Greatest 23 Documentary Movies Award-Winning Released in 1997

Boxing documentary on the 1974 world heavyweight championship bout between defending champion, George Foreman, and the underdog challenger, Muhammad Ali. Learn about When We Were Kings / IMDB / YouTube

An exploration of the careers of four unrelated professionals: a lion tamer, a robotics expert, a topiary gardener, and a naked mole rat specialist. Learn about Fast, Cheap & Out of Control / IMDB / YouTube

A reassessment of the tragedy at Waco that left 76 members of the Branch Davidian religious sect dead. More about Waco: The Rules of Engagement / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary of the notorious racial terrorist 1963 bombing by the Ku Klux Klan of the African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement, which killed four young girls. See more about 4 Little Girls / IMDB / YouTube

After doctors inform him that an eye affliction will require risky surgery, monologist Spalding Gray recounts his various pursuits for alternative medicine to avoid the doctor's scalpel. Check out Gray's Anatomy / IMDB / YouTube

Eddie Izzard's routine has a loose trajectory from the beginning of the Old Testament and the creation of the world in seven days to Revelations; God, in the voice of James Mason, makes several appearances. Along the way, Izzard dramatizes or comments on the search for a career, bad giraffes, Prince Philip's gaffes, toilets in French campsites, the mysteries of hopsco. Look into Eddie Izzard: Glorious / IMDB / YouTube

Academy Award-winner Barbara Kopple directs this documentary portrait of Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner Woody Allen, seen traveling with friends and fellow musicians during their New Orleans jazz band's 1996 European tour. Allen's relationship with his wife Soon-Yi Previn is captured on film here for the first time, and others on the European jaunt include Alle. Explore Wild Man Blues / IMDB / YouTube

This film documents Neil Young and Crazy Horse's 1996 concert tour. Jim Jarmusch interviews the band about their long history, and we see backstage footage from the 1970s and 1980s. Get info on Year of the Horse / IMDB / YouTube

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis from a young age, performance artist Bob Flanagan shared his life and pain in his art, usually through sadomasochistic practices. Find out about Sick / IMDB / YouTube

The story of the most important American exploration expedition in American history and the participants in it. Get info on Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery / IMDB / YouTube

The story of the post World War II Jewish refugee situation from liberation to the establishment of the modern state of Israel. See more about The Long Way Home / IMDB / YouTube

The sun heats up the scene, adding to the sultriness of the atmosphere. The surf provides that touch of paradise. Details on Penthouse: Sun, Surf & Centerfolds / IMDB / YouTube

Mysteries of the Ancient Maya is the Invalid ranked movie in 1997 documentary list. Get info on Mysteries of the Ancient Maya / IMDB / YouTube

In 1988, Piper Alpha oil rig exploded, killing 167. Ten years later, survivor Ed Punchard returns to Scotland from Australia to confront his trauma, leaving families impacted and the responsible company unaccountable. Find out about Paying for the Piper / IMDB / YouTube

Actor/comic Denis Leary discusses family life, coffee, religion, and other topics in this stand-up special. Learn about Denis Leary: Lock 'N Load / IMDB / YouTube

George Carlin celebrates 40 years of comedy and here, he presents 2 new standup bits, comedian Jon Stewart gives an interview with him, and we look at his old comedy work through the last 4 decades. Explore George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy / IMDB / YouTube

The French computer programmer Laura inherits the task of making a computer game of the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. She searches the internet for information on the battle, and interviews Japanese experts and witnesses. The extraordinary circumstances of the Battle of Okinawa lead Laura to reflect deeply on her own life and humanity in general, particularly. See more about Level Five / IMDB / YouTube

Since its premiere, Lord of the Dance has been captivating audiences and critics around the globe and has grossed over one billion dollars worldwide. Now fans will have a once in a lifetime opportunity, when the world famous Lord of the Dance and star Michael Flatley brings his vision to home audiences giving the viewer an unparalleled sense of the scale of the show a. More about Lord of the Dance / IMDB / YouTube

A study in the world of hip-hop, done mostly with interviews, in order to see why it is as popular as it is today and what the future holds. Find out about Rhyme & Reason / IMDB / YouTube

A two video set from the band Nine Inch Nails. The first tape consists of all NIN's music videos, including several that were never released previously. The second tape is a documentary of the band's 1994/1995 tour, including live performances of songs, backstage interviews, and special guests. Info on Closure / IMDB / YouTube

For more than four decades, George Carlin has made us laugh with his provocative style of stand-up comedy. This HBO special presentation highlights the best of his live performances in Los Angeles, New Jersey, Phoenix and New York. Includes Hello-Goodbye, Earrings, Hitler, We Like War, It's Not a Sport, Football, and an alternative version of A Place for . More about George Carlin: Personal Favorites / IMDB / YouTube

From an early age, David Lynch was inspired by the arts and the warm inner glow that comes with the pursuit of creative expression. Pretty as a Picture:The Art of David Lynch examines how this modern day Renaissance man makes a motion picture, and examines, through his artistic explorations, the very nature of creativity. Explore Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch / IMDB / YouTube

In this show David Blaine amazes people with his magic and use of optical illusions. There are no gimmicks, rules, or tricks just pure talent. See more about David Blaine: Street Magic / IMDB / YouTube