Rebecca Dobbs Movies

The title for this documentary, Desire: Sexuality In Germany 1910-1945, adequately describes what it is about. What it doesn't do is clarify why the subject is of immediate interest to those living in the present, as well as being something to pique the interest of history buffs. There were a number of sexual movements in Germany in the period before World War Two; some of them were in stark contrast to the infamous trends which produced Nazism. Others, in a perverted form, contributed to the culture of that movement. Contrast came in the form of the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin, which proposed that homosexuality was a natural, biological phenomenon, and that it should not be persecuted. The documentary interviews gay survivors of the persecutions of the Nazis, and they recount their experiences. Some ironic contrast to these stories is provided by images from official Nazi propaganda art, which was profoundly homoerotic. On another front, considering ideas that were not completely rejected by the Nazis, is a review of "naturism," whose proponents thought civilization was decadent, and that traipsing naked in the woods was inherently healthy. The documentary has some hilarious footage from the period illustrating the activities of those preoccupied with these ideas. The documentary also traces the aftermath of these and related movements from World War II to the present, closing with scenes from the Amsterdam memorial for homosexuals who were killed during the holocaust. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Comprised of compiled footage from over 60 years of British cinema, this playful documentary from Andrea Weiss brims with cliches and stereotypes associated with homosexuality. Each segment is introduced via a narrator who briefly points out certain rules for the portrayal of gays in British films, i.e.: "Your purpose in life is to disrupt the heterosexual plot." The rule is then illustrated with a series of unidentified clips; sometimes the scenes of one film are interspliced into a scene in funny or ironic ways. Weiss also employs lightning-fast cross-cutting to similar effect. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The Conquistadors is a four-part series that's aired on both PBS and the BBC. It covers the New World victories and discoveries of Cabeza de Vaca, Orellana, Cortés, and Pizarro. This volume focuses on the travels of Cabeza de Vaca, who wrote extensively and compassionately about interacting with Indians while journeying across North America during the 16th century. Viewers will learn that many of the Indians were nomadic, moving back and forth across what is now the state of Texas to align with the seasons and the availability of food. ~ Elizabeth Smith, Rovi

Author and presenter Michael Wood hosts the four-part television documentary series In Search of Shakespeare, produced by Maya Vision in the U.K. Using a massive amount of research in the Public Records Office, the film is foremost a biography on the life and career of William Shakespeare. The production team compiled a chronological timeline of Shakespeare's life referred to as the Dossier. The series follows fictional detective John Fribbling as he investigates the possibly traitorous activity of the young playwright. The extremely thorough investigation reveals the players, locations, evidence, and works involved in Shakespeare's life. Set in 16th century England, it also incorporates sequences with the Royal Shakespeare Company performing in the places where the original plays were performed. Includes the episodes "A Time of Revolution," "The Lost Years," "The Duty of Poets," and "For All Time." In Search of Shakespeare premiered on PBS in February of 2004. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Discover India's rich history while simultaneously learning why the country is poised to become one of the world's next superpowers in this documentary hosted by Michael Wood. A country known as well for its proficiency in computer technology as its many gods, India is the world's oldest civilization. India has experienced many golden ages over the course of human history, and its leaders have strived to encourage great change on a global scale. But while the glories of Greece, Rome, and Egypt have all been explored in the realm of documentary film, India has been all but forgotten - until now. Many don't realize that the decimal system - the basis of all contemporary mathematics, science, and economics - was invented in India, with a rich history of music, dance, and literature making the country a cultural epicenter for the arts as well. Now, as globalization becomes an increased focus for countries around the world, the country that is simultaneously hi-tech and wondrously archaic moved with remarkable speed and grace into the 21st Century. A six-part series produced for PBS, The Story of India tells the story of an ancient land perfectly equipped to succeed in the modern world. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi