the cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be come with me
ever will be come with me
ever will be come with me these miniseries were so good you’ll
these miniseries were so good you’ll
these miniseries were so good you’ll wish they were a bit longer welcome to
wish they were a bit longer welcome to
wish they were a bit longer welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
down our picks for the top ten
down our picks for the top ten documentary miniseries does it seem so
documentary miniseries does it seem so
documentary miniseries does it seem so in light theme for this list we’re
in light theme for this list we’re
in light theme for this list we’re focusing on documentaries that were
focusing on documentaries that were
focusing on documentaries that were split into several different episodes
split into several different episodes
split into several different episodes that ran over a specific period of time
that ran over a specific period of time
that ran over a specific period of time rather than feature-length one part or
rather than feature-length one part or
rather than feature-length one part or DOX we will not be afraid to speculate
DOX we will not be afraid to speculate
DOX we will not be afraid to speculate but we will be careful to distinguish
but we will be careful to distinguish
but we will be careful to distinguish speculation from fact number ten cosmos
speculation from fact number ten cosmos
speculation from fact number ten cosmos a personal voyage the cosmos is also
a personal voyage the cosmos is also
a personal voyage the cosmos is also within us we’re made of starstuff
within us we’re made of starstuff
within us we’re made of starstuff we are away of a cosmos and know itself
we are away of a cosmos and know itself
we are away of a cosmos and know itself if you want to look at science in a
if you want to look at science in a
if you want to look at science in a completely different way look no further
completely different way look no further
completely different way look no further than this 13-part series originally
than this 13-part series originally
than this 13-part series originally running from September to December in
running from September to December in
running from September to December in 1980 this miniseries shows the late
1980 this miniseries shows the late
1980 this miniseries shows the late great science communicator Carl Sagan
great science communicator Carl Sagan
great science communicator Carl Sagan giving us a history lesson on many
giving us a history lesson on many
giving us a history lesson on many different aspects of science this is our
different aspects of science this is our
different aspects of science this is our own Milky Way seen from the outside from
own Milky Way seen from the outside from
own Milky Way seen from the outside from astrology to the human brain to climate
astrology to the human brain to climate
astrology to the human brain to climate change it may not take much to
change it may not take much to
change it may not take much to destabilize the Earth’s climate to
destabilize the Earth’s climate to
destabilize the Earth’s climate to convert this heaven our only home in the
convert this heaven our only home in the
convert this heaven our only home in the cosmos into a kind of hell all tied
cosmos into a kind of hell all tied
cosmos into a kind of hell all tied together with groundbreaking effects and
together with groundbreaking effects and
together with groundbreaking effects and a killer soundtrack
the result was one of the most-watched
the result was one of the most-watched public TV series ever with 500 million
public TV series ever with 500 million
public TV series ever with 500 million people watching it around the world and
people watching it around the world and
people watching it around the world and a 2014 reboot hosted by Neil deGrasse
a 2014 reboot hosted by Neil deGrasse
a 2014 reboot hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson January 1st the Big Bang
Tyson January 1st the Big Bang
Tyson January 1st the Big Bang [Music]
number nine the Beatles Anthology there
number nine the Beatles Anthology there are four of the nice instructions we’ve
are four of the nice instructions we’ve
are four of the nice instructions we’ve ever had on our stage the bezel if
ever had on our stage the bezel if
ever had on our stage the bezel if there’s any band that deserves a huge
there’s any band that deserves a huge
there’s any band that deserves a huge anthology dedicated to them it’s the Fab
anthology dedicated to them it’s the Fab
anthology dedicated to them it’s the Fab Four accompanied by albums a book and
Four accompanied by albums a book and
Four accompanied by albums a book and two new songs
two new songs
two new songs [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the anthology takes us from John Paul
the anthology takes us from John Paul
the anthology takes us from John Paul George and Ringo smiled hoods all the
George and Ringo smiled hoods all the
George and Ringo smiled hoods all the way to their breakup in 1970 I want to
way to their breakup in 1970 I want to
way to their breakup in 1970 I want to do this and Joe wants to do that
do this and Joe wants to do that
