Below is a list of the top docs about Spain (ranked from best to less-best). đ
I include documentaries as well as docuseries and even individual TV show episodes.
I started this list in 2023 but added 3 more solid ones in 2024.
Enjoy!
1) The Silence of Others (El silencio de otros)
“Schindler’s List” meets “The Act of Killing”.
Spain’s haunted memories. Directed by Almudena Carracedo (“Made in L.A.”), this doc uncovers Francisco Franco’s era cruelties. Decades passed⊠still, victims seek justice.
Hidden scars. 1977’s amnesty laws in Spain – a dark shadow. Thousands (ages ranging 5-95) sought justice.
Many, like MartĂn and Galante, confront their past
MARIA MARTĂN: My mother’s grave? Under the road.
JOSà GALANTE: They tortured⊠we remember.
.Madrid’s buzz. Quiet villages. Stories whisper everywhere. 96 intense minutes.
Ends on a high: Courage triumphs over silence.
Thousands (ages ranging 5-95) seek justice. Madrid streets. Small towns. Every corner bore witnesses.
Watch Silence of Others
Silence of Others was on Netflix but now it’s off. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-silence-of-others
2) The Spanish Civil War
“The Spanish Civil War”, a 1983 docuseries, chronicles Spain’s internal conflict. Directed by Granada Television, known for “World in Action”, this six-part series (55 minutes each) drags you into the tumult.
Key figures? Francisco Franco. The Republicans. Battles rage. Episodes dissect⊠Politics. International involvement. Brutality.
FRANCO: This is for Spain’s future.
REPUBLICAN SOLDIER: At what cost?
Learnings? War’s complexities. Ideologies clash. Insights into 20th-century geopolitics. Main reason for watching? Deep, intricate analysis.
No fluff here. Pure, historical recount.
Watch The Spanish Civil War
Watch the doc for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu5f9hp0IP4&list=PLAuucEydM53fQhEZiJHdWNzbdea35avxe
3) The Secret World of Spain: Nature
“The Secret World of Nature: Spain” is a 2013 TV series directed by Arturo Menor (known for his knack in wildlife filming).
Iberian lynx. Majestic eagles. Scenes captivate⊠Spain’s biodiversity astounds. Locations? From Donana’s wetlands to Pyrenees’ peaks. Episodes unfold⊠revealing ecosystems, habits, and challenges.
Lynx mother (whispering): Protecting my cubs⊠natureâs dance.
Eagle (soaring high): Skies are my kingdom.
Discover? Spainâs lesser-known wilderness. Why you’ll love it? Raw, unfiltered nature. Landscapes and creatures⊠breathtaking and real.
Watch The Secret World of Spain: Nature
Watch the doc on Tubi at https://tubitv.com/tv-shows/591166 or see here for other options https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-secret-world-of-nature-spain
4) José Andres & Family in Spain
A 2022 docuseries. Food. Wine. Fun. Three daughters in tow: Carlota, InĂ©s, LucĂa. Jose takes his family to Barcelona, Madrid, Lanzarot, AndalucĂa and Asturias (his roots).
He meets chefs, food makers, old friends?
Here’s a summary of the 6 episodes:
S1.E1 â Barcelona.
Tapas. Surf-and-turf. El Bulli visit. Big break.
S1.E2 â Andalusia.
History on skewers. Middle Eastern spices. Bluefin tuna feast.
S1.E3 â Madrid.
Cookies for kings. Roast lamb. Street food. Iberico ham.
S1.E4 â Valencia.
Las Fallas festival. Paella secrets. Paella face-off with locals.
S1.E5 â Asturias.
JosĂ©’s roots. Pricey seafood. Cider mastery. Aged steak. Mountain cheesemaking.
S1.E6 â Lanzarote.
Giant shrimp. Famous sauce. Volcanic wine. Sky-high view.
Watch José Andres & Family in Spain
Watch it on HBO Max or Discovery. Here are all the options https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/jose-andres-and-family-in-spain
5) Rick Steves’ Europe: The Majesty of Madrid
This is S3, E1 of Rick Steves’ Europe docuseries. Rick Steves shows us tapas, art, flamenco.
Madrid breathes. And you feel it!
Madrid’s history? Rick unveils. Prado Museum. Bustling plazas. Flamenco nights.
RICK: Madrid’s alive.
LOCAL: Madrid is the heart of Spain.
Watch Rick Steves’ Europe: The Majesty of Madrid
Watch this PBS doc episode for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hifYpfW4NjI. You can also watch episodes of Rick Steves’ Europe on Prime Video and Apple TV — see https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/rick-steves-europe for options.
6) Nostalgia for the Light
Chile’s Atacama Desert sets a vivid backdrop for “Nostalgia for the Light”.
