Best 26 Documentary Movies Highly Recommended Released in 1973

Made shortly after his death, this documentary explores the brief life and remarkable legacy of guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Info on Jimi Hendrix / IMDB / YouTube

This Oscar-winning documentary explores the life of one-time child evangelist and faith healer Marjoe Gortner. The son of professional evangelists, Gortner was preaching on the Southern tent-revival circuit by the age of 3. Info on Marjoe / IMDB / YouTube

A 1973 concert by Elvis Presley taped at the Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. This was the first program to ever be beamed around the world by satellite. Find out about Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary on Charles Manson and his family. Has a number of insightful interviews with many family members most notably Squeaky and Sandy (Blue and Red). There is also a history of Manson from his birth to the family formation to the Tate/La Bianca murders. Plenty of footage of the family playing at Spahn Ranch. Look into Manson / IMDB / YouTube

Divided into three segments, namely 1 Neocolonialism, 2 Act for liberation, 3 Violence and liberation, the documentary lasts more than 4 hours this deals with the defense of the revolution and the revolution of the third world such as the revolt of the students in the United States and Western Europe, Czech citizens protest against the Soviet Union's State bureaucracy. Read about The Hour of the Furnaces / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary covering a Stax Records-sponsored all-day concert at the 1972 Watts Summer Festival with performances by Stax Records artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, The Staples Singers, and more. Learn about Wattstax / IMDB / YouTube

Eight film artists from different countries are given carte blanche to make a collection of short documentaries on the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, offering unexpected, original and often humorous perspectives. Get info on Visions of Eight / IMDB / YouTube

This feature documentary is a factual account of the life of policemen at one station in Montreal, drawn from 60 days and nights of on-the-spot filming in the early 1970s. Find out about Station 10 / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary about T. Rex includes concert footage and staged sequences. Sir Ringo Starr's directorial work is mindful of touches used on Magical Mystery Tour (1967). See more about Born to Boogie / IMDB / YouTube

This lively documentary celebrates 1950s rock 'n' roll, both through archival clips of the era and concert footage filmed during the '70s. Although the musicians have aged, the performances are remarkably vibrant, with many acts in fine form. Among the many artists featured are Bill Haley and the Comets, Fats Domino, the Shirelles, Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Chuck. More about Let the Good Times Roll / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary that examines the life and the untimely death of superstar Bruce Lee. Info on Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend / IMDB / YouTube

Elvis Presley's January 12th, 1973 rehearsal concert at the H.I.C. Arena in Hawaii prior to the live broadcast of Aloha from Hawaii. Read about Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Rehearsal Concert / IMDB / YouTube

An unobtrusive and naturalistic examination of the goings-on of a children's court, Memphis Juvenile Court 616. Read about Juvenile Court / IMDB / YouTube

Ten teenagers journey down a path to self-discovery as they adjust to life on a farm in this examination of the stress and alienation of adolescence. Get info on Come on Children / IMDB / YouTube

The definitive documentary on the New York School Painters. Featuring footage of all the major figures of the New York Art Scene between 1940-1970, showing many of the artists before they became famous. Read about Painters Painting / IMDB / YouTube

A loose biography of surfer and documentarist George Greenough, one of the most famous and unique members of the surfing subculture. Info on Crystal Voyager / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary examining life in Israel twenty-five years after the birth of the state. Info on Israel, Why / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary about a concert held in Chicago in 1972. Find out about Save the Children / IMDB / YouTube

In this educational short film, a traffic investigator interviews the friends and family of a teenager who died in a car accident in order to understand how his driving habits and attitudes may have contributed to the accident. Info on Wild at the Wheel / IMDB / YouTube

Frank Sinatra returns to the spotlight with a television special. Look into Magnavox Presents Frank Sinatra / IMDB / YouTube

The story of Walt Disney's life, with narration by Disney from interview recordings. Originally produced for exhibition at Disney theme parks. Check out The Walt Disney Story / IMDB / YouTube

Cuban filmmaker Santiago Alvarez's hurried response to the 1973 Chilean coup d'état rests upon the music of Victor Jara, the folk singer who was brutally murdered within days after Augusto Pinochet assumed power. Connecting events in Chile to other repressive police crackdowns throughout the world (and specifically to C.I.A. malfeasance), Alvarez calls for solidarity . Find out about El tigre saltó y mató, pero morirá... morirá... / IMDB / YouTube

About the early years of the 70's in Ingmar Bergman's professional and private life. The Touch (1971) and more. Learn about Ingmar Bergman / IMDB / YouTube

The startling and intimate behavior of wolves both in the wilderness and in captivity are shown in this film which was years in the making. Find out about Cry of the Wild / IMDB / YouTube

Marlene Dietrich in Concert. Read about An Evening with Marlene Dietrich / IMDB / YouTube

FIDEL provides a unique view of Cuba's controversial and most polarizing leader. In 1968, Castro took filmmaker and activist Saul Landau on a weeklong jeep ride through the eastern mountains. There, he plays baseball with a group of peasants, visits his pre-school and trades jokes with a 98-year old man. Fidel also listens to the people's concerns about food distribut. Read about Fidel / IMDB / YouTube