Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Review: National Geographic Inside Outlaw Bikers: Hells Angels


National Geographic channel has made several of documentaries about different biker clubs. This one, is build up around an ATF-investigation that in fact flopped in court. They base the story mainly on the ATF-agent in charge of the undercover operation and an informant that was a part of the team. They have also managed to get interviews with different members of Hells Angels.

I got early an impression that the documentary was more a cover up for the ATF then a reliable source of information. Having spent millions of dollars on a undercover operation, trying to get Hells Angels members in Arizona behind bars, and then the whole thing flopped. I guess some people feel the need for finding someone to blame, and especially the ATF-agent that leaded the operation gave me a strong impression of having his own motives for taking part in this documentary.

That said, I was very impressed that they had managed to get actual members and officials to speak with the camera on. Media often tend to portray them as hardcore criminals, and maybe they are, but they came really well out of the interviews in this documentary. Though, I think National Geographic misused the whole opportunity with these interviews. Instead of focusing only on this ATF-operation, they could have had a broader perspective on the Hells Angels.

I knew a little about Hells Angels before I saw this documentary from media coverage, and I did not learn anything knew at all.

This documentary was a big disapointment. It was not especially boring to watch, and it was perfect length, but their sources was not especially convincing, and it was a great deal of undocumented claims about the group. All in all, it was a straight forward 2. Not recommended, but not horrible enough for a 1.

55 comments:

  1. Good to know, one thing less to watch :P

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  2. once again, nothing is sacred to documenters. I would like to see them do a doco about aussie bike gangs, over here bikies are synonymous with hard drugs

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  3. Not watching that. Noted, thanks.

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  4. Sounds like a pretty poor documentary. Thanks for the heads-up

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  5. Thanks for the details on it.. Gonna avoid this one

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  6. Too bad if it sucked cos biker gangs are somewhat interesting.

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  7. Gangland seems to have done a better job at their view of the Hell's Angels. I like documentaries on 1 percenters, so I'm glad you let me know about this disappointment

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  8. Its hard to get new information out of a group like that- probably be in your boat if I watched it as well.

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  9. unsatisfying. no one really cares about these bikers anymore

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  10. I think I'll stick with Gangland :)

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  11. Shouldn't there be an apostraphe in Hells?

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  12. lol okie i wont bother watching it xD

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  13. Well, I guess this is something I won't watch

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  14. I've seen this doc. Great review btw

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  15. What can you expect from a documentary designed for entertainment about a group that really doesn't seem like it would take well to documentary's? :P

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  16. I remember seeing this ages ago

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  17. Interesting review. I would be interested in learning more about the investigation, but I agree with you. Learning a bit more about the Hell's Angels in the documentary would have been nice too.

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  18. Thanks for the heads up, I probably wont watch this now

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  19. glad i didnt watch. also funny when undercover guys fuck up.

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  20. Interesting concept for a TV show. Thanks for the review.

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  21. Pity it sucked, could have been a good job if done properly!

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  22. NGC is really opening it's public viewers o_o

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  23. Everyone knows these overview-level documentaries never have much new information, especially with a topic everyone knows at least a little about

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  24. I feel like lately the history channel lets me down more often than not.

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  25. I think I am going to pass on this one.

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  26. oh cool. this show seems pretty interesting, as i know very little about the HA. very nice blog too, nice layout :) thanks for checking out my blog. supporting :)

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  27. Very neat! Always a great read!

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  28. Dude I watched this on Gangland. Those fools don't mess around.

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  29. Holy crap. Will not watch. Thanks for that.

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  30. i like the idea for the show too bad they messed it up

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  31. ATF should be watching for organized crime, not running after bikers

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  32. I think I saw a portion of this documentary. From what I remember you are right, it was pretty boring.

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  33. That's a shame, I was looking forward on a bit more information on Hell's Angels, i think they have very interesting backstory.

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  34. I use to get NG magazine, but have since cancelled. Just wasn't the same. :/

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  35. were expecting more from that ):

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  36. from what i've heard the hells angels are BAMFs

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  37. I'm usually into crime-related documents, but I may skip this one. Thanks for the info!

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  38. shut up, they got officers to speak with em...the people at NG are definitely doing something right.

    (other than this, i've never heard of em opening up to any sort of media)

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  39. Already know them, great post though! thanks

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  40. They are more a company now-a-days.

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  41. at first i thought about watching it, but now that you say only 2... i'll think about it.

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  42. That sounds pretty poor. It'd have actually been something I'd have watched as well. I'll just avoid it if I ever come across it.

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  43. I'm more comfortable with TLC, or what i like to call the exploitation network

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  44. I don't know anything about the hells angels, so I guess this will be nice for me.

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  45. I've seen sooooooo many docs about HA that it isn't really entertaining anymore. -.- Gangland!

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  46. Love the new look! And bikers aren't really my thing!

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  47. Hunter S Thompson has the best word on the hells angels

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  48. Thanks, not gonna watch it then :)

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  49. Support your local 81's...

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