Greatest 25 Documentary Movies Hits from 1988

A film that successfully argued that a man was wrongly convicted for murder by a corrupt justice system in Dallas County, Texas. Look into The Thin Blue Line / IMDB / YouTube

An exploration of technologically developing nations and the effect the transition to Western-style modernization has had on them. More about Powaqqatsi / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary of the Irish rock group U2 on their Fall 1987 tour of North America. Learn about U2: Rattle and Hum / IMDB / YouTube

A biography of the rock music star. Learn about Imagine: John Lennon / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary following Kenzo Okuzaki, a 62-year-old WW2 veteran notorious for his protests against Emperor Hirohito, as he tries to expose the needless executions of two Japanese soldiers during the war. Find out about The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On / IMDB / YouTube

George Carlin changes his act by bringing politics into the act, but also talks about the People he can do without, Keeping People Alert, and Cars and Driving part 2. Learn about George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? / IMDB / YouTube

I'll look at you, but not at the camera. It could be a trap, whispers Jane Birkin shyly into Agnès Varda's ear at the start of JANE B. PAR AGNES V. The director of CLEO FROM 5 TO 7 and VAGABOND once again paints a portrait of a woman, this time in a marvelously Expressionistic way. It's like an imaginary bio-pic, says Varda. Jane, of course, is the famed singer (. More about Jane B. for Agnes V. / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary about Klaus Barbie, the Gestapo chief of Lyon, and his life after the war. Look into Hôtel Terminus / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary detailing the spread of Hawaiian sugar-cane toads through Australia in a botched effort to introduce them as counter pests. Find out about Cane Toads: An Unnatural History / IMDB / YouTube

Rock 'n' roll legend Roy Orbison and some friends, legends in their own right, get together and perform some of Orbison's songs. Learn about Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night / IMDB / YouTube

Bringing his unique sense of humor to this bizarre and original piece of moviemaking, Tom Waits takes the audience through a musical journey with his jazzy, quirky, bluesy tunes presented as you would never, ever, ever expect. Read about Big Time / IMDB / YouTube

Documentary on the making of The Sacrifice. Details on Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky / IMDB / YouTube

Manufacturing Miracles is the Invalid ranked movie in 1988 documentary list. Learn about Manufacturing Miracles / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary about the classic 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' film, including interviews with Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, John Dugan and Jim Seidow. Find out about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait / IMDB / YouTube

This is a documentary that revisits the making of Gone with the Wind (1939) with archival footage, screen tests, insightful interviews and rare film footage. See more about The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary issued to police in the 80's on how to survive edged-based attacks, primarily blades -- with often comical and novel examples. Look into Surviving Edged Weapons / IMDB / YouTube

In 1988, Tilda Swinton toured round the Berlin Wall on a bicycle, accompanied by filmmaker Cynthia Beatt. Starting and ending at the Brandenburg Gate, Swinton leads us on a journey that is by turns idyllic, surreal, whimsical and depressing. Get info on Cycling the Frame / IMDB / YouTube

A very informative documentary on the making of Peter Jackson's gore classic Bad Taste. Highlights include behind-the-scenes footage, detailed explanations of the special effects, an interview with Peter's mom and dad, and interviews with the cast and crew. Details on Good Taste Made Bad Taste / IMDB / YouTube

Guns N' Roses performs live at the Ritz in New York, NY on February 2nd 1988. Details on Guns N Roses: Live at the Ritz / IMDB / YouTube

The Cure performs at a rock concert in France. Check out The Cure in Orange / IMDB / YouTube

Raw stand-up routines performed by Chris Rock, Tim Allen, Jackie Martling and nine others are shown in this documentary that launched their careers. Details on Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen / IMDB / YouTube

In a studio setting, Stephen Hawking, Arthur C. Clarke and Carl Sagan (who joins them via satellite) discuss the Big Bang theory, God, our existence as well as the possibility of extraterrestrial life. More about God, the Universe and Everything Else / IMDB / YouTube

This special mockumentary shows the California Raisins' humble beginnings, rise to stardom, fall from stardom, and rise back to stardom again, all told through interviews with the Raisins themselves, manager Rudy Begaman and the various colorful characters the Raisins ran into. Features many great songs from the fifties to the eighties. More about Meet the Raisins! / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary about the life and career of legendary cartoon director Fred Tex Avery. Look into Tex Avery, the King of Cartoons / IMDB / YouTube

Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toontown is a behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by Joanna Cassidy on the making of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It originally aired as a television special to promote the film. Although the special was never released on any home video format, a documentary Behind the Ears: The True Story of Roger Rabbit was included as its replacement. Check out Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toon Town / IMDB / YouTube