do this and Joe wants to do that you know George was often you know
you know George was often you know
you know George was often you know people would you know we had families an
people would you know we had families an
people would you know we had families an in-depth look at the best and worst
in-depth look at the best and worst
in-depth look at the best and worst times in the Beals history with dialog
times in the Beals history with dialog
times in the Beals history with dialog coming from interviews with the band
coming from interviews with the band
coming from interviews with the band members themselves the anthology
members themselves the anthology
members themselves the anthology commemorates a successful career
[Music]
[Music] plus we also hear their best songs at
plus we also hear their best songs at
plus we also hear their best songs at different points throughout the series
different points throughout the series
different points throughout the series making this one a practice in nostalgia
making this one a practice in nostalgia
making this one a practice in nostalgia as well
number eight the blue planet join us on
number eight the blue planet join us on a journey to the very bottom of the deep
a journey to the very bottom of the deep
a journey to the very bottom of the deep sea to an alien world never revealed
sea to an alien world never revealed
sea to an alien world never revealed before one of several miniseries to be
before one of several miniseries to be
before one of several miniseries to be narrated by David Attenborough the blue
narrated by David Attenborough the blue
narrated by David Attenborough the blue planet takes us on a one-of-a-kind
planet takes us on a one-of-a-kind
planet takes us on a one-of-a-kind journey through the world’s oceans
journey through the world’s oceans
journey through the world’s oceans teaching us about their histories and
teaching us about their histories and
teaching us about their histories and taking us through their unexplored
taking us through their unexplored
taking us through their unexplored underwater recesses these three meter
underwater recesses these three meter
underwater recesses these three meter sharks come such great Suede’s through
sharks come such great Suede’s through
sharks come such great Suede’s through the sardine shows that their tracks are
the sardine shows that their tracks are
the sardine shows that their tracks are clearly visible from the air through
clearly visible from the air through
clearly visible from the air through eight episodes we see underwater
eight episodes we see underwater
eight episodes we see underwater creatures from places like South Africa
creatures from places like South Africa
creatures from places like South Africa Australia and the Arctic and are shown
Australia and the Arctic and are shown
Australia and the Arctic and are shown never-before-seen animals and behaviors
never-before-seen animals and behaviors
never-before-seen animals and behaviors from the depths of the ocean
from the depths of the ocean
from the depths of the ocean [Music]
utilizing almost 200 filming locations
utilizing almost 200 filming locations and taking almost five years to complete
and taking almost five years to complete
and taking almost five years to complete the blue planet ended up winning
the blue planet ended up winning
the blue planet ended up winning multiple Emmys and spawned the 2003
multiple Emmys and spawned the 2003
multiple Emmys and spawned the 2003 theatrical documentary deep blue this is
theatrical documentary deep blue this is
theatrical documentary deep blue this is a world of constant jeopardy an endless
a world of constant jeopardy an endless
a world of constant jeopardy an endless cycle of birth death and renewal number
cycle of birth death and renewal number
cycle of birth death and renewal number seven a personal journey with Martin
seven a personal journey with Martin
seven a personal journey with Martin Scorsese through American movies film is
Scorsese through American movies film is
Scorsese through American movies film is a disease Frank Capra said when it
a disease Frank Capra said when it
a disease Frank Capra said when it infects your bloodstream it takes over
infects your bloodstream it takes over
infects your bloodstream it takes over as the number one hormone who better to
as the number one hormone who better to
as the number one hormone who better to take us on a trip through some of the
take us on a trip through some of the
take us on a trip through some of the best movies ever made then one of the
best movies ever made then one of the
best movies ever made then one of the most acclaimed directors ever a poet or
most acclaimed directors ever a poet or
most acclaimed directors ever a poet or a painter can be a loner the American
a painter can be a loner the American
a painter can be a loner the American film director has to be first and
film director has to be first and
film director has to be first and foremost a team player grouping some of
foremost a team player grouping some of
foremost a team player grouping some of his favorite movies based on the type of
his favorite movies based on the type of
his favorite movies based on the type of director who brought them to life
director who brought them to life
director who brought them to life director and film historian Martin
director and film historian Martin
director and film historian Martin Scorsese gives the viewer a look at the
Scorsese gives the viewer a look at the
Scorsese gives the viewer a look at the best movies from genres like silent film
best movies from genres like silent film
best movies from genres like silent film westerns film noir and even musical the
westerns film noir and even musical the
westerns film noir and even musical the world was a stage and it belonged to
world was a stage and it belonged to
world was a stage and it belonged to those who could sing and dance
in a three-part miniseries that lasts
in a three-part miniseries that lasts almost four hours
almost four hours
almost four hours ain’t got no eyes II can enter the
ain’t got no eyes II can enter the
ain’t got no eyes II can enter the spirit land has to wander forever
spirit land has to wander forever
spirit land has to wander forever between the winds speaking as a fan and
between the winds speaking as a fan and
between the winds speaking as a fan and filmmaker Scorsese explains how the
filmmaker Scorsese explains how the
filmmaker Scorsese explains how the movies influenced the industry and his
movies influenced the industry and his
movies influenced the industry and his own filmmaking actually when I was a
own filmmaking actually when I was a
own filmmaking actually when I was a little younger there was another journey
little younger there was another journey
little younger there was another journey I wanted to make it was a religious one
I wanted to make it was a religious one
I wanted to make it was a religious one I wanted to be a priest however I soon
I wanted to be a priest however I soon
I wanted to be a priest however I soon realized that my real vocation my real
realized that my real vocation my real
realized that my real vocation my real calling was the movies number 6 walking
calling was the movies number 6 walking
calling was the movies number 6 walking with dinosaurs
with dinosaurs
with dinosaurs now you’ve reached a remarkable period
now you’ve reached a remarkable period
now you’ve reached a remarkable period in Earth’s history known as the
in Earth’s history known as the
in Earth’s history known as the Cretaceous it is a very different world
Cretaceous it is a very different world
Cretaceous it is a very different world paving the way for a franchise that
paving the way for a franchise that
paving the way for a franchise that included miniseries about walking with
included miniseries about walking with
included miniseries about walking with beasts walking with cavemen and walking
beasts walking with cavemen and walking
beasts walking with cavemen and walking with monsters prehistoric ride as well
with monsters prehistoric ride as well
with monsters prehistoric ride as well as a feature like film in 2013 this
as a feature like film in 2013 this
as a feature like film in 2013 this miniseries used cgi animatronics and
miniseries used cgi animatronics and
miniseries used cgi animatronics and special effects to recreate how
special effects to recreate how
special effects to recreate how dinosaurs live and behaved in the
dinosaurs live and behaved in the
dinosaurs live and behaved in the Mesozoic era
Mesozoic era
Mesozoic era but now the Pasillas are the only ones
but now the Pasillas are the only ones
but now the Pasillas are the only ones of that kind but remain and the result
of that kind but remain and the result
of that kind but remain and the result was much more like Jurassic Park than
was much more like Jurassic Park than
was much more like Jurassic Park than anything you’d expect to see in a TV
anything you’d expect to see in a TV
anything you’d expect to see in a TV documentary mimicking nature
documentary mimicking nature
documentary mimicking nature documentaries by eliminating talking
documentaries by eliminating talking
documentaries by eliminating talking head interviews
head interviews
head interviews [Music]
[Music]
[Music] what’s even crazier is that this BBC
what’s even crazier is that this BBC
what’s even crazier is that this BBC production was the most expensive
production was the most expensive
production was the most expensive documentary series per minute ever made
documentary series per minute ever made
documentary series per minute ever made according to the Guinness Book of World
according to the Guinness Book of World
according to the Guinness Book of World Records and we say that it was worth it
Records and we say that it was worth it
Records and we say that it was worth it took millions of years for earth to
took millions of years for earth to
took millions of years for earth to recover and when it did the giant
recover and when it did the giant
recover and when it did the giant dinosaurs were gone
dinosaurs were gone
dinosaurs were gone never to return number five the civil
never to return number five the civil
never to return number five the civil war more than three million americans
war more than three million americans
war more than three million americans fought in it and over six hundred
fought in it and over six hundred
fought in it and over six hundred thousand men two percent of the
