The Invisible Pilot

Otherwise it will seem like a complete waste of time. Note to timeline: everybody in the south during the 70s had a story like this. My cousin disappeared in the gulf and the rumor was, for years, he was killed because he was working for the cia. The truth was more likely he went on a fishing trip, got drunk and fell off the boat. See, it only took a few secs to sum up his life, not 3 hrs. Honestly, I only made it thru half of the first episode before throwing in. First, the worst doc I've ever watched with the exception of the 'search for big foot in east la'. Just a whole lot of nothing and when they turned the camera on the childhood friend/so-called film maker that was it for me.

Second, the quick edits of a whole lot of artsy dramatic effects like a bad acid trip gave me a headache. But hey, what do I know, I don't like manga either. Third, as I said, it was a flashback to the 70s. And all the rumors swirling around; sometimes about family, sometimes about other people long forgotten. Personally, I think the heat and humidity of arkansas summers causes the brain to jellify. But hey, for those who are drinking the koolaid here, go watch clash of the ozarks, another hillbilly exploitation produced on gopro with mashups from the web.

I won't spoil the details here if you haven't heard about this story before, just a couple of benign broad strokes.

Selfish and grandiose man justifies smuggling drugs, names players in government scandal, shows again how dirty our government is all the way to the top regardless of party affiliation by being involved in organized crime for money and self advancement...shocker. Oh and did I mention he abandoned his family in many nefarious ways? Ha. So, unless you're really young or had lived under a rock...we've seen it and heard this story for a lifetime, those before me, mine and yours.

To the pilot, wherever you are, you broke the law. You deserved jail time and to have to look at how your poor children suffered because of your abrupt and total abandonment. The mother of two is not innocent and no one in this was remorseful. I think they were confused about the MeToo movement...I'll clear it up...it doesn't mean, they got off scot free, so pardon me too.

For those who don't know a lot about the drug trades or the Iran-Contra political and humanitarian crimes, it helps fill in some interesting gaps which are referenced in many movies, documentaries, books, magazines and news reels.

Seriously? They've released ONE episode. And these chuckleheads have the whole series pegged already. Are we REALLY in that place now in society that we cast aspersions on a whole miniseries based on what literally could have been a teaser of a first episode??? Come down off your mountains guys...

Waiting till the end to post a real review. Was good enough for Siskel & Ebert. It's good enough for me.

As Episode 1 of "The Invisible Pilot " (2022 release; 3 episodes of about 55 min each) opens, we are on "Hazen , Arkansas", and the voice -over reminds is that 'truth is stranger than fiction". We are introduced to Gary Betzner, who loves to fly small planes. We then go to "September 18, 1977" as Gary and his wife Sally and their 2 kids go for a drive. Gary stops the car on a tall bridge, and much to the shock of Sally, he jumps off the bridge to his certain death. Why did Gary do this? Was the Dixie mafia somehow involved? At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this documentary is the brainchild of Phil Lott ("Murder In the Heartland") and Ari Mark. Here they look back, 45 years after the facts, what happened on that fateful day in 1977 and, more importantly, why. While the film makers were able to unearth a lot of 8mm and other video footage from half a century ago, and get the apparent cooperation of Sally and the kids, now well into their forties, I nevertheless got the feeling that this story doesn't seem to merit 3 hours, and probably would've benefited from a tighter edit. Certainly Episode 1 feels a little thin. Not a lot of ground is covered. Am i intrigued enough to seek out the remaining 2 episodes? I'll probably give Episode 2 a shot and see where we go from here.

"The Invisible Pilot" premiered earlier this week on HBO Max, wit Episodes 2 and 3 coming in the next 2 weeks. If you are into documentaries where "the truth is stranger than fiction", I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Only one episode in and I'm ready for another one. I'm not familiar with this story but have family near Hazen, AR. Very familiar with the scenery and have an Uncle who is a crop duster in that county.

Positives: this is a fascinating story with a twist that makes you want the next episode to be available. It's interesting and they don't try to hide the trauma and mental struggles of the family members.

Negatives The editing of the footage could have been a higher production value. At one point, they display Hazen, Arkansas in a title, then a shot of the Hazen square. Then it pans to a shot if the Dickson Street Bookstore in Fayetteville, Arkansas which is over 3 hours from Hazen. I know that most people watching will just see a bookstore shot that they think is in Hazen. But having been to both places many times, those two towns are so different from each other, from people to politics.

Overall, very satisfying to watch and I look forward to the next episode. It's always fun to watch a good documentary with familiar scenery, from the Des Arc bridge to Pulaski Heights Middle School in Little Rock.