Documentary Movies
The Animals Film (1981)
The film offers a comprehensive examination of the exploitation of animals in modern society.
Stations of the Elevated (1981)
Stations of the Elevated exposes viewers to an underground art scene- that is, one found exclusively on the sides of subways and train cars. A moving portrait of late-70’s NYC,…
Mur Murs (1981)
Venturing from Venice Beach to Watts, Varda looks at the murals of LA as backdrop to and mirror of the city’s many cultures. She casts a curious eye on graffiti…
The Killing of America (1981)
A documentary of the decline of America. Featuring footage (most exclusive to this film) from race riots to serial killers and much, much more.
Not a Love Story: A Film About Pornography (1981)
Documentary about the pornography industry and the apparent violent anti-woman slant much of it takes.
Being Different (1981)
A tribute to the spirit and humanity of people who are physically different from the average: very tall and very large men and women, a bearded woman and her long-time…
The New Deal for Artists (1981)
The Arts Project of the Work Projects Administration (1935-1942) was a USA government agency established to support writers, theater people, painters, sculptors, and photographers.
The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.
God’s Angry Man (1981)
The documentary follows Gene Scott, famous televangelist involved with constant fights against FCC, who tried to shut down his TV show during the 1970s and ’80s, and even argues with…
Faces of Death II (1981)
Brief scenes of death related material: mortuaries, accidents and police work are filmed by TV crews and home video cameras. Some of it is most likely fake, some not as…
This Is Elvis (1981)
Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close…
There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace: Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues (1981)
Chronicles the history of Negro Leagues baseball by using rare historical footage and interviews with black baseball greats.
Document of the Dead (1981)
A documentary about George A. Romero’s films, with a behind scenes look at Dawn of the Dead.
Edward Hopper (1981)
A film based on a search undertaken by filmmaker Ron Peck into the life and work of the painter Edward Hopper.
Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (1980)
Directors Werner Herzog and Errol Morris make a bet which results in Herzog living up to his promise that he would eat his shoe if Errol Morris ever completed the…
The Solar Film (1980)
Educational film about solar energy, told with striking imagery and animation.
Larisa (1980)
Elem Klimov’s documentary ode to his wife, director Larisa Shepitko, who was killed in an auto wreck.
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise (1980)
Robert Mugge filmed jazz great Sun Ra on location in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. between 1978 and 1980. The resulting 60-minute film includes multiple public and private performances, poetry…
Lightning Over Water (1980)
Director ‘Nicholas Ray’ is eager to complete a final film before his imminent death from cancer. Wim Wenders is working on his own film Hammett (1983) in Hollywood, but flies…
Divine Madness (1980)
Divine Madness is a 1980 concert film directed by Michael Ritchie, and featuring Bette Midler during her 1979 concert at Pasadena’s Civic Auditorium. The 94-minute film features Midler’s stand-up comedy…
D.O.A. (1980)
Documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the punk movement with rare interview footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Also concert and news footage.
The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (1980)
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols “documentary”, told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular and punk…
Fist of Fear Touch of Death (1980)
A television reporter interviews fighters and promoters about Bruce Lee in preparation for a tournament to claim the title of “Successor to the Bruce Lee legacy”. Footage from Bruce Lee’s…
AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (1980)
1. Live Wire 2. Shot Down In Flames 3. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be 4. Sin City 5. Walk All Over You 6. Bad Boy Boogie 7. The…
Talking Heads (1980)
People of different age, profession and social status answer two simple questions: who they are and what they want from life.
Rude Boy (1980)
Rude Boy is a semi-documentary, part character study, part ‘rockumentary’, featuring a British punk band, The Clash. The script includes the story of a fictional fan juxtposed with actual public…
The Candidate (1980)
Made with an eye to the autumn of 1980 when the German parliamentary elections took place, The Candidate examines Germany’s history past and present and Franz Josef Strauß, the man…
Poto and Cabengo (1980)
Documentary by Jean-Pierre Gorin about twin girls who spontaneously developed their own unique language as children.
Take It to the Limit (1980)
This movie is a fun look back into a bygone era of motorcycling. More than the ubiquitous “history of Harley” type documentaries, this move looks at the entire culture of…
Walkabout to Hollywood (1980)
Produced and directed this documentary for BBC in the 1980’s, about David Gulpilil, acclaimed Australian Aboriginal actor, dancer and musician. The film shows how Gulpilil is always working to bridge…
Women in Rock (1980)
A documentary about women in the punk rock scene in Europe.
Mary Millington’s True Blue Confessions (1980)
A tribute to Britain’s number one sex symbol of the 1970’s – Mary Millington. Made a year after her tragic death, this film uses archive footage from all aspects of…
The Motion Picture Camera (1979)
The history and development of motion picture machinery is lovingly and authoritatively presented and narrated by ASC cinematographer and film preservationist, Karl Malkames, using actual early motion picture cameras from…
Fårö Document 1979 (1979)
In 1969, with Sven Nykvist as cinematographer, Ingmar Bergman made The Fårö Document, a film that ended with a rather pessimist view of the island’s future. One of the scenes…
Libidomania (1979)
Mondo Movie dealing with various sexual aberrations and perversions. The sources of inspiration include Freud, De Sade and Richard von Kraft-Ebing.
Frank Zappa: Baby Snakes (1979)
Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.
The War at Home (1979)
Documentary film about the anti-war movement in the Madison, Wisconsin area during the time of the Vietnam War. It combines archival footage and interviews with participants that explore the events…
Soft Fiction (1979)
Chick Strand’s SOFT FICTION is a personal documentary that brilliantly portrays the survival power of female sensuality. It combines the documentary approach with a sensuous lyrical expressionism. Strand focuses her…
Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (1979)
This Academy Award-winning documentary short Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist, narrated by Sidney Poitier, traces the career of Paul Robeson through his activism and his socially charged performances of…
Derek and Clive Get the Horn (1979)
A documentary recording the making of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore’s comedy album Derek and Clive Ad Nauseam.