Discovery Channel Documentaries
Season 2011
TV-G
Documentaries that have been produced by the Discovery Channel.
Where to Watch Season 2011
52 Episodes
- Secrets of Interrogation
E2Secrets of InterrogationWhen tried and tested means such as DNA tests and circumstantial evidence fail, confronting a suspect face-to-face might be the only chance police have to reveal the truth about a crime. In this series, watch as dramatic re-enactments demonstrate how the experts see through deception. Learn whether it is possible for the innocent to prevail when they are facing a professional interrogator and how the power of psychology helps to lift the secrecy on acts of malice and revenge. - Explosions Gone Wrong
E3Explosions Gone WrongSometimes deadly, sometimes catastrophic, always compelling; the biggest and baddest explosions ever caught on video. From gas stations and tanker trucks, to rocket failures and the manufacturers of their fuel, learn what makes these colossal explosions tick. Also: a disastrous explosion tears through NY City at 400 degrees, and without a single flame. - What Happened Before the Big Bang?
E4What Happened Before the Big Bang?What came before the Big Bang? We dive into the strange world of loop quantum cosmology, multiverses and singularities. And we visit the room that NASA has created to model nothingness. It's a simple question: the answer is beautiful and very strange. - Bermuda Triangle ExposedE5
Bermuda Triangle ExposedExamine the Bermuda Triangle by layer to reveal what's beneath the 440, 000 square miles of ocean in the deadly marine graveyard. Freak waves, magnetic anomalies, giant whirlpools and more have been blamed for its mysterious plane and boat disappearances. - Man Made Marvels H-IIA Space Rocket
E6Man Made Marvels H-IIA Space RocketThe Japanese space industry is about to reach another milestone. From its base on Tanegashima Island, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is counting down to the la launch of the HII-A JAXA s engineering marvel. Though this isn t its first launch, every launch might be stymied by a myriad of possible problems, and sometimes the consequences are heart breaking, expensive or even deadly. This time, as the HII-A attempts to carry its heaviest payload to date into space and join the big league of commercial satellite launchers, the stakes are as high as they ve ever been for Japan s space program. - Pompeii: Back From The Dead
E8Pompeii: Back From The DeadAs Vesuvius rained destruction on the the Roman town of Pompeii, 74 men, women and children took refuge in a dark cellar. There, they waited, while their friends and neighbors fell victim to the heat and ash that swallowed the city. They thought they had survived the worst - instead, they became the last people to die in the disaster. The discovery of their bones - perfectly preserved - reveals much about the way the people of Pompeii lived - and died. - Man Made Marvels: Okinawa Aquarium
E9Man Made Marvels: Okinawa AquariumOn the Japanese island of Okinawa, scientists and engineers have set themselves a monumental challenge: to construct Asia’s biggest aquarium. But that’s not all – the aquarium plans on being the first in the world to hold whale sharks – the largest fish in the ocean – and to successfully breed them in captivity. The Churaumi Aquarium is a modern marvel of engineering and technical skill – with the added challenge of being ecologically sound. Designing and building an aquarium that can safely house fish that can grow to 20 meters in length – as well as making them feel at home so that they will breed is a gargantuan task. - Space Pioneer: Venus
E10Space Pioneer: Venus‘Space Pioneer’ is a fascinating six-part series where physicist and host Dr. Basil Singer eagerly plays the role of human guinea pig in his quest to find answers. Follow him as he investigates whether humans could possibly call Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn’s moon Titan, and Jupiter’s moons Callisto and Gliese 581c their home in the future. In the name of science, Dr. Singer subjects himself to extreme temperatures, tests new survival technologies designed to keep humans alive in harsh environments, suffers the rigors of travel in zero gravity, explores ideas for new human habitats in the sky, and much more. - MegaQuake: The Hour That Shook JapanE12
MegaQuake: The Hour That Shook JapanExperience Japan's earthquake and tsunami through new footage and first person accounts. Understand the mega-physics inside this latest Ring of Fire cataclysm that rocked the Earth on its axis. Scientists explore whether the Pacific NW U.S. could be next. - Man Made Marvels Sydney Opera House
E14Man Made Marvels Sydney Opera HouseIts breathtaking shape defied every engineering and construction rule in the book. The original plans were radical and impossible to build using existing technology, but the designers faced the challenges and responded with innovative, inventive answers. The building was as controversial as it was complex and in 1966 amid massive public outcry, designer Jorn Utzon left Australia and the job, leaving the interiors of the opera house to be finished by others. Fast forward to modern times, and the famous and loved icon is due for a makeover. Jorn Utzon has been reinstated as designer, creating the final chapter of one of the greatest design stories of recent history. - Tornado Rampage
E17Tornado RampageWith nearly 200 tornados recorded and over 300 lives lost in just a single day, weather history was made on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in the worst tornado outbreak since 1974. Discovery Channel's STORM CHASERS were filming that day in the center of the action and now present never-before-seen footage, recount their harrowing stories and put into both scientific and human context the overwhelming tragedy in the all new special TORNADO RAMPAGE 2011. STORM CHASERS' Reed Timmer, Sean Casey and Tim Samaras were all filming with their chase teams on Wednesday, April 27th for the new season of their series when they become caught up in unprecedented multiple tornados. Their exclusive, never-before-seen footage combined with meteorlogical expertise and years of chasing experience helps piece together a day that saw so much destruction and loss of life. Tornados are one of Mother Nature's most mystifying, deadly forces. When conditions are just right what starts as a breeze can becomes a mass of spinning energy as loud as a jet engine and as strong as a freight train. All three chase teams witnessed the storms from different locations across the South allowing Discovery to offer a comprehensive, 360° look at this unimaginable tragedy. "In all my years of chasing tornados, this was hands down the most unforgettable day. The intensity of the storm activity and the sheer number of tornados that touched down is overwhelming and heartbreaking. By studying this historic day we hope to learn more information for our research and help better predict tornados and save lives," said STORM CHASERS' meteorologist Reed Timmer TORNADO RAMPAGE 2011 is produced for Discovery Channel by Darlow Smithson. Tom Brisley and Guy Davies are executive producers. For Discovery Channel, Stephen Reverend is executive producer. - Invasion of the Giant Jellyfish
E19Invasion of the Giant JellyfishThere's an invasion underway: An army of brainless, bloodless phantoms, billions strong, is taking over our oceans, destroying our food supply, and turning our beaches into battle zones. After 600 million years of evolution, jellyfish are the planet's ultimate survivors, flourishing even in the face of climate change and pollution. Are they really mindless blobs or is the enemy smarter than anyone ever predicted? Could this be a real life war of the worlds? - King's of Construction: Gotthard Base Tunnel (Switzerland)
E21King's of Construction: Gotthard Base Tunnel (Switzerland)The Gotthard Base Tunnel is actually two main parallel tunnels measuring a record-breaking 57km each, served by a maze of access tunnels, shafts and passages. In total there will be 153.5 km of tunnel through the Swiss Alps. The project has been conceived to solve the problem of heavy European road traffic on this major route through the Alps, while simultaneously developing Europe’s high-speed rail network. The existing tunnel, much higher up, can only handle three-truck freight trains of up to 2,000 tons. The new tunnel will take 4,000 ton heavy freight trains – carrying entire trucks on board - effortlessly through the heart of the mountains. Passenger trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 250kmph, resulting in a train journey time between Zurich and Milan of just two hours and 40 minutes – a third less than at present. - King's of Construction: Ski Dubai
E26King's of Construction: Ski DubaiSki Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Test your skills on the worlds first indoor black run or practice your turns on the gentle beginner slopes. Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy these various slopes and snowboarders can also practice their stunts in the Freestyle Zone. Kids and parents alike will have fun in the huge interactive Snow Park, which at 3000 square meters is the largest indoor snow park in the world. - Man Made Marvels: Ultimate Casino
E27Man Made Marvels: Ultimate CasinoThe world's ultimate casino, The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel will be the largest inhabited building on earth. Off the coast of China, on islands of Macau, this entertainment super structure will be the centerpiece of the Asian Las Vegas. - Surviving D-DayE28
Surviving D-DayBy forensically analyzing war records and real testimony, SURVIVING D-DAY reveals that the difference between life and death for American soldiers hung on such details as what they ate for breakfast, the interpretation of a weather forecast, or the design of a buckle strap. Yet despite ingenious and creative tactical devices and strategies, the most powerful weapons of warfare were still leadership and bravery. The special tells these incredible stories -- many told by Omaha Beach veterans themselves -- to examine this historic day and reveal who survived... and why - Aliens of the Deep SeaE30
Aliens of the Deep SeaIt has a soft boneless body and two eyes that take up a quarter of its body weight. It has eight tentacles of which one contains the sex organ, brain and intestines all in a single pouch. It’s a carnivorous predator with a tearing beak that can grow up to five metres long! It can change shape and colour at will, disappearing into the background, with a formidable intelligence able to solve complex problems and the ability to walk on land, sea and cross through fire. It’s not an alien from outer-space but an Octopus, a creature that has lived alongside humankind from the beginning. In a one-off special, Aliens of the Deep explores how we are only beginning to unravel the extent of the astounding intelligence of this strange but fascinating deep water wonder. - Dino GangsE31
Dino GangsA groundbreaking discovery reveals that T-Rex may have been more deadly than we ever imagined. Many times more deadly. In the Gobi Desert, scientists unearth the remains of 68 Tyrannosaurus Rexes, packed closely together. For dino hunter Dr. Phil Currie, it's a find that leads him to a disturbing conclusion: T-Rex lived and hunted in bloodthirsty gangs, capable of taking down anything that crossed their path, and tearing their unlucky prey to shreds in a rapacious frenzy. Dr. Currie journeys to some of the most remote and inhospitable places on the planet in search of evidence that may reveal how just how brutally the tyrant lizard king lorded over their domain, and why their reign of terror lasted so long - Monsters and Mysteries in Alaska
E35Monsters and Mysteries in AlaskaAlaska: could its uninhabited frontier be hiding monsters and mysteries? For the first time, witnesses tell the stories of their encounters with the unknown Bigfoot, lake monsters and UFOs - all under the scrutiny of a top microexpressions expert. - 9/11: Heroes of the 88th FloorE50
9/11: Heroes of the 88th Floor9/11: HEROES OF THE 88th FLOOR is told through first-hand testimonials from survivors, recounting the 102 minutes before the North Tower collapsed. This program puts the spotlight on the extraordinary rescue work of construction manager Frank De Martini and construction inspector Pablo Ortiz, who both worked with the Port Authority on the 88th floor. Armed only with a flashlight, a crowbar and walkie talkies, the two men selflessly worked to rescue survivors from behind jammed doors on the upper floors of the North Tower. Sadly, both Frank and Pablo died in the terror attack--but their acts of heroism and courage saved the lives of 77 people and touched many more. Their bravery and sacrifice inspired those around them to step up and help others as they exited the towers, which in turn saved many more lives. Through archival footage and dramatic recreations, audiences relive their terrifying struggle for survival and discover what it was like to be trapped in the midst of this tragic day. - Life On A WireE55
Life On A WireNik Wallenda comes from seven generations of daredevils and famous circus family 'The Flying Wallendas'. Nik is a daredevil for the 21st Century and along with his dad, who supervises the rigging and safety, he performs death-defying stunts. We follow his whole family (mom, dad, wife, kids) as they engineer and execute their life's passion. - Jack the Ripper: Prime SuspectE56
Jack the Ripper: Prime SuspectFeaturing the latest news and theories in the 120-year-old worldwide quest to identify the person dubbed Jack the Ripper responsible for the murder of 5 common prostitutes around the seedy district of Whitechapel in London's notorious East End between 31 August 1888 and 9 November 1888. Will this serial killer's identity ever be revealed through DNA or other - as yet unrevealed - evidence? - Raising Big BlueE57
Raising Big BlueScientists uncover a buried skeleton of a Blue Whale in an attempt to put it back together for display in a prominent museum. But it's not as simple as it seems, first they need to locate the buried whale, develop a method to clean the appalling stench from the bones and put all the pieces together. - True Grit: The True StoryE59
True Grit: The True StoryThe line between good and evil in the Wild West was often blurred, and perhaps no Hollywood Western captured the realities of the dangerous frontier better than the Coen Brothers' "True Grit." Based on the book by Charles Portis, it's a brutal portrayal of frontier justice, but real life in the West was even more shocking. Explore a violent and unforgiving time in America's history and see how Rooster Cogburn and young Mattie's encounters with hangings, shootouts, and kidnappings would have been part and parcel with life in the Wild West. - The SupernaturalistE60
The SupernaturalistThe Supernaturalist with Dan White Dan White performs mind-blowing magic: manipulating physical objects, performing surprising card tricks and making items appear from seemingly thin air. All of this, he admits, is merely an illusion. White has a mission: to find REAL magic. White travels to a remote corner of the planet and finds himself in a place where magic isn't just tricks. It is believed to be very real... and even dangerous. Locals in the Himalayan country of Nepal believe there are monks within its borders who use their powers to harm anyone who crosses their path. White relies on his talents as an illusionist to open doors normally closed to outsiders in an attempt to find one of these feared monks and - hopefully - witness his true magic. White's mission will introduce him to many people, each getting him one step closer to the men in the mountains. - Nefertiti: Mummy Queen MysteryE61
Nefertiti: Mummy Queen MysteryLoved by a king. Hated by an empire. Erased from history – that is, until now. Join famed Egyptologist Dr. Joann Fletcher as she leads a Discovery Quest to uncover what may be the most startling archaeological find of our lifetime – the long-lost mummy of Queen Nefertiti. For centuries, the whereabouts of one of Egypt's most famous – and controversial – leaders remained a mystery. Then, in 1898, hidden in a small chamber behind a secret wall in a tomb in the Valley of Kings, three anonymous, seemingly ordinary mummies were found – and soon forgotten. For a hundred years, they laid there in the dark, neglected and unexamined. Watch as Dr. Joann Fletcher returns to that hidden chamber to prove that one of the mummies – referred to as "younger woman" – is Nefertiti.
