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Your flight ticket and hotel are booked. You are a now a few days away from your trip to Siem Reap and you did not had the time to read about the temples of Angkor. Do not worry!

To help you out, we compiled a list of the best documentary films about Angkor available online. Most of them are in English, some others in French only. If you have other movies to suggest or want to report broken links, please free to comment on this post.

LOST WORLDS: CITY OF THE GOD KINGS (2002, Channel 4, in English) Watch online: Complete (49 min) This documentary gives a good overview about the history of the temples of Angkor. In this film, you will learn about the first images of the 1994’s Spaceborne Imaging Radar survey from NASA, the accounts of Zhou Daguan’s visit in Angkor in the 13th century, the first impressions of Henri Mouhot from 1860. Several leading archaeologists are interviewed and gave any interesting insights about their research on Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Phnom Kulen.

AUX SOURCES D’ANGKOR (2015, Science Grand Format, in French) A documentary about the first capital of the Khmer Empire, Mahendraparvata, situated on the top of Kulen mountain and its discovery in 2000 by Jean-Baptiste Chevance, French archaeologist. The map of the ancient city is confirmed by the LIDAR survey of 2012. Watch online: Complete (53 min)

ANGKOR REDECOUVERT (2013 ARTE, in French) Watch online: Complete (86 min) A film about the last findings of the LIDAR project and some archaeological research led by French and German teams in the temples of Koh Ker. Also presented, the groundbreaking documentary work of the French explorer and artist Louis Delaporte, at the end of the 19th century.

ACCESS 360 WORLD HERITAGE ANGKOR WAT (2013, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, in English) Watch online: Complete (44 min) A documentary about the LIDAR technology which helped scientists to get a better understanding of the layout of the city of Angkor Wat. A large part of the documentary is about the restoration and conservation efforts that took place in the temples over the years.

VISUALISING ANGKOR ( 3D) (2009, MONASH UNIVERSITY, in English) Watch online: Complete (3 min) An amazing short animation film produced by Monash University depicting the landscapes and daily life during the golden age of Angkor Wat.

ANGKOR WAT, LANDS OF GODS (2011 SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL, in English) Watch online: Part 1 (55 min) Part 2 (55 min) The first part of this documentary focuses on the rise of the Khmer empire and the legacy of Suryavarman II: Angkor Wat temple. Is explained also the connection between the temples and the quarries in the Kulen mountain. The second part is about Jayavarman VII well known for his extensive temple building program. Also presented, the last findings about Angkor Thom and the Bayon temple. Both part feature beautifully designed 3D and movie sequences.

ANGKOR: LA CIVILISATION ENGLOUTIE (2012, ARTE, in French) A documentary which highlights the works of the EFEO about the history of the consecutive capitals of the Khmer empire. New research results are presented about the temples of Beng Melea, Phnom Kulen, Preah Khan and the West Baray reservoir. Presented also, the new archaeological evidences uncovered by the LIDAR technology. Watch online: Complete (52 min)

ANCIENT MEGASTRUCTURES ANGKOR WAT (2008, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, in English)

This documentary focuses exclusively on the construction of Angkor Wat temple under the reign of Suryavarman II. Watch online: Complete (47 min)

DIGGING FOR THE TRUTH ANGKOR WAT (HISTORY CHANNEL, in English) A fast-paced documentary about Angkor Wat temple. Watch online: Complete (45 min)

PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

If you are a passionate photographer who wants to get the best pictures of Angkor and wants to improve your photo skills you can join our Angkor Wat sunrise tour or our countryside tour. We run also photography tours in the capital city of Phnom Penh.