Best 18 Documentary Movies Highly Recommended Released in 1983

A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on the relationship between nature, humanity, and technology. Explore Koyaanisqatsi / IMDB / YouTube

Eddie Murphy's raunchy, raucous stand-up comedy routine is captured for posterity on this tape. Learn about Eddie Murphy: Delirious / IMDB / YouTube

A woman narrates the contemplative writings of a seasoned world traveler, focusing on contemporary Japan. Check out Sans Soleil / IMDB / YouTube

A concert film in which Bill Cosby discusses weekends, raising children, dentists, and many other situations. Look into Bill Cosby: Himself / IMDB / YouTube

David Bowie performs as his alter ego Ziggy Stardust for the very last time at the Hammersmith Odeon, London on July 3, 1973. See more about Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars / IMDB / YouTube

Part live stand-up performance, part documentary, this film is one of comedian Richard Pryor's later stand-up performances. As foul-mouthed as ever, Pryor touches on most of the same topics as in his previous live shows. Find out about Richard Pryor... Here and Now / IMDB / YouTube

Robin Williams performs his act in San Francisco's Great American Music Hall. Although he does do some of his more well known routines, much of the footage is devoted to Williams' frenetic, completely off the wall improvisation. Check out An Evening with Robin Williams / IMDB / YouTube

From Michael Jackson we take a look behind the Thrills of Thriller Explore The Making of 'Thriller' / IMDB / YouTube

A look at the making of the original Star Wars trilogy. See more about From 'Star Wars' to 'Jedi': The Making of a Saga / IMDB / YouTube

A short film which documents the lives of women in a rural Senegal. Look into Reassemblage: From the Firelight to the Screen / IMDB / YouTube

A significant number of American children and teenagers - from all social backgrounds - suffer from mental disorders, schizophrenia, autism and emotional problems, leading them to isolation from society while treating their issues in mental health facilities. But there's no end in sight for those young individuals when they face obstacles and mistreatments in inadequa. Details on Children of Darkness / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary profile of actor Sterling Hayden . Read about Pharos of Chaos / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary on the Chicken Ranch, a legal Nevada brothel. Check out Chicken Ranch / IMDB / YouTube

In their final year at Muncie's Southside High School, a group of seniors hurtles toward maturity with a combination of joy, despair, and an aggravated sense of urgency. They are also learning a great deal about life, both in and out of school, and not what school officials think they are teaching. Find out about Seventeen / IMDB / YouTube

A portrait of the blues poet Gil Scott-Heron, who gives a personal tour of Washington, D.C. and performs a concert with his Midnight Band. Find out about Black Wax / IMDB / YouTube

A colorful and provocative survey of anarchism in America, the film attempts to dispel popular misconceptions and trace the historical development of the movement. The film explores the movement both as a native American philosophy stemming from 19th century American traditions of individualism, and as a foreign ideology brought to America by immigrants. The film feat. Check out Anarchism in America / IMDB / YouTube

Anthology film in which different scenes are montaged side by side. Hannelore Hoger plays a central role as the accused. Numerous references to earlier Kluge films are hidden. Details on The Power of Emotion / IMDB / YouTube

Through the experiences of two women in Paris and London, Ghost Dance offers a stunning analysis of the complexity of our conceptions of ghosts memory and the past. More about Ghost Dance / IMDB / YouTube