Documentaries

Inspirational and award-winning documentaries from over 25 years of groundbreaking television

See all Documentaries on 4oD
  • Gypsy Blood

    Gypsy Blood

    Gypsy Blood examines the violent culture that some gypsy and traveller fathers hand on to their children, exploring its impact on two fathers and their young sons

  • Newport Bouncers

    Bouncers

    Funny, irreverent and often surprising film following the boys of Newport's biggest security firm over a summer of booze and brotherhood

  • MotherTruckers

    MotherTruckers

    How do women lorry drivers get on with their male colleagues, juggle families, and stay feminine? This amusing film meets the new queens of the road.

4od
Order Order by A to Z Order by Date Broadcast
  1. Police officer and cars The Force

    With unprecedented access to Hampshire Constabulary, this series follows the investigation of three major crimes, offering a rare and unique insight into the reality of modern policing [S] More on The Force

  2. Sailing in Force of Nature Force of Nature

    Documentary series featuring true stories of men and women who suddenly found themselves face-to-face with the raw, ferocious power of the elements More on Force of Nature

  3. Four Boys versus Four Girls Four Sons versus Four Daughters

    Cutting Edge examines how much children shape their parents' lives as two families - one with four daughters, the other with four sons - swap kids for a long weekend to find out [S] More on Four Sons versus Four Daughters

    Last broadcast: 11 August 2010, on

  4. Four Wives, One Man Four Wives, One Man

    Born and raised in Iran, film-maker Nahid Persson returns there to meet a 50-year-old man with four wives, twenty children - and an irascible, foul-mouthed mother More on Four Wives, One Man

  5. A French Affair French Affair

    Who are the French? Why do so many of us go on holiday there each year? And, more importantly, why do we want to live there? More on French Affair

  6. Krays The Gangster and the Perverted Peer

    What was the connection between the rise of the Kray twins, from small-time racketeers to leaders of the most powerful criminal organisation in London, and a Tory peer with a passion for kinky sex? More on The Gangster and the Perverted Peer

  7. Garbage Warrior Garbage Warrior

    This True Stories documentary is Oliver Hodge's inspiring account of the epic story of maverick architect Michael Reynolds and his fight to introduce sustainable housing in the Nevada desert More on Garbage Warrior

  8. Gay to Z Gay to Z

    Introducing six young people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB). Each faces very different issues, some of which relate to their sexual orientation and others that are just part of growing up. [S] More on Gay to Z

  9. The children from Generation XXL Generation XXL

    This long-term series follows seven obese children for a decade, revisiting them every two years to discover what it's like to grow up as an obese child in Britain today [S] More on Generation XXL

  10. David Attenborough Genius of Britain

    Britain's top scientific names tell the story of the British science and ingenuity that has been at the forefront of some of history's greatest advances [S] More on Genius of Britain

  11. Richard Dawkins The Genius of Charles Darwin

    Richard Dawkins presents the ultimate three-part guide to Charles Darwin and his masterpiece, On the Origin of Species [S] More on The Genius of Charles Darwin

  12. Gerry Gerry's Big Decision

    Sir Gerry Robinson, one of Britain's most respected businessmen, comes to the rescue of several companies across the UK, armed with his personal cheque book [S] More on Gerry's Big Decision

  13. Ghetto Britain Ghetto Britain: 30 Years of Race

    Dr Robert Beckford embarks on a polemical quest exploring the legacy of the Race Relations Act. Has it succeeded in creating a multicultural dream, or has the plan spectacularly backfired? More on Ghetto Britain: 30 Years of Race

  14. Ghosts Ghosts

    Nick Broomfield's gripping drama inspired by the shocking tragedy of the Chinese cockle pickers who drowned in Morecambe Bay in 2004, caught by the rising tide on a freezing winter's night More on Ghosts

  15. Ghosts of Abu Ghraib Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

    Filmmaker and director Rory Kennedy's disturbing account of what went on in the torture rooms of Iraq's notorious prison More on Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

  16. The Ghosts of Oxford Street The Ghosts of Oxford Street

    Malcolm McLaren charts the extraordinary history of London's famous shopping street in a musical film that incorporates rappers, choirs, church organs and some special guest performers More on The Ghosts of Oxford Street

  17. Girls on the Pull Girls on the Pull

    First Cut follows three women living with trichotillomania, an impulse control disorder that causes them to pull out their own hair [S] More on Girls on the Pull

    Last broadcast: 16 July 2010, on

  18. The Glass House The Glass House

    Hamid Rahmanian's moving True Stories film is a unique insight into Iran through the prism of a day centre for troubled women More on The Glass House

  19. Choir performing on stage Gleeful: The Real Show Choirs of America

    One-off documentary exploring the phenomenon of school show choirs in America that have inspired hit E4 drama Glee. The programme follows current school glee clubs and includes interviews with ex-choir members and their singing teachers. [S] More on Gleeful: The Real Show Choirs of America

  20. Go Greek for a Week Go Greek for a Week

    Three British families experience first-hand some of the causes of Greece's financial meltdown, from hairdressers retiring aged 53 to surgeons enjoying favourable income tax rates [S] More on Go Greek for a Week

    Last broadcast: Monday 07 November, 8PM on Channel 4

  21. Richard Dawkins The God Delusion

    Professor Richard Dawkins' personal journey through the world's three great monotheistic religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam More on The God Delusion

  22. Going Back Going Back

    British families with roots elsewhere spend three months road testing the country their families came from to decide whether to move there permanently [S] More on Going Back

    Last broadcast: 14 March 2011, on

  23. Going Cold Turkey Going Cold Turkey

    Krishnan Guru-Murthy charts the tough physical and psychological challenges faced by a group of heroin addicts as they attempt to kick their habit at a detox clinic More on Going Cold Turkey

  24. Gok Wan: Made in China

    Gok Wan travels to his ancestral home to explore the world of Chinese mass production, examining the country's ingenuity, cutting-edge manufacturing technology and work ethic More on Gok Wan: Made in China

  25. Good Dog! Bad Dog! Good Dog! Bad Dog!

    An examination of the issues surrounding pedigree dog breeding More on Good Dog! Bad Dog!

    Last broadcast: 14 March 2010, on

  26. Google Baby Google Baby

    An Israeli entrepreneur is proposing a new service: pregnancy producing. His customers can select sperm and eggs online, with surrogacy outsourced to India. But what are the ethical and moral implications? [S] More on Google Baby

    Last broadcast: 31 May 2011, on

  27. Graffiti Wars Graffiti Wars

    Graffiti Wars examines street art and graffiti, and the creative tensions and conflicts within this artistic arena More on Graffiti Wars

    Last broadcast: 14 August 2011, on

  28. The Great Chinese Art Revolution The Great Chinese Art Revolution

    Documentary exploring how Chinese art has caught the world's attention, creating an international art market that is developing as fast as the country's economy More on The Great Chinese Art Revolution

  29. The Great Escape: The Reckoning The Great Escape: The Reckoning

    The true story of the 76 Allied airmen who famously escaped from Stalag Luft in 1944, and the subsequent hunt for the Gestapo officers who executed 50 of the re-captured airmen [S] More on The Great Escape: The Reckoning

  30. The Great Inca Rebellion The Great Inca Rebellion

    An examination of new evidence suggesting the Incas fought a decades-long guerrilla war against the Spanish conquistadors [S] More on The Great Inca Rebellion

    Last broadcast: Wednesday 30 November, 11.10PM on More4

  31. Great Migrations Great Migrations

    Filmed in more than 20 countries across a three-year period, Great Migrations follows the journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species [S] More on Great Migrations

    Last broadcast: Saturday 03 September, 7.15PM on Channel 4

  32. The Great Piano Scam The Great Piano Scam

    This First Cut reveals an astonishing musical scam, detailing how an entire industry was conned into believing that a woman in her 70s had managed to record over 100 phenomenal CD [S] More on The Great Piano Scam

  33. The Great Train Robbery's Missing Mastermind? The Great Train Robbery's Missing Mastermind?

    Using previously confidential files, investigative author Andrew Cook exposes a new angle on The Great Train Robbery, searching for the inside man who tipped the robbers off [S] More on The Great Train Robbery's Missing Mastermind?

    Last broadcast: Monday 09 January, 8PM on Channel 4

  34. Great Wall of China The Great Wall of China

    This intriguing documentary tells the story behind the Great Wall of China, one of the world's great wonders and the most ambitious building project ever attempted [S] More on The Great Wall of China

  35. Grey Gardens Documentary Grey Gardens Documentary

    Albert and David Maysles' film tells the true story of distressed Edith 'Big Edie' Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, whose plight touched a nation's heart More on Grey Gardens Documentary

  36. Grizzly Man Grizzly Man

    Tim Treadwell lived among the Alaskan grizzlies - only to suffer a fatal bear attack. A failed actor, he often filmed himself, and Werner Herzog used the footage to make this extraordinary film. More on Grizzly Man

  37. The Ground Zero Mosque The Ground Zero Mosque

    An examination of the hysteria, fury and politics surrounding the proposed mosque and Islamic community centre two blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks in Manhattan [S] More on The Ground Zero Mosque

    Last broadcast: Monday 05 September, 8PM on Channel 4

  38. Guilty Pleasures Guilty Pleasures

    Julie Moggan's True Stories film examines the allure of the fantasy world created by Mills & Boon's massively popular romance novels, through the eyes of three enthusiasts, one writer and a cover model [S] More on Guilty Pleasures

    Last broadcast: 12 April 2011, on

  39. Gunpowder Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

    This dramatic story of Britain's most notorious terrorist conspiracy delves into a shadowy world of subterfuge, spying and surveillance More on Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

  40. Tribespeople gather under a tree Guns, Germs and Steel

    Based on Jared Diamond's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Guns, Germs and Steel traces humanity's journey over the last 13,000 years, from the dawn of farming to the realities of life in the 21st century More on Guns, Germs and Steel

  41. Gypsy Blood Gypsy Blood

    Gypsy Blood examines the violent culture that some gypsy and traveller fathers hand on to their children, exploring its impact on two fathers and their young sons [S] More on Gypsy Blood

    Last broadcast: Thursday 19 January, 10PM on Channel 4

  42. Earthquake damage Haiti's Killer Quake: Why It Happened

    A look at the huge earthquake that devastated Haiti on 12 January 2010, examining what happened and why, using 3D graphics and location footage to pick apart the mechanics of the quake [S] More on Haiti's Killer Quake: Why It Happened

  43. Half Ton Veg Half Ton Veg

    Light-hearted documentary that follows three wonderfully British obsessives in their pursuit of their holy grail: to grow the biggest, longest and heaviest vegetables the world has ever seen... [S] More on Half Ton Veg

  44. Hardeep Singh Kohli Hardeep Does

    Hardeep Singh Kohli is not afraid to ask the questions no one else would... The Glaswegian writer and comedian undertakes a wry personal investigation of some of the big issues in the UK today. More on Hardeep Does

  45. Head over Heels in Rats Head Over Heels in Rats

    Kate and Kevin Rattray have 27 rats. First Cut explores their unconventional love affair with their brood, from losing a beloved member of the 'family', to births and birthday parties. [S] More on Head Over Heels in Rats

    Last broadcast: 28 January 2011, on

  46. healthfoodjunkies Health Food Junkies

    Rowan Deacon's First Cut film meets health food worshippers who believe theirs is the healthiest diet on the planet. They don't eat wheat, dairy, sugar, meat or fish, and what they do eat is raw. [S] More on Health Food Junkies

  47. Hear and Now Hear and Now

    Paul Taylor and his wife Sally were born deaf. Now, at the age of 65, they intend to undergo life-changing surgery that will enable them to hear for the first time. More on Hear and Now

    Last broadcast: 10 March 2009, on

  48. Heavy Water Heavy Water

    Commemorating the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, this documentary based on Mario Pertucci's poem tells the story of the people who dealt with the catastrophe at ground level More on Heavy Water

  49. Hell and Back Again Hell and Back Again

    Danfung Dennis paints an uncommonly intimate picture of the reality for soldiers involved in the Afghan conflict, both on the battlefield and in the unsettling normalcy of home More on Hell and Back Again

    Last broadcast: Tuesday 15 November, 10PM on More4

  50. Hell in the Pacific Hell in the Pacific

    Hell in the Pacific is a compelling and provocative four part series accounting the shocking Second World War conflict in the East More on Hell in the Pacific

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