Shocking History

Unbelievable! UK

The Death of Hitler, the Story of a State Secret

52m 35s

On April 30, 1945, while the Russian Army surrounded Berlin, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker. His body was discovered a few days later by the Soviets. He would be positively identified after a top secret inquest in which Hitler's personal dentist would play a central role. And yet, at the same time, Stalin publicly declared that his army was unable to find the Führer's body, choosing to let the wildest rumors develop and going so far as to accuse some of his Allies.

The Man Who Knew Too Much

44m 27s

Desmond Patrick Costello was one of the most brilliant New Zealanders of his generation – a linguist of genius who spoke ten languages and could learn one in a month. He was also a war hero who used his linguistic skills to lead his battered unit from behind German lines in Greece to safety in an incredible journey of bravery and daring. Appointed as a diplomat to the New Zealand legation in Moscow after the war he wrote the first western eyewitness account of the Nazi death camps.

Somaliland : An Experiment in Democracy

57m 42s

In 1991 the northern section of Somalia declared itself an independent democratic state, since then Somaliland has struggled on its path to find international recognition while the rest of Somalia has become infamous for anarchy and violence. Somaliland: An Experiment in Democracy follows the 2012 election spotlighting the difficulties of running an election in an undeveloped country with a fragile infrastructure.

The scientist, the imposter and Stalin: How to feed the people

54m 34s

Two extraordinary human destinies, caught up in the implacable political machinery of the burgeoning Soviet Union of the 1920s, prey to famine. Based on hitherto unreleased archives, this incredible scientific controversy takes on its full significance at a time when the whole world is wondering how on Earth it can feed the people of tomorrow.

The Last Caravaggio

39m 40s

In the footsteps of Caravaggio’s Nativity, the canvas of the great master stolen 50 years ago in Palermo, among mafia, art dealers up to the Lugano vaults.

The Surgeon & The Soldier

53m 09s

The story of leading Australian surgeon, Associate Prof Munjed Al Muderis, who has pioneered Osseointegration surgery - a controversial procedure for amputees.