Directed by Patricio GuzmĂĄn, known for “The Battle of Chile”, itâs a unique blend.
Astronomers gaze at the stars, while women search the ground below.
Both are searching: one for cosmic answers, the other for lost loved ones.
“Universe holds infinite mysteries,” remarks an astronomer.
“I seek my lost brother,” says a grieving woman.
Through these stories, GuzmĂĄn weaves a tale of memory, time, and space.
This documentary invites us to remember, reflect, and reckon with the past.
Watch Nostalgia for the Light
Watch the doc for free on Kanopy or Hoopla. You can also watch it on OVID ($). See all options here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/nostalgia-for-the-light
7) Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Spain)
Travel meets culture. “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” meets “Midnight in Paris.” In the Spain episode of season 2, Bourdain goes beyond the vibrant flamenco dances and the renowned bullfights.
Anthony tours AndalucĂa during Semana Santa. You’re transported amidst fervent processions and rhythmic drumbeats. The passion of Holy Week is palpable. Bourdain, always curious, captures the region’s spirit and faith.
Yet, it’s more than just tradition. Bourdain savors AndalucĂa’s culinary soul.
Think Iberian ham, olive oils, and sherries. He dines with locals, sips on anisette, and paints a full-bodied picture of Southern Spain.
Glimpses of history, like the Moors and Catholic monarchs, interweave with contemporary tales. It’s a dance of the old and new. The cinematography makes AndalucĂa’s landscapes, cities, and coasts feel close⊠quite real.
Directed by Bourdain, who gave us gems like “No Reservations,” this episode is a treat. It encapsulates Spain’s heart and soul.
Watch Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Spain)
Watch the Spain episode for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8WvkQkClao. Stream the whole Parts Unknown docuseries on HBO Max and Apple TV. Check https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/anthony-bourdain-parts-unknown for details.
8) Made in Spain
The above video is the full Episode 1 (I couldn’t find a trailer)
Chef José Andrés crafts culinary magic in this 2008 PBS docuseries gem.
AndrĂ©s doesnât just cook. He educates. Dive into Iberian flavors. Traditional gazpacho. Succulent Iberian ham. Rich Rioja wines. Understand Spainâs diverse regions. Feel the heat of Andalusian kitchens. Witness Catalonia’s culinary innovations.
Why watch? JosĂ©. His charisma draws you in. His knowledge deepens your appreciation. Food isnât just food. Itâs culture, history, passion. JosĂ© shows, tells, and makes you taste it all, metaphorically.
Watch Made in Spain
Watch some episodes on YouTube for free, like this Episode 1 (José prepares scallops in their shells with Albariño white wine and watches as a legendary Spanish potato tortilla is cooked in Galicia.) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDoWfPeOGdI. on Tubi or Roku. Here are the details: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/made-in-spain
9) Rick Steves’ Andalucia: The Best of Southern Spain
“Rick Steves’ Andalucia: The Best of Southern Spain” â a treat. Steves, a seasoned traveler, brings Spain home. The episode aired as part of his famous European explorations.
AndalucĂa’s allure? Flamenco rhythms, Moorish palaces, historic CĂłrdoba⊠itâs all there. Rick takes you from the Alhambra to passionate Seville.
Glimpse bullfighting traditions. Breathe in orange blossom aromas.
Watch Rick Steves’ Andalucia: The Best of Southern Spain
Watch the doc for free on YouTube at https://youtu.be/eP93PQMmXsc?feature=shared. Or rent this doc on Apple TV, Amazon or Vudu Fandango (see options here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/rick-steves-andalucia-the-best-of-southern-spain).
10) Lots of Kids, a Monkey and a Castle
“Lots of Kids, a Monkey and a Castle”, directed by Gustavo SalmerĂłn, is intimate and whimsical. This 91 minute doc digs into his own family’s eccentricities.
The star? Julita, the director’s mother.
Her desires? Simple â lots of kids, a monkey, and a castle. As Spain faces economic hardship, we witness their journey. The family’s castle life contrasts with Spain’s shifting landscape.
SalmerĂłnâs storytelling? t’s a blend of humor, love, and dreams. The castleâs vast collections, the family’s interactions, their resilience in crisis.
It’s a snapshot of Spain and one unforgettable family.
For those craving depth with a splash of humorâthis is it.
Watch Lots of Kids, a Monkey and a Castle
Rent the doc on Apple TV, YouTube, Vudu Fandango and others. See the options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lots-of-kids-a-monkey-and-a-castle
11) Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain
Clash. Culture. Coexistence. Cities of Light unravels a forgotten history.
This doc unveils Islamic Spain’s flourishing era. Produced in 2007, it delves into nearly 800 years of shared history between Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
The creation of the magnum opusâAlhambra. Scholars and kings, like Al-Zahrawi and Alfonso X. The mix of faiths led to advancements in various fields, enriching the entire continent.
Watch Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain
Watch the doc for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSVfi2f5l2g; or Kanopy (with library card or student ID) at https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/cities-light-rise-and-fall-islamic-spain-0; or rent it on Amazon, YouTube and Amazon (options here:https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/cities-of-light-the-rise-and-fall-of-islamic-spain).
12) Antonio GaudĂ
Mosaic. Modernism. Mastery. “Antonio GaudĂ” captures the architectural genius of Catalan’s pride. Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara in 1984, the doc focuses on GaudĂ’s unique structures.
From Sagrada FamĂlia to Park GĂŒell, Teshigahara offers a meticulous observation. His lens reveals intricate details. Japanese New Wave nuances enhance the viewing experience. It’s not just a documentaryâit’s an artistic exploration.
The essence? GaudĂ’s vision, echoed through Teshigahara’s perspective. A blend of two artistic minds from different worlds.
Watch Antonio GaudĂ
Stream the doc for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfTwzCi-KHM. Or, there are other options such as Criterion Channel or renting it on Amazon (see https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/antonio-gaudi).
13) CamarĂłn: The Film
Directed by Alexis Morante, the film showcases CamarĂłn de la Isla, Flamenco’s iconic singer. Think of it⊠“Buena Vista Social Club” meets “Amy.” Passion.
CamarĂłn’s voice? Unmatched. His impact? Revolutionary. Viewers witness his journey, from humble beginnings to global fame. You feel every beat⊠every struggle⊠and the spirit of Andalusia.
A gripping scene: CamarĂłn’s final concert, emotions raw, audience captivated. Insight? Flamenco was more than music; it was rebellion, identity.
Why watch? The soulful music, rare footage, and intricate history. You’ll grasp the essence of an art form, and the genius who transformed it. Director Morante (known for “Banderas de nuestros padres”) captures it flawlessly.
Watch CamarĂłn: The Film
Stream it for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk9X3rLN8gc or here are other options or on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80232891
14) Madrid Bullfight
In “Madrid Bullfight,” the sixth episode (24 minuties) of “Around the World with Orson Welles,” Orson and Mrs. Kenneth Tynan embark on an evocative journey.
Their quest? Madridâs bullfighting.
Bulls in Spain are truly wild animals. There are only 200 people who can kill bulls. And only a “couple of dozen who can do it well” (and they’re not all Spanish)
Welles, ever the raconteur, takes the center stage. Through his lens, we see bullfighting â not just a sport, but a dance with death. Mrs. Tynan offers a fresh perspective, asking the questions we’d ask. Insight? It’s about art, courage, and a cultural spectacle. You feel the tension, the crowdâs gasps⊠the matador’s pride.
Orson, with his deep voice and magnetic presence, narrates⊠draws you in. You learn, you ponder. Best moment? WELLES: âIs it cruelty? Or traditionâs art?â A scene with a matador, explaining his love for the arena, is heartfelt.
Why this doc? It peels layers of a tradition so Spanish, so debated. Welles, as always, excels in storytelling.
Watch Madrid Bullfight
Stream it for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibdZfx9Iizo
15)Visiting Andalusia, Spain
In “Mediterranean Travels,” Jaafar Abdul Karim explores Andalusia.
Flamenco? He tries it. He and Anabel Veloso dance in Las Negras. Fun and rhythm.
The history? It beckons. Andalusia speaks Arabic whispers⊠700 years of Islamic rule. Architecture? Stunning. Jaafar stands awed by the Alhambra. Heritage, preserved.
MĂĄlaga beckons. Sun. Beaches. The “Costa del Sol” shines⊠300 sunny days yearly. Tourists flood, many from Britain and Germany.
Homes? Bought. Jaafarâs find? Estepona. A dream home. Architects JosĂ© Carlos Moya and Bertrand Coue design it. Solar, panoramic. Follows the sun⊠All day.
Tarifa awaits. Morocco? Just 14 kilometers away. Photos? José Luis Terrado captures them. His focus? Migration. African refugees, their struggles.
In Andalusia, Jaafar realizes⊠Europe and Africa? Intertwined. Culturally. Economically. A journey, a revelation.
Watch Visiting Andalusia, Spain
Stream the doc for Frehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOvZT76k1Cs
16) Between a Rock and a Wave
“Between a Rock and a Wave” (Original: “Entre la ola y la roca”) is a 90-minute doc, released in 2017.
It centers on Costa da Morte, on the northwest coast of Spain (13 years after the Prestige oil spill)
Crystal-clear waves crashing into immovable rocks set the tone.
