Murder on Middle Beach

Madison Hamburg and his crew did an incredible job documenting his extensive investigation on the MOST difficult of subjects. Well worth the five hour watch

"Murder on Middle Beach" (2020 release; 4 episodes of about 55 min. each) is a TV documentary mini-series regarding the murder of Barbara Hamburg. As Episode 1 "Mom's Dead" opens, it is "March 3, 2010", and the local TV reporter informs the viewers that a body was found on Middle Beach Rd., in Madison, CT. The body is of a 48 yr. old woman, Barbara Hamburg. We briefly hear of Barbara's mother, sister, and her son Madison (who wrote, produced and directed this mini-series). We then go to "2013 Three Years After the Murder" and Madison is talking to his dad (Barbara's ex-husband), who confesses that "She had a life I had no idea she had"... At this point we are 10 min. into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: Madison Hamburg makes his feature length debut with this very personal look back to his mom's life and times, and yes, murder. While Episode 1 contains the usual "happy" memories of the couple's early years including the birth of their 2 children, it becomes also clear that several things just feel off (check the ex-husband's 2013 comment I mentioned, for starters). The opening episode is not only surprisingly plot-heavy almost from the get-go, but it also feels very dark, as if a lot more bad stuff is going to be revealed to us the viewers. Of course I'm not going to spoil anything, just watch! This feels like a labor of love from the son, who has spent years (literally) on this project. I must say that this opening episode drew me in almost immediately, and I can't wait to see how it's all going to play out in the remaining three episodes. Must-see true crime TV!

"Murder on Middle Beach" premiered this weekend on HBO and Episode 1 is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. New episodes air Sunday evenings at 10 pm Eastern. If you are a fan of true crime or simply love a documentary well made, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

I had to step in here because people make garbage reviews based off watching only a few minutes. Episode 1 does start slow but there's a reason for that and if you watch the 2nd episode you understand why. We don't choose our parents y'all. It's kinda unfair to say "I can't watch this because he grew up privileged". It's actually a refreshing twist on most true crime doc's with the son of the murder victim being the one asking all the questions, and half the time, it's the first time anyone has asked them these questions (Police really seemed to have dropped the ball on this investigation) while also learning things about his mother and his family that he never knew growing up. The pilot was enough for me to want to know a little more and EP.2 has really gripped me in and gave me more than I expected after the pilot. Don't be turned off by weird reviews. In the pilot you kinda think you already know who committed the murder but that quickly changes. I'm very interested to see how the rest of this doc plays out.

(I hate leaving reviews for an entire series before the series is finished but I had to with some of the things I was reading. I will come back after the series is over to leave a proper review. So far 8/10 but I'll leave a 9 to balance out some of weird reviews)

My mother was the victim of a homicide. I think this is one of the most authentic and unique looks at the aftermath of murder that I've ever witnessed. Bravo.

I'm sitting here at a loss trying to put into words how much this documentary series has impacted me. I don't know that I can adequately describe it. I have never seen anything like this series. I had to write a review to let others know to watch this masterful piece of work. There is such an emotional payoff but it will wreck you at the same time. At this point, I will watch anything that Madison Hamburg makes in the future. He is so gifted and talented and I'm astounded at how intimately he conveyed his pain and loss and brought the viewers into his family. The level of vulnerability and courage that took just astounded me. I can't wait to see what he does next.