thousand men two percent of the
thousand men two percent of the population died in it
population died in it
population died in it famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns
famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns
famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has made several celebrated
has made several celebrated
has made several celebrated documentaries for PBS and this one in
documentaries for PBS and this one in
documentaries for PBS and this one in particular became the channels
particular became the channels
particular became the channels most-watched show to that point with
most-watched show to that point with
most-watched show to that point with about 40 million tuning in to its first
about 40 million tuning in to its first
about 40 million tuning in to its first broadcast I can do it all McClellan said
broadcast I can do it all McClellan said
broadcast I can do it all McClellan said but he did nothing with 9 episodes aired
but he did nothing with 9 episodes aired
but he did nothing with 9 episodes aired over five straight nights the Civil War
over five straight nights the Civil War
over five straight nights the Civil War showed Burns’s trademark use of archival
showed Burns’s trademark use of archival
showed Burns’s trademark use of archival photos of war combined with a musical
photos of war combined with a musical
photos of war combined with a musical soundtrack narration interviews add
soundtrack narration interviews add
soundtrack narration interviews add after recreations of significant
after recreations of significant
after recreations of significant historical figures but not once in a
historical figures but not once in a
historical figures but not once in a century our men permitted to bear such
century our men permitted to bear such
century our men permitted to bear such responsibilities for freedom and justice
responsibilities for freedom and justice
responsibilities for freedom and justice for God and humanity as are now placed
for God and humanity as are now placed
for God and humanity as are now placed upon you Burns documentary proved so
upon you Burns documentary proved so
upon you Burns documentary proved so successful with the American public
successful with the American public
successful with the American public even then President George HW Bush was a
even then President George HW Bush was a
even then President George HW Bush was a fan if the rebels would lay down their
fan if the rebels would lay down their
fan if the rebels would lay down their guns and go home Lincoln said they
guns and go home Lincoln said they
guns and go home Lincoln said they should be welcomed back as citizens of
should be welcomed back as citizens of
should be welcomed back as citizens of the United States number 4 North America
the United States number 4 North America
the United States number 4 North America you find our own story
you find our own story
you find our own story our spirit forged in the land narrated
our spirit forged in the land narrated
our spirit forged in the land narrated by Tom Selleck and internally produced
by Tom Selleck and internally produced
by Tom Selleck and internally produced by the Discovery Channel this miniseries
by the Discovery Channel this miniseries
by the Discovery Channel this miniseries is a feast for the senses and is a
is a feast for the senses and is a
is a feast for the senses and is a virtual tour of all the nature that
virtual tour of all the nature that
virtual tour of all the nature that North and Central America have to offer
North and Central America have to offer
North and Central America have to offer 30,000 males largest concentration of
30,000 males largest concentration of
30,000 males largest concentration of snakes on earth in the first five
snakes on earth in the first five
snakes on earth in the first five episodes were taken to places like the
episodes were taken to places like the
episodes were taken to places like the Canadian Prairies the Appalachian
Canadian Prairies the Appalachian
Canadian Prairies the Appalachian Mountains and even Costa Rica where we
Mountains and even Costa Rica where we
Mountains and even Costa Rica where we see incredible landscape shots as well
see incredible landscape shots as well
see incredible landscape shots as well as the behavior of the wildlife and
as the behavior of the wildlife and
as the behavior of the wildlife and underwater life throughout the continent
underwater life throughout the continent
underwater life throughout the continent they quickly separate the cat from her
they quickly separate the cat from her
they quickly separate the cat from her mother’s side
beautiful and informative this series
beautiful and informative this series turns the camera toward a continent that
turns the camera toward a continent that
turns the camera toward a continent that many call home but few truly stop to
many call home but few truly stop to
many call home but few truly stop to admire she is smitten
admire she is smitten
admire she is smitten [Music]
number three jazz now you have the
number three jazz now you have the people getting the spiritual sound of
people getting the spiritual sound of
people getting the spiritual sound of the church and they also get in that
the church and they also get in that
the church and they also get in that secular sound of the blues over a decade
secular sound of the blues over a decade
secular sound of the blues over a decade after his extremely successful
after his extremely successful
after his extremely successful miniseries the civil war Ken Burns
miniseries the civil war Ken Burns
miniseries the civil war Ken Burns brought another successful documentary
brought another successful documentary
brought another successful documentary to PBS this time he focused on the
to PBS this time he focused on the
to PBS this time he focused on the history of American jazz music blackie
history of American jazz music blackie
history of American jazz music blackie when they invent this music weren’t
when they invent this music weren’t
when they invent this music weren’t looking back to Africa they were looking
looking back to Africa they were looking
looking back to Africa they were looking at America and looking at the future and
at America and looking at the future and
at America and looking at the future and looking at what they were as Americans
looking at what they were as Americans
looking at what they were as Americans told through interviews with some of the
told through interviews with some of the
told through interviews with some of the genres most significant personalities
genres most significant personalities
genres most significant personalities and illustrated with Burns’s signature
and illustrated with Burns’s signature
and illustrated with Burns’s signature use of archived photos his name in the
use of archived photos his name in the
use of archived photos his name in the neighborhood was little Louie but his
neighborhood was little Louie but his
neighborhood was little Louie but his full name was Louis Armstrong this
full name was Louis Armstrong this
full name was Louis Armstrong this miniseries showed us the great artists
miniseries showed us the great artists
miniseries showed us the great artists records and jazz styles that popped up
records and jazz styles that popped up
records and jazz styles that popped up over the genres timeline but also
over the genres timeline but also
over the genres timeline but also touched on some of the most
touched on some of the most
touched on some of the most controversial aspects of his history
controversial aspects of his history
controversial aspects of his history more specifically racial segregation and
more specifically racial segregation and
more specifically racial segregation and drug use to support his habit to feed
drug use to support his habit to feed
drug use to support his habit to feed the beast as he remembered he stole from
the beast as he remembered he stole from
the beast as he remembered he stole from friends pawned his horn
friends pawned his horn
friends pawned his horn even became a pimp number two the world
even became a pimp number two the world
even became a pimp number two the world at war – every Patriot Germany could not
at war – every Patriot Germany could not
at war – every Patriot Germany could not be free while Versailles stood Hitler
be free while Versailles stood Hitler
be free while Versailles stood Hitler alone seemed the savior foretold by the
alone seemed the savior foretold by the
alone seemed the savior foretold by the monuments of the border an expensive
monuments of the border an expensive
monuments of the border an expensive undertaking that cost a record nine
undertaking that cost a record nine
undertaking that cost a record nine hundred thousand pounds
hundred thousand pounds
hundred thousand pounds the oldest miniseries on this list is
the oldest miniseries on this list is
the oldest miniseries on this list is also the longest with 26 episodes but
also the longest with 26 episodes but
also the longest with 26 episodes but it’s a series that earned enough praise
it’s a series that earned enough praise
it’s a series that earned enough praise to justify its inclusion I saw the
to justify its inclusion I saw the
to justify its inclusion I saw the Arizona blow up and she just like if she
Arizona blow up and she just like if she
Arizona blow up and she just like if she just rained sailors created in Britain
just rained sailors created in Britain
just rained sailors created in Britain but told from the point of view of
but told from the point of view of
but told from the point of view of interviewees who had been there and
interviewees who had been there and
interviewees who had been there and witnessed the event firsthand thing I
witnessed the event firsthand thing I
witnessed the event firsthand thing I remember most about that morning was
remember most about that morning was
remember most about that morning was terror and confusion the world at war is
terror and confusion the world at war is
terror and confusion the world at war is a detailed historical account of World
a detailed historical account of World
a detailed historical account of World War 2 Hitler had a 90% young for a
War 2 Hitler had a 90% young for a
War 2 Hitler had a 90% young for a million still voted nine taking us from
million still voted nine taking us from
million still voted nine taking us from the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany
the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany
the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany all the way to the aftermath of the war
all the way to the aftermath of the war
all the way to the aftermath of the war Isaac’s expensive and celebrated work
Isaac’s expensive and celebrated work
Isaac’s expensive and celebrated work gives us a comprehensive look of one of
gives us a comprehensive look of one of
gives us a comprehensive look of one of the most world-changing events ever
the most world-changing events ever
the most world-changing events ever Singapore’s fall meant that the whole of
Singapore’s fall meant that the whole of
Singapore’s fall meant that the whole of Southeast Asia layered Japan’s feet
Southeast Asia layered Japan’s feet
Southeast Asia layered Japan’s feet within weeks the Japanese army was at
within weeks the Japanese army was at
within weeks the Japanese army was at the borders of India and the Japanese
the borders of India and the Japanese
the borders of India and the Japanese Navy was steaming close to the shores of
Navy was steaming close to the shores of
Navy was steaming close to the shores of Australia before we unveil our top pick
Australia before we unveil our top pick
Australia before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions when
here are a few honorable mentions when
here are a few honorable mentions when he swung that bat he was the producing
he swung that bat he was the producing
he swung that bat he was the producing that you’ve ever seen
that you’ve ever seen
that you’ve ever seen aha welcome to the story of film and
aha welcome to the story of film and
aha welcome to the story of film and Odyssey an epic tale of innovation
Odyssey an epic tale of innovation
Odyssey an epic tale of innovation across twelve decades six continents
across twelve decades six continents
across twelve decades six continents and a thousand films
on the brink of a major expedition he
on the brink of a major expedition he readies himself to face the challenge of
readies himself to face the challenge of
readies himself to face the challenge of the Seas danger and mystery although
the Seas danger and mystery although
the Seas danger and mystery although walrus use ice to rest on they also love
walrus use ice to rest on they also love
walrus use ice to rest on they also love to bask on rocks in the Summer Sun
to bask on rocks in the Summer Sun
to bask on rocks in the Summer Sun things a vital part of a chimpanzees
things a vital part of a chimpanzees
things a vital part of a chimpanzees dive number one
dive number one
dive number one planet Earth and some just can’t seem to
planet Earth and some just can’t seem to
planet Earth and some just can’t seem to get enough of them
get enough of them
get enough of them the first BBC nature doc filmed in crisp
the first BBC nature doc filmed in crisp
the first BBC nature doc filmed in crisp and clear High Definition this
and clear High Definition this
and clear High Definition this miniseries was the priciest documentary
miniseries was the priciest documentary
miniseries was the priciest documentary of its kind to ever have been made for
of its kind to ever have been made for
of its kind to ever have been made for the BBC a follow-up to David
the BBC a follow-up to David
the BBC a follow-up to David Attenborough’s the Blue Planet this
Attenborough’s the Blue Planet this
Attenborough’s the Blue Planet this effort focused less on underwater worlds
effort focused less on underwater worlds
effort focused less on underwater worlds and more on general nature educating the
and more on general nature educating the
and more on general nature educating the public on the earth and its wildlife
public on the earth and its wildlife
public on the earth and its wildlife with sublimely filmed footage and
with sublimely filmed footage and
with sublimely filmed footage and smashing ratings records in the process
smashing ratings records in the process
smashing ratings records in the process the more extravagant a male is the more
the more extravagant a male is the more
the more extravagant a male is the more likely he’ll be notice so successful it
likely he’ll be notice so successful it
likely he’ll be notice so successful it prompted the 2007 feature film version
prompted the 2007 feature film version
prompted the 2007 feature film version earth blinded by Sam the calf barely has
earth blinded by Sam the calf barely has
earth blinded by Sam the calf barely has the strength to go on
as well as the follow-up series Frozen
as well as the follow-up series Frozen Planet and human planet planet Earth was
Planet and human planet planet Earth was
Planet and human planet planet Earth was a groundbreaker in the medium that took
a groundbreaker in the medium that took
a groundbreaker in the medium that took five years to make
do you agree with our list what’s your
do you agree with our list what’s your favorite all-time documentary miniseries
favorite all-time documentary miniseries
favorite all-time documentary miniseries [Music]
with new top 10s published every day be
with new top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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