriguing television series. Travelling the world from…
- Life on Earth (TV Series) (1978)
- Feat. David Attenborough
- David Attenborough's groundbreaking epic of evolutionary study traces chronologically the development of the fauna, the fish, insects and animals we…
- Frost/Nixon Watergate Interviews (1977)
- Dir. Jorn Winther
Feat. David Frost, Richard Nixon
- The legendary 28 hour interview between the charismatic David Frost and former President Richard Nixon is touted as the greatest political interview…
- Tomorrow Show, The: John, Paul, Tom and Ringo (1975-1981)
- Hosted by broadcasting legend Tom Synder, this features the last ever interview with John Lennon before he disappeared from the public eye, as well…
- Ascent of Man, The (TV Series) (1973)
- Feat. Jacob Bronowski
- Renowned TV series from the era of epic–length documentaries, this analyses the progress of mankind through scientific and technological…
- Alistair Cooke's America (TV Series) (1972)
- Feat. Alistair Cooke
- Considered one of the great TV documentary series, this is English broadcaster Cooke's personal view of American history and its teeming,…
- Rossellini's History Films: Renaissance and Enlightenment (The Age of the Medici, Cartesius, Blaise Pascal) (1972-1974)
- Dir. Roberto Rossellini
- Three TV films about some of the western world's major figures and moments, from Italian master Roberto Rossellini in the final phase of his…
- Attenborough In Paradise: The David Attenborough Specials (1971-2004)
- Collection of one–off TV shows hosted by David Attenborough over the years, including 'Attenborough In Paradise', 'The Lost Gods Of Easter…
- Civilisation (TV Series) (1969)
- "Not a history of the arts, but a history of life–giving beliefs and ideas made visible and audible through the medium of art." Kenneth Clark's…
- It Happened Here (1963)
- Dir. Kevin Brownlow, Andrew Mollo
- A genuine filmic curiousity, this meticulous historical fantasy proposes that Nazi Germany invaded Britain in 1940 – leading to a lengthy…
- Whicker's World (TV Series) (1958-1994)
- Feat. Alan Whicker
- Fronted by one of the most celebrated social commentators and journalists of the 20th century, Alan Whicker's television masterpieces saw the polite…
- Coast New Zealand (TV Series)
- New Zealand chapter of the picturesque BBC documentary series exploring the world's coastlines. Neil Oliver returns as presenter, and explores…