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.
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55 comments:

  1. RumikoMay 11, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Good to know, one thing less to watch :P

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  2. gmanMay 11, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    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. sp3nnyMay 11, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    i'll stay away from it

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  4. //LoveMay 11, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Not watching that. Noted, thanks.

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  5. Easy Smile !May 11, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    thanks for the advice §

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  6. SkengMay 11, 2011 at 7:57 AM

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

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  7. Bob Ross Afro BlogMay 11, 2011 at 8:12 AM

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

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  8. dsMay 11, 2011 at 8:21 AM

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

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  9. A70 8TracMay 11, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    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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  10. FortuneMay 11, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    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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  11. edMay 11, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    unsatisfying. no one really cares about these bikers anymore

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  12. AlphalphaMay 11, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    I think I'll stick with Gangland :)

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  13. AnonymousMay 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Shouldn't there be an apostraphe in Hells?

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  14. Miyamoto KaryuuMay 11, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    lol okie i wont bother watching it xD

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  15. JCMay 11, 2011 at 11:45 AM

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

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  16. VenomForMassesMay 11, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    I've seen this doc. Great review btw

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  17. XenotothMay 11, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    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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  18. MetamorphictionMay 11, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Thanks for the review.

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  19. 123May 11, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    I remember seeing this ages ago

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  20. AnonymousMay 11, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    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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  21. Dave BenzeneMay 11, 2011 at 12:47 PM

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

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  22. Just MeMay 11, 2011 at 1:29 PM

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

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  23. Tech UnlockedMay 11, 2011 at 1:42 PM

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

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  24. JkF50May 11, 2011 at 1:48 PM

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

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  25. mindlessfrkMay 11, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    NGC is really opening it's public viewers o_o

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  26. Waef GrindleyMay 11, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    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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  27. The SpeakerMay 11, 2011 at 2:27 PM

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

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  28. BluRayBoyMay 11, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    I think I am going to pass on this one.

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  29. SaysMichaelMay 11, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Good thing I havent seen this.

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  30. DrivebotMay 11, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    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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  31. CPHMay 11, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Very neat! Always a great read!

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  32. AnonymousMay 11, 2011 at 3:49 PM

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

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  33. EssentialUndergroundMay 11, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    These are some sick dudes

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  34. KidefenceMay 11, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Holy crap. Will not watch. Thanks for that.

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  35. AramMay 11, 2011 at 4:56 PM

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

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  36. AnonymousMay 11, 2011 at 5:06 PM

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

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  37. PaulBlarkMay 11, 2011 at 5:14 PM

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

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  38. rakothMay 11, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    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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  39. JonnyMay 11, 2011 at 6:05 PM

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

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  40. STRAFORMay 11, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    were expecting more from that ):

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  41. fit4lifeMay 11, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    from what i've heard the hells angels are BAMFs

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  42. LöwenpickMay 11, 2011 at 10:21 PM

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

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  43. GastonMay 11, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    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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  44. logo messMay 12, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    Already know them, great post though! thanks

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  45. LarryMay 12, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    They are more a company now-a-days.

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  46. Jazz bazookaMay 12, 2011 at 7:13 AM

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

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  47. William MainMay 12, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    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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  48. bestblogger6May 12, 2011 at 8:12 AM

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

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  49. Patti D.May 12, 2011 at 8:28 AM

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

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  50. DubbaDeeDooMay 12, 2011 at 9:11 AM

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

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  51. GhekoMay 12, 2011 at 1:13 PM

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

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  52. Tomas.GMay 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Not watching that then.

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  53. Jon TurnerMay 13, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Hunter S Thompson has the best word on the hells angels

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  54. AnonymousMay 14, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    Thanks, not gonna watch it then :)

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  55. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Support your local 81's...

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