Best 28 Documentary Movies Must-Watch Released in 1971

When three hundred thousand members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hells Angels at San Francisco's Altamont Speedway, the bloody slash that transformed a decade's dreams into disillusionment was immortalized on this film. Explore Gimme Shelter / IMDB / YouTube

At a morgue, forensic pathologists conduct autopsies of the corpses assigned. More about The Act of Seeing with One's Own Eyes / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary on motorcycle racing featuring stars of the sport, including film star Steve McQueen, a racer in his own right. More about On Any Sunday / IMDB / YouTube

Richard Pryor delivering his one-of-a-kind routine. One of his earliest live performances in 1971 at the Improvisation in New York. Get info on Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' / IMDB / YouTube

All you need are a pair of skis, snow, and a mountain to journey along in Warren Miller's Any Snow Any Mountain. With an all star cast of skiers including Jim McConkey, Pepi Stiegler, Jon Reveal, Pat Bauman, Roger Staub and many others Find out about Any Snow, Any Mountain / IMDB / YouTube

A scientist explains how the savagery and efficiency of the insect world could result in their taking over the world. Explore The Hellstrom Chronicle / IMDB / YouTube

The documentary story of Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) -- the heavyweight boxing champion whose style and courage captured the imagination of the world. Find out about a.k.a. Cassius Clay / IMDB / YouTube

A chronicle of Fred Hampton's revolutionary leadership of the Illinois Black Panther Party, followed by an investigation into his assassination at the hands of the Chicago Police Department. Learn about The Murder of Fred Hampton / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary focusing on great white sharks. Check out Blue Water, White Death / IMDB / YouTube

Joe Cocker and Leon Russell perform live at the Fillmore East and Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. See more about Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen / IMDB / YouTube

Frederick Wiseman observes basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky in the Vietnam era. Recruits are seen receiving instructions on everything from brushing their teeth to killing enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. More about Basic Training / IMDB / YouTube

A record of singer Jimi Hendrix' concert in Berkeley, California, in 1970. Look into Jimi Plays Berkeley / IMDB / YouTube

A fly on the wall account that follows the near legendary singer on tour in the US during the late sixties. Crammed with superb music footage the film also takes time out to relax with the man behind the most famous voice in Country music. Check out Johnny Cash! The Man, His World, His Music / IMDB / YouTube

A behind-the-scenes documentary about the filming of the Federico Fellini film, Satyricon. Details on Ciao, Federico! / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary of a 1970 rock concert held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. See more about Stamping Ground / IMDB / YouTube

Driving through New York City in his Sexmobile, Dr. Harrison Rogers of the Bureau of Sexological Investigation, searches out luminary figures in the world of sex. Info on Is There Sex After Death? / IMDB / YouTube

Pseudo-documentary about black magic. Look into Secret Rites / IMDB / YouTube

Mr. Page and his two sons and two daughters live a primitive life in the woods in southern England with traction engines. See more about The Moon and the Sledgehammer / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary exploring the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the ocean between Bermuda, Miami and Cuba into which many boats and planes have mysteriously disappeared over the years. Find out about The Devil's Triangle / IMDB / YouTube

John Wayne hosts this video which was produced during the Vietnam War when the Communist threat was at its height. Details on No Substitute for Victory / IMDB / YouTube

Police chiefs from all over America gather together for an annual conference held in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii in October, 1968. The police chiefs talk about the Black Panther Party and the riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, Illinois as well as check out the latest weapons designed to help the police with crowd control. See more about Chiefs / IMDB / YouTube

Documentarian Nick Broomfield examines the problems of slum demolition and the removal of residents to new housing blocks. Learn about Who Cares / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary about the hearings of President Nixon's Commission on Obscenity, featuring adult-film producer David F. Friedman (one of the producers of this film) testifying before Congress, and involved in the production of one of his films, Trader Hornee. Get info on Red, White and Blue / IMDB / YouTube

An intimate look at the career of David Lean, this 1971 documentary by Thomas Craven features an extensive interview with the director, who discusses his work and his approach to filmmaking. Get info on David Lean: A Self Portrait / IMDB / YouTube

Whimsical portrait of photographer and designer Cecil Beaton during a photo session with David Bailey. Learn about Beaton by Bailey / IMDB / YouTube