Awe-Inspiring Documentaries

Grid System

I have a hankering to have my mind blown by the world, to revel in the splendour of the universe. Think documentaries in the same vein as Carl Sagan's Cosmos or the BBC's Planet Earth. Not either of those, though, because I've already watched them. Length isn't an issue; suggestions of single, hour-long shows and multi-part series are equally welcome. Something with an overall positive tone is a must. I'm not interested right now in watching humanity's (self) destructive impulses at work. Historical documentaries are okay, so long as they examine human triumphs, but something with a focus on the natural world would be ideal. Finally, there have to be impressive visuals, and a rousing score would be great.

Thanks!

firewaterword

Baraka. Koyaanisqatsi as well, if you haven't seen it yet.

Winged Migration is pretty great too.

This is a big departure from the suggestions above, but as far as I'm concerned, Sandwiches You Will Like is the best documentary ever made. Ever. I've probably seen it three or four times, but god help me if I don't watch it every time it's on.
Clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT6RLHXgeJ8

Also, keep an eye out for Ken Burns' new series on America's natural parks - I think it's called Our Best Idea, and should be out in the late summer/fall.

SpongeCake

Blue Planet was made by the same team (I think) as Planet Earth and is basically the same stuff but more watery. The DVD version might be called Deep Blue. Awesome documentary though.

Improvolone

In the shadow of the moon
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0925248/

Esh

Man On Wire is ridiculously awe inspiring.

Zombiemambo

White Light, Black Rain - a documentary about the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with interviews with the survivors. I cried like a little baby.

JRosey

Encounters at the End of the World is the best documentary I've seen. Explores what happens when you put strange people in strange places.

mere_immortal

Not sure if you can find it, but James May on the Moon was really awesome.

TexiKen

Firewaterword is on the right track.

Basically anything done by Rick Sebak is golden. All American cross country fun. They are usually on PBS, especially during the summer.

And the best documentary ever is "A Hot Dog Program"

mere_immortal

Doesn't really adhere to the natural world thing you're looking for, but Stephen Fry in America is fantastic.

Intelligent, thought provoking, funny and down to earth all the while having one of the most charming and witty people in history as your guide.

Saddler

Terry Jones's Medieval Lives is a great and funny historical documentary series. Instantly viewable if you have Netflix. It doesn't exactly focus on triumphs, but instead is more about everyday life, and dispelling myths about medieval times.

Staleghoti

Do you like sports?

Do you like Mogwai?

Do you like obscure documentaries with no dialogue?

Zidane:_A_21st_Century_Portrait is pretty damn neat

Slagmire

I finally caught all of Murderball not too long ago and thought it was great. It's about Wheelchair Rugby (which used to be called Murderball in its beginnings) and focuses on the US and Canadian teams (primarily the US team) before the 2004 Paralympic Games. It's a pretty damn cool sport and the film has a lot of the stuff you're looking for.

Pixel Blue

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BEAST!

Esh wrote: »

Man On Wire is ridiculously awe inspiring.

Yes...this this this

JRosey wrote: »

Encounters at the End of the World is the best documentary I've seen. Explores what happens when you put strange people in strange places.

Also this, really any of Werner Herzogs documentaries are amazing, but this one specifically since you're into the "splendor of the universe" type stuff...Herzog has done some very amazing documentaries about human triumph too though, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly" and "Land of Silence and Darkness" come to mind

KalTorak

Goddamnit, that Sandwiches youtube clip made me hungry as fuck.