SBS Documentaries

In Southern Spain, in the heart of Andalusia, lies an extraordinary treasure - The Fortress of Alhambra. Built more than 800 years ago by the Nasrids - an Arab dynasty that ruled over the region - it was erected as a military stronghold, surrounded by 2,000 meters of ramparts, and protected by 29 towers. But behind its austere facade, Alhambra conceals sumptuous palaces, patios embellished with fountains and basins, and above all, extremely refined decorations that cover almost every part of the buildings. In this arid region, you will discover the engineering treasures that the builders had to develop to face the heat of suffocating summers, as well as the impressive hydraulic network with many unique devices to provide the city with water.

Stretching some 21,196 kilometres across the sweep of Northern China and delineating the edge of the Mongolian Steppe, the Great Wall of China is a staggering feat of engineering and ingenuity – a vast system of fortifications unrivalled by any other human construction. Seeing the entire wall is a massive undertaking, but that’s exactly what the new UK documentary Great Wall of China: The Making of China proposes to do, starting in the East at Old Dragon’s Head in the small town of Shanhaiguan in Hebei province, on the shore of the Bohai Sea, to the distant deserts of Ningxia in the far West. It’s a fascinating voyage, with chatty host John Nettles (Midsomer Murders) apprising of the Wall’s colourful history and current conditions along the way.

A new international hotspot is bustling with energy in south-eastern China - Yiwu. It is the starting point of the longest train connection of the world, crossing Eurasia to Madrid, and the centre of trade.

A stone’s throw from the iconic Cheops pyramids, another famous man-made creation rises, towering over the Giza Plateau - The Grand Egyptian Museum. The construction of this ultra-modern building of unprecedented proportions, stretching over 117 acres, was recently finalised. With its 20 years of construction punctuated with pitfalls and dead ends, 5000 daily onsite workers and 1-billion-dollar budget, it is the biggest construction site the world has ever seen. Welcome to the biggest museum in the world.

In this sumptuous docu-drama, we lift the lid on the salacious activities of the aristocratic elite of the Georgian period, revealing that marriages were about money, love came at a price, and to get to the top, some Georgians had to get on top.

All roads lead to Rome - or more precisely to its most iconic landmark - the Colosseum. Built under Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century CE, this magnificent monument, spanning two thousand years of history, is an emblem of the power of a bygone empire. With over seven million visitors a year, its massive structure and awesome architecture testify to the genius of ancient Roman building techniques, earning it a place not only among UNESCO’s world heritage sites, but as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

On the east coast of Japan sit towns abandoned by humans since 2011’s fateful nuclear disaster at Fukushima. It’s an area thought no longer suitable for life, though the animals residing there beg to differ. In this one-hour special, we venture into life in a nuclear disaster zone, following an international group of experts investigating the animals who defy all odds and thrive despite the toxic landscape. Watch as we try to understand the wild, dangerous and the surprising in Fukushima: Nature In The Danger Zone.

The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the most important religious journeys for millions of people around the world. But how to get there? This documentary shows us how 12 companies met the immense challenge of running a high-speed train through Saudi Arabia’s sandy rocky desert in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. A true marvel of engineering and cooperation, and together, overcoming obstacles.

One of history’s great puzzles is how the Maya established such a remarkable civilisation in a tropical rainforest over two thousand years – and then vanished. The fall of the Maya civilisation in southern Mexico is a dramatic and horrifying tale of power, god-kings, climate change, battle, despair, and increasing sacrifice. The astonishing story of the collapse of the ancient Maya kings may be revealed – by the ancient Maya themselves – thanks to new science and discoveries.

Providing the scuba diving experience to the younger generation is more than just an ideology. What it is about is simply making a start to give them the gift of knowledge and ability. To provide them an extremely rare opportunity to experience their first breath beneath the surface.

In 1478, Italy is shaken by the momentous assassination of the banker's son Giuliano de Medici. The Medici are the most powerful family in Renaissance Florence, dominating politics and the economy. Florence Kasumba and her team investigate the motives and those behind the assassination. By deciphering secret documents, the last accomplices can now be unmasked – Pope Sixtus IV.

Vincent van Gogh lived a life between genius and madness - until he killed himself. Or was it a homicide? For more than 100 years, the world has believed that the artist took his own life. However, biographer Steven Naifeh disagrees. 27 July 1890: Van Gogh arrives at his inn in the evening, bleeding, shot in the stomach. Florence Kasumba uncovers surprising details.

In August 1962, actress Marilyn Monroe died under mysterious circumstances. Official cause of death: 'probable suicide'. But many things point to murder: a too beautifully draped corpse, capped investigations, missing clues. In addition, Marilyn's affairs with the then President John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby. The film star also threatened to divulge intimate and political details. Did this spell her doom? New evidence may be contained in the ominous Box 39 in the UCLA archives.

In 1963, Sean Connery bursts onto the screen as James Bond in 'Dr. No', the first episode of a saga that is destined to become legendary. With the secret agent tuxedo, the poor kid from the streets of Edinburgh becomes a global star. The role of James Bond brings Sean Connery fame and fortune. It also becomes his burden. For a long time, the actor seeks to break away from his image of 007, to play more cerebral characters. A slow and difficult emancipation, which he lives as a real quest for himself.

Sydney's Northern Beaches, from Manly to Palm Beach, are one of the most iconic and stunning stretches of coastline on the planet. Post Covid, they are also one of the safest coastlines to explore. We join Lachlan Walmsley, dive instructor, as he explores the oceans off-shore, through the eyes and narrative of its locals.

With the decoding of the Egyptian hieroglyphs, Jean-François Champollion solved one of the greatest mysteries in human history. However, he did not accomplish this feat alone but alongside his eldest brother.

In the 18th century, London is the biggest city in the world, a global centre for trade, manufacturing and industry. Bigger and richer than ever before, there is money to spend.

Water is the lifeblood of Venice, but it also threatens its foundations. During the pandemic, experts and inhabitants were able to combine their know-how to repair their city and prepare it for the next floods.

An exploration of Autun, a small town in Burgundy with a quiet appearance, which has a well-established past. It was one of the largest and most spectacular capitals of Roman Gaul.

One of the finest medieval mansions in history, the Palais des Rois once stood on the Ile de la Cite in Paris. The crew travel back in time to explore the two of its remaining parts.