The 1st episode introduces this guys life, and the characters in his life. Can't give away spoilers but its absolutely worth seeing the 2nd + 3rd episodes (the entire series is 3 episodes)...as he was involved in quite the scandal. Reviews based on only the first episode make 0 sense, as they haven't even seen 1/3rd of the story. It was really interesting, and anyone under a certain age probably doesn't know much about these incidences so it was very fascinating to see. The relationship to his family is also interesting and is the undercurrent to the series, but the stuff he is involved with is more in episodes 2+3 so they should be watched. Incomplete otherwise.
47 Reviews
Intriguing narcissist
darenconnor13 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Well told, fast paced story that's almost too strange to be true. Quite a number of wild characters. The main character is a complete and utterly self-absorbed, but surprisingly likable, narcissist. You'll find yourself shaking your head in amazement that someone could really be that selfish, and apparently unaware. The damage left in his wake as he continues to tell himself he's a great guy doing noble work has to be seen to be believed.
An interesting story told badly.
andrewrye-0653520 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The biggest problem with this is the choppy story telling.
In the first episode I couldn't keep up with all the characters and who the kids were. It went backwards and forwards sewing in old film with interviews from 2009, 2012 and 2021. People's looks changed and it was difficult to follow. Even stories of the same event and time period altered depending on who was being interviewed.
I had to put on the subtitles as they rambled, mumbled and the heavy accents were difficult to hear, especially with an intrusive and unnecessary sound track.
The story is basic enough, man fakes his own death, asks God what should he do and ends up smuggling (and over using) drugs. Pretty sure that wasn't God's plan. Then he returns and he and the wife and kids disappear for a new life but wind up back where they started. Intertwine Reagan, the war on drugs and the Iran Contra era and it gets messy. The main character is a pure narcissist. The whole family looked like they were stoned during the documentary, especially mum. This was the very meaning of looking at their life through rose coloured glasses. Oh what fun we had, smuggling drugs, meeting Pablo Escobar (a great dude according to this guy), living in the nude, dropping acid, buying drugs off dad while he was in prison, mum giving dad ecstasy while he was in prison! And having sex with anyone.
This documentary glorified drugs to a sickening level and then when he got caught, well we need to blame someone, I know it's the governments fault. F.. ém (that was a constant remark from them all). So off to congress and testify against the CIA and Oliver North et al... No one goes to jail, he doesn't get a reduced sentence which is horrifying for all.
The best part of this is the last 20 minutes. This when you get to see them today. Dad is 80 and gets stoned everyday, lives with his ex-MIL and needs to get out. Son crawls out of the back of a van with a bong (where he presumably lives) to yell for his mom and mom? Well she stoned somewhere.
This could have been a good story handled correctly. Instead it is told through interviews where the interviewee constantly regales us with stories of how great everything was, including drugs. There is no constant flow, the timeline is messy and uncoordinated. To be fair, these people were a speck in the 80s who think they were something. Dad said it best when he said he as a coward, a rare moment of honesty. It needed a narrator to tie it together.
It's a 5 for the promise it had but lack of clarity and uneven story telling.
In the first episode I couldn't keep up with all the characters and who the kids were. It went backwards and forwards sewing in old film with interviews from 2009, 2012 and 2021. People's looks changed and it was difficult to follow. Even stories of the same event and time period altered depending on who was being interviewed.
I had to put on the subtitles as they rambled, mumbled and the heavy accents were difficult to hear, especially with an intrusive and unnecessary sound track.
The story is basic enough, man fakes his own death, asks God what should he do and ends up smuggling (and over using) drugs. Pretty sure that wasn't God's plan. Then he returns and he and the wife and kids disappear for a new life but wind up back where they started. Intertwine Reagan, the war on drugs and the Iran Contra era and it gets messy. The main character is a pure narcissist. The whole family looked like they were stoned during the documentary, especially mum. This was the very meaning of looking at their life through rose coloured glasses. Oh what fun we had, smuggling drugs, meeting Pablo Escobar (a great dude according to this guy), living in the nude, dropping acid, buying drugs off dad while he was in prison, mum giving dad ecstasy while he was in prison! And having sex with anyone.
This documentary glorified drugs to a sickening level and then when he got caught, well we need to blame someone, I know it's the governments fault. F.. ém (that was a constant remark from them all). So off to congress and testify against the CIA and Oliver North et al... No one goes to jail, he doesn't get a reduced sentence which is horrifying for all.
The best part of this is the last 20 minutes. This when you get to see them today. Dad is 80 and gets stoned everyday, lives with his ex-MIL and needs to get out. Son crawls out of the back of a van with a bong (where he presumably lives) to yell for his mom and mom? Well she stoned somewhere.
This could have been a good story handled correctly. Instead it is told through interviews where the interviewee constantly regales us with stories of how great everything was, including drugs. There is no constant flow, the timeline is messy and uncoordinated. To be fair, these people were a speck in the 80s who think they were something. Dad said it best when he said he as a coward, a rare moment of honesty. It needed a narrator to tie it together.
It's a 5 for the promise it had but lack of clarity and uneven story telling.
A good roller coaster ride and it just started!
sylviahickey-370616 April 2022
One episode down and I'm hooked! Super crazy story that's even crazier because it's TRUE! If you like shows that blow your mind with lots of unexpected twist, then you need to watch TIP. I like how the show is edited, because It keeps you engaged. There wasn't one dull moment! Pleeeease HBO, are you really going to make us wait a whole week for the 2nd episode??? I can't wait!
Very unbelievable
desertrose-6261123 April 2022
My sorrow is for the kids, the parents were selfish and opportunistic. I find it absolutely amazed the parents feel so sorry for themselves. The mother could've left while the kids were young and given them a better life but she still was selfish as her no good ex-husband. I have no feeling towards the parents only their children.
Down the rabbit hole of truth crazier than fiction.
paudieconnolly6 August 2022
An interesting look at personal decisions and the decisions of Government , that seem bigger than the individual until you are that individual. Who's the biggest bad guy law makers or law breakers .maybe not the good but certainly the bad and the ugly.
Fairly thin opening episