Up here north of the Equator, it seems that every day this summer sets another record high temperature. The only reliable relief comes from cool drinks, cool air conditioning . . . and cool documentaries on MagellanTV! So, kick back and pop the top of your favorite frosty beverage – and check out the docs we’re about to stream to all your devices. Here are some highlights, along with a complete list of new releases.
Bloodshed on the Riviera: The Terror Attacks in Nice – Coming August 3
Bastille Day in France, like Independence Day in the U.S., is marked by celebrations. Crowds gather in all the cities, large and small, to remember the birth of the republic – and, of course, to watch the awesome displays of fireworks.
On July 14, 2016, at 10:00 p.m. local time, pyrotechnics illuminated the skies above the city of Nice. Tens of thousands of onlookers participated in the festivities on the Promenade des Anglais. The show was breathtaking, the atmosphere friendly. But suddenly, everything changed as terrorism came to Nice. A truck rammed through the crowd, unleashing chaos and mass casualties. In the end, 86 people died and 458 were injured.
What really happened on that fateful night? Through the accounts of direct witnesses and families of the victims – and thanks to a thorough investigation – Bloodshed on the Riviera: The Terror Attacks in Nice takes a measured look back at the circumstances of the tragedy and the lessons learned.
Also, check out "Charlie Hebdo: Paris Under Attack" - Available Now!
Johnny Strange: Born to Fly – Coming August 10
Like Icarus of the ancient Greek myth, Johnny Strange had a dream to fly. And like Icarus, his dream ended in tragedy.
The son of mountain-climbing adventurers from California, Strange reached the summits of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kosciusko, Mt. Elbrus, Denali, and Aconcagua before he was even 18 years of age. His passion for altitude and speed led him into the super-hazardous world of wing-suit base-jumping, certainly one of the most dangerous of human pursuits. On October 1, 2015, Johnny Strange died while shooting a video of his exploits near Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. He was only 23 years old.
Filled with gorgeous, heart-pounding imagery of Johnny in flight, this riveting documentary is a searing examination of what it means to live life to the fullest, even if the risks are extreme.
Also, check out "Solar Impulse: The Great American Crossing" - Available Now!
Lost City of Gaul: Unearthing Bibracte – Coming August 17
On the summit of Mt. Beuvray, in the heart of the French region of Burgundy, lie the ruins of a hidden city that was abandoned 2,000 years ago. Once capital of the Aeduan people, Bibracte was for a time the most important oppidum (fortified settlement) in all of Gaul.
Thanks to topographic maps using LIDAR technology, as well as spectacular computer-generated imagery, you will discover evidence of galloping Romanization after the conquest of the region by Julius Caesar in the 1st century BCE. Highlights include a sophisticated hydraulic system, a forum, and a basilica.
To this day, Bibracte is a colossal excavation site, the remains of which continue to reveal long-lost secrets. Watching Lost City of Gaul: Unearthing Bibracte, you will witness archaeologists acting as wise investigators as they unveil the craft and genius of the ancient Aeduans at a turning point of the Roman Gallic era.
Also, check out "The Hidden History of Rome" - Available Now!
Welcome to the Nanoworld! – Coming August 24
Maybe you’ve heard this before: A rapidly developing new technology is on the verge of irrevocably changing our world. Its creators and proponents are passionate about the prospective benefits to humankind. But are we ready for it?
As in previous developments such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), critical questions are being asked about nanotechnology: What are the risks and benefits of nanotech for us human beings? Can the interests of science, business, and government strike a balance between acting responsibly and deferring to market and political pressures?
These and other urgent questions are explored in depth in this timely four-part series. Will the answers arrive in time? Ready or not, Welcome to the Nanoworld!
Also, check out "Nigel Latta Blows Stuff Up" - Available Now!
Misty Experiment: The Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail – Coming August 31
Named after the leader of North Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh Trail wasn’t actually a geographical feature at all. In fact, during the Vietnam War, it was a web of paths and waterways winding through the rugged terrain of Vietnam (and bordering areas of Laos and Cambodia). Using the trail, supplies were transported to North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong units fighting south of the demilitarized zone that ostensibly separated the combatants.
Shutting down this critical supply route was a massive challenge for the Americans and their South Vietnamese allies. Many tactics were tried. Some worked, some didn’t. And some have remained secret even long after the war ended.
This documentary is the story of a special U.S. Air Force squadron that volunteered for one of the war’s most dangerous missions. Their assignment was to search for enemy supply transports and anti-aircraft installations concealed within the trail. Code-named Operation Commando Sabre, the mission was classified “top secret.” Now the secret is revealed.
Also, check out "The Vietnam War" - Available Now!
