Top 10 Documentaries About Geniuses

Description: Robert S. McNamara, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, reflects on his life, career, and the lessons learned from his involvement in major historical events, offering insights into the mind of a strategic thinker.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and features McNamara's candid interviews.

Description: A biographical drama about Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematical genius, whose contributions to mathematics were groundbreaking despite his lack of formal training.

Fact: The film is based on the book by Robert Kanigel and features Dev Patel as Ramanujan, capturing his journey from India to Cambridge.

Description: While not about a traditional genius, this film delves into the world of competitive arcade gaming, focusing on the rivalry between two men vying for the world record on Donkey Kong, showcasing dedication and obsession.

Fact: The film has become a cult classic, highlighting the subculture of arcade gaming and the lengths people will go to achieve personal greatness.

Description: A behind-the-scenes look at Pixar Animation Studios, detailing the creative genius behind some of the most beloved animated films and the company's journey from a small startup to a powerhouse in animation.

Fact: The documentary includes interviews with key figures like John Lasseter and Steve Jobs, providing insights into the creative process and business challenges faced by Pixar.

Description: This documentary follows Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master, who has dedicated his life to perfecting the art of sushi, showcasing his relentless pursuit of culinary perfection.

Fact: Jiro's sushi restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, has three Michelin stars, and the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Description: The film follows two South African fans in their quest to find out what happened to their musical hero, Rodriguez, an American singer-songwriter who was largely unknown in his home country but became a legend in South Africa.

Fact: Rodriguez was believed to be dead by his fans, and the documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Description: This documentary tells the story of Philippe Petit, a French high-wire artist, who performed an unauthorized high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.

Fact: The film uses a mix of archival footage, reenactments, and interviews to recreate the tension and excitement of Petit's daring feat.

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

Fact: Hosted by Richard Dawkins, the series also delves into modern evolutionary biology and the ongoing debate over creationism.

Description: This film captures the excitement and anticipation surrounding the launch of the Large Hadron Collider, showcasing the work of physicists who are on the brink of discovering the Higgs boson, often referred to as the "God particle."

Fact: The film includes interviews with leading physicists like Nima Arkani-Hamed and David Kaplan, providing a personal touch to the scientific endeavor.

Description: This film explores the life and untimely death of Aaron Swartz, a programming prodigy, internet activist, and co-founder of Reddit, who fought for open access to information.

Fact: The documentary includes interviews with Swartz's family, friends, and colleagues, offering an intimate look at his life and activism.