Videoteca

location_onWashington, D.C., U.S.A.publicUS

The Last 747 2023
The iconic design of the Boeing 747 has endured for over 5 decades, but the end of production is looming. In this documentary special we follow the build of this last aircraft, whilst exploring how the 747 truly changed the world and influenced our lives in ways we never even realised.

Cassius X: Becoming Ali 2023 star_border 10
Cassius X puts a period of often-overlooked history into the spotlight – the period when Cassius Clay fought his way to achieving his lifelong dream of becoming World Heavyweight Champion while embarking on a secret spiritual journey.

Master of Glass: The Art of Dale Chihuly 2022
Chihuly is widely known as the enigmatic figure behind impressive glass sculptures that are both well-integrated yet strikingly imposing as they float through Finland's rivers, crowd the narrow canals of Venice, blossom across the ceiling of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, and grace the galleries of major museums across the country and across the world.

Afrofuturism: The Origin Story 2022 star_border 10
The term “Afrofuturism” was coined decades ago to describe an artistic and cultural tradition that pre-dates the transatlantic slave trade. From the poetry of Phillis Wheatley, to Martin R. Delany’s alt-history novel Blake, to Sun Ra’s avant-garde music to Marvel’s Black Panther (the special’s premiere coincides with the release of that blockbuster film’s sequel, Wakanda Forever), the African American experience has been explored and reimagined through a speculative, even cosmically scaled lens for centuries, in a variety of artistic mediums. The special seeks to explore the concept through conversation and performance, as some of today’s most influential Black musicians, writers, dancers and theorists come together to share their ideas and artistry as they celebrate the historical and cultural impact of Afrofuturism.

Hudson River Wild 2022
At first glance, the Hudson appears to be just another industrial river. Tree-lined riverbanks are interspersed between cultivated land, bridges, shipping docks, private homes and marinas, factories, chemical plants and brickyards. But go a little deeper and you begin to see sandbars, marshes, waterfalls, lakes and surging rapids. The Adirondacks. The Catskills. Thousands of acres of untamed habitat transform and amaze us with each changing season. It is arguably one of America’s greatest secrets and untold stories. The majestic bald eagle, symbol of the United States, becomes our guide and cinematic touchstone. We will follow the eagle, from courtship to parenting, while moving down the river towards the Atlantic exploring the richly diverse and changing habitats and the profound beauty and challenges to wildlife that come with the changing seasons.

Growing Up Grizzly: A Tale of Two Orphans 2022
Casey Anderson has rescued and raised a number of grizzlies in order to save their lives. After 25 years of diving deeper into “bear world” than most PhD’s ever have, Casey’s knowledge about grizzlies continues to grow. But … so have his questions about what’s really best for the bears ... and whether or not we’ve actually explored all of the options possible for orphaned cubs.

America's Lost Airship: Weapon of War 2022
From scouting missions to fleet protection, the U.S. Navy had big plans for their Titanic-sized aircraft. So, what happened?

The Color of Care 2022 star_border 2
The Color of Care chronicles how people of color suffer from systemically substandard healthcare in the United States, with a pressing focus on how the Covid-19 pandemic shed light on the tragic consequences of that inequity. Oprah’s Harpo Productions and the Smithsonian Channel are teaming up on the timely project, which traces the origins of this systemic inequity to practices that first emerged during slavery in the United States.

Behind the Holiday: Thanksgiving 2021
Behind the familiar myths and tales of patriotism, the true story of Thanksgiving's origins bears little resemblance to how we celebrate today.

Cher & the Loneliest Elephant 2021 star_border 7.7
"The World's Loneliest Elephant" Kaavan will finally experience freedom, thanks to his biggest champion, the one & only Cher. We'll follow Cher, Free The Wild, Four Paws International, and Kaavan on every step of the trip.

Wildest California 2021
Follow the dramas of mustangs, elephant seals, and other wildlife taking place in California’s reserves and sanctuaries.

Mystery of the Ice Age Giants 2020 star_border 6.7
During the last Ice Age, millions of large animals roamed the Earth, from wooly mammoths and giant sloths to cave lions and saber-toothed cats. But as the temperatures rose, three-quarters of these species died out. What happened? Can environmental changes alone really explain this mass extinction, or did humans—who at this very time were beginning their conquest of the planet—play a key role? To find out, researchers around the world are hunting and studying fossils in their search for answers to solve the mystery of the Ice Age giants.

Breaking the Sound Barrier 2020 star_border 8
On October 14, 1947, Captain Chuck Yeager accomplished what many thought was impossible: he broke the sound barrier and in doing so, changed aviation history forever. Behind this remarkable achievement was a dedicated team of rocket scientists and engineers, and one incredible plane, a Bell X-1 named "Glamorous Glennis." This is the story of the plane and the people who dared to travel faster than the speed of sound, pushing flight science forward and proving that no matter the barrier, humanity can find a way to break through.

100 Missions Surviving Vietnam 2020 star_border 6
Track the stories of the pilots of Vietnam's Operation Rolling Thunder and their race to survive their 100-mission goal.

A Bee's Diary 2020 star_border 8
Bees are one of the most important species on the planet. A look at the trials and tribulations of two particular honeybees over two years from birth to death.

V-Day: Volcanic Planet 2020 star_border 10
Earth is a volcanic planet, with over 1,400 active giants spread across the globe. But what would happen if all of them were to erupt at once? From rivers of lava, towering ash clouds, and pyroclastic flows to tsunamis and super-sized climate change, we explore the powerful volcanic forces that fascinate today's scientists. Join us as we conduct a thrilling thought experiment with leading volcanologists that reveals the inner workings of some of the world's most magnificent volcanoes.

Aboard Air Force One 2020
Air Force One is a marvel of military engineering. For more than half a century, the presidential fleet of armed jumbo jets has served as a flying fortress for America's commanders-in-chief, carrying them in victory, in shame, and even death. Join us as we take an unprecedented look at the world's most famous aircraft: how it was born, how it has developed over the decades, and the role it has played in historic events, from the death of Kennedy to the 9/11 attacks to a morale-building, surprise Thanksgiving visit to Iraq, and more.

Midway - au cœur des combats 2019 star_border 8

La Grande Histoire de l'évolution animale 2019 star_border 8

Islands of Fire 2019
Few places on Earth remain largely untouched and uninhabited by humans, but such spots exist in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a vast chain of volcanic mountains that have surfaced as tiny, isolated islands thousands of miles from any mainland. These worlds serve as both playgrounds and sanctuaries, where some species struggle and others thrive. Discover the secrets of these little-known oases as we explore eight islands, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.

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Aerial Argentina 2022 star_border 2
Venture into one of South America's most scenic locales, abundant in both dense cityscapes and rolling natural landscapes, and see the beauty of Argentina from a bird's eye view.

Animals Decoded 2022
This educational miniseries is a must-watch for all animal lovers interested in learning how our furry, feathered or scaly friends behave, communicate, and thrive.

Race to Victory 2020
It's 1945 and the final 100 days of World War II play out on both sides of the globe. In Europe, it begins with the Battle of the Bulge and ends with Hitler's suicide. In the Pacific, it picks up midway through the bloodbath in Okinawa and ends with a blast that will change warfare forever. Examine the final act of the European and Pacific theaters, captured through rare war footage and the personal accounts of U.S. soldiers from both campaigns, a British correspondent, and a Japanese admiral.

Secrets Unlocked 2020 star_border 8
Join host Adam Mastrelli as he brings us face-to-face with the puzzling treasures of remarkable relics that are full of secrets, written in stone, gold, and blood. Explore hidden corners of the world, decipher ancient documents, and apply groundbreaking research and forensic techniques in our quest to discover the truth about these fabled cities, monuments, and remnants.

Atomic Age Declassified 2019 star_border 9
Taking viewers back to the Atomic Age of the mid-20th century by going on a mission to identify the endless possibilities of atoms as an energy source.

