Explore the Minds Behind Science: Top 10 Documentaries About Scientists

Description: This three-part documentary series, based on Brian Greene's book, explores string theory, a theory that attempts to unify all forces of nature into one framework.

Fact: The series was produced by NOVA and features animated sequences to explain complex scientific concepts.

Description: While not a documentary, this biographical drama captures the life of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician whose contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, and infinite series were profound.

Fact: The film was based on the book by Robert Kanigel and features Dev Patel as Ramanujan, showcasing his mathematical genius and his struggles in England.

Description: This film delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist known as the "father of the atomic bomb," focusing on his contributions to the Manhattan Project and the subsequent political and personal trials he faced.

Fact: The documentary includes interviews with Oppenheimer's colleagues and family members, providing a personal perspective on his life.

Description: This documentary tells the story of the Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, and the scientists who dedicated their lives to exploring the outer planets and beyond.

Fact: The film includes interviews with the original Voyager team members, many of whom were in their 20s when the project began.

Description: This film follows scientists working on the cutting edge of aging research, exploring the quest for immortality through scientific means.

Fact: The documentary features interviews with leading researchers in the field of longevity, including those working on telomere research.

Description: This documentary explores the development of the atomic bomb during World War II, focusing on the scientists involved in the Manhattan Project and the ethical dilemmas they faced.

Fact: The film uses archival footage and interviews to provide a comprehensive look at the project, including perspectives from both American and Japanese scientists.

Description: This documentary series examines the life and work of Charles Darwin, focusing on his theory of evolution by natural selection and its impact on science and society.

Fact: The series was presented by Richard Dawkins, who provides insights into Darwin's theories and their modern implications.

Description: This film captures the excitement and anticipation surrounding the launch of the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest particle accelerator. It follows six scientists as they seek to unravel the mysteries of the Higgs boson, or "God particle."

Fact: The film was shot over the course of seven years, and the director, Mark Levinson, had unprecedented access to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

Description: This documentary provides an insider's look at Fermilab, the U.S. Department of Energy's premier particle physics laboratory, and the scientists working on the Tevatron, the world's most powerful particle accelerator at the time.

Fact: The film was made with the cooperation of Fermilab, allowing the filmmakers to capture the day-to-day life and work of the scientists.

Description: This documentary explores the theory of chaos, showing how simple rules can lead to complex behavior in systems from weather patterns to the stock market. It features interviews with key figures in the field of chaos theory.

Fact: The film uses stunning visualizations to illustrate complex scientific concepts, making it accessible to a broad audience.