Watch Between a Rock and a Wave
Stream the doc on GuideDoc or dafilms.com. See https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/between-a-rock-and-a-wave for more options
17) Ibiza: The Silent Movie
“Ibiza: The Silent Movie” blends old with new. Think “Metropolis” meets modern rave. Director Julien Temple captures Ibiza’s spirit, much like his “The Filth and the Fury”.
Ibiza, known locally and officially in Catalan as Eivissa ([ÉjËvisÉ]), is a Spanish island situated in the Mediterranean Sea, east of the Iberian Peninsula.
Beats. Sunsets. Legends.
This doc takes you through time.
Temple uses a mix: archive footage, pulsating beats, and evocative animations. It delves deep into Ibiza’s history, way before the raves. The island’s Phoenician, Roman, and Arab past are showcased.
Why is Ibiza iconic? For its beats? Its beaches? This doc shows more. It digs beneath the club’s surface. It gives voice to the voiceless – Ibiza’s silent history.
Watch Ibiza: The Silent Movie
The doc is not available to stream right now. But check back at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/ibiza-the-silent-movie for options.
18) Blood and Gold: The Making of Spain
“Blood and Gold: The Making of Spain with Simon Sebag Montefiore” (2015) is a solid three-part series from the BBC that explores 2,000 years of Spain’s dynamic history.
Hosted by historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, the series examines key events and figures such as El Cid, the Golden Age under Philip II, and the Spanish Civil War.
In collaboration with The Open University, Montefiore’s engaging narrative and thorough analysis illuminate the cultural and political milestones that have shaped modern Spain.
Adding a personal touch, Montefiore’s family history is deeply intertwined with Spanish history.
His paternal ancestors were Sephardic Jews who originated in Spain before being expelled during the Spanish Inquisition.
While researching for this series, Montefiore discovered that some of his ancestors were executed by the Inquisition.
This blend of personal and historical exploration makes “Blood and Gold” a must-watch for Spanish history enthusiasts. It offers a comprehensive and heartfelt look into Spain’s past.
You can watch the 3 parts here:
- part 1 here: https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x7gmd4
- part 2 here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7t1zz9
- part 3 here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7t2zj5
19) Lost in La Mancha
Imagine trying to adapt one of the most iconic novels of all time and watching it spiral into chaosâwelcome to “Lost in La Mancha.”
This 2002 documentary, directed by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, chronicles the legendary Terry Gilliam’s Sisyphean struggle to bring “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” to life.
Shot in 2000, what was meant to be a “making-of” documentary morphed into its own standalone film as Gilliam’s production imploded spectacularly.
Starring the likes of Johnny Depp, Jean Rochefort, and Vanessa Paradis, and narrated by none other than Jeff Bridges, “Lost in La Mancha” parallels Gilliam’s efforts with Quixote’s own delusional quest for heroism.
It’s a tale of ambition, misfortune, and the relentless pursuit of a dream, set against the backdrop of disastrous weather, financial woes, and health problems.
Gilliam’s Quixote dream finally hit the screen in 2018, a testament to his unwavering dedication. Fulton and Pepe’s follow-up documentary, “He Dreams of Giants,” captures this triumphant yet bittersweet journey.
“Lost in La Mancha” remains a gripping watch, a reminder that sometimes the quest itself is the real story.
Watch Lost in La Mancha for free (with ads) on Roku or rent it on Amazon or Apple TV ($1.99 to $3.99 last I checked and it might be removed from Amazon soon (I hear) so make sure to check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lost-in-la-mancha
20) Las Hurdas
It’s a world where bread is as foreign as luxury.
Welcome to “Las Hurdes: Tierra Sin Pan” (1933), a provocative pseudo-documentary by the legendary Luis Buñuel.
Co-produced with RamĂłn AcĂn, this 27-minute French-language Spanish film dives headfirst into the dire poverty of Las Hurdes, a remote region in Spain.
Buñuel, inspired by Maurice Legendre’s 1927 ethnographic study, brings a surrealist twist to this anthropological expedition.
I liked Cinematographer Eli Lotar’ s haunting visuals. And the soundtrack is by Darius Milhaud and Johannes Brahms, reinforcing this grim portrayal.
“Las Hurdes: Tierra Sin Pan” is a biting commentary on social neglect and the human condition.
Buñuel’s work remains a striking piece of cinematic history, forcing viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths about isolation and poverty.
Watch Las Hurdas (“Land Without Bread”) by clicking the video embed above. That’s the only link I can find to watch it.
If that doesn’t work, check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/land-without-bread (though I don’t see any option to watch it there yet).
Thanks for reading!
-Rob Kelly
Chief Maniac, Daily Doc