Russie sauvage : la mer d'Okhotsk 2018

The Pacific War in Color 2018 star_border 7.4
Witness iconic assaults, intense battles, and intimate moments of the Pacific War, in color.

Carriers at War 2018 star_border 9
From the shipyard to the battlefield, see what makes U.S. supercarriers the cornerstone of America's naval might.

Crazy Monster 2017
Enter a world filled with the most spectacular freaks of nature on the planet. Here you will find a weird and wonderful collection of leaping spiders, snot-casting fish, blood-sucking bats, flesh-boring bugs, and other bizarre creatures occupying our land, sea, and sky. Join us as we celebrate oddities of all shapes, sizes, and species, giving an up-close view of them in their natural habitat, and revealing how these misfits of nature have developed their strange adaptations over tens of millions of years.

Africa's Predator Zones 2015 star_border 8
Enter the battlefields of Africa, arenas bathed in a history of savagery and blood, where big cats and big crocs have reigned supreme for centuries. Here in the open plains, muddy swamps, and deep rivers, these super predators don't simply survive in hostile and unforgiving conditions, they thrive because of them. See how these four-legged assassins adapt to their surroundings and use the terrain to unlock new hunting techniques, seek out new prey, and amplify their age-old skills by using the lay of the land.

Planes That Changed the World 2015
This new series features the fascinating stories of three of the most important commercial aircraft ever to take to the skies.

World War II: Final Days 2014
As the deadliest war in history draws to an end, the bloodshed is far from over. For ten soldiers and civilians caught in this theatre of war's final act, the last days of World War II would change their lives forever. Witness the stories of the courageous men and women whose sacrifice and survival, triumph and tragedy provide unique insight into some of the most terrifying days in history. Their firsthand accounts will take you into Hitler's Bunker, to the scene of Mussolini's capture and murder, and to the horrific discovery of the Nazi's most ghastly secret.

Wild Burma: Nature's Lost Kingdom 2013 star_border 9
For the first time in over 50 years, a team of wildlife film-makers and scientists has been granted access to venture deep into Burma's impenetrable jungles. Their mission is to discover whether these forests are home to iconic animals, rapidly disappearing from the rest of the world - this expedition has come not a moment too soon.

Seriously Amazing Objects 2013
America: land of liberty, opportunity, and some Seriously Amazing Objects, many of which are on display or in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution. Join us as we whisk unsuspecting museum visitors inside the vaults to get up close and personal with some of history's great treasures. From the Spirit of St. Louis to the Model T, and from Edison's light bulb to Seinfeld's "puffy shirt," this series celebrates our nation's explorers, trailblazers, and megastars, sharing their stories through unforgettable objects.

Civil War 360 2013 star_border 6
Take a journey back in time and immerse yourself in a 150-year-old battle that nearly split our nation in two. This three-part series explores famous and little known aspects of the Civil War, from the perspectives of the Union, the Confederacy and the millions of enslaved people struggling for freedom. Hosted by Ashley Judd, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Haysbert, all of whom had ancestors greatly affected by the war, this series delivers fresh insights and untold tales, brought to life through dramatic recreations and the Smithsonian Institution's vast collection of artifacts.

Angkor: Land of the Gods 2013 star_border 10
Buddhists, Hindus, and hundreds of thousands of travelers from around the globe flock to Cambodia every year to experience the grandeur of Angkor. Its famous temples were built over the span of five centuries by the rulers of the Khmer Empire, and endure today as one of Earth's greatest archaeological wonders. We peel away the myth and legend to uncover the hidden story behind the creation of this ancient city.

Aerial America 2010 star_border 6.8
Take off on a thrilling flight across America. This epic series offers rare glimpses of our nation's most treasured landmarks, all seen from breathtaking heights. From busy cityscapes to quiet landscapes, we capture the history and the pageantry of our amazing country, which is as diverse as the people who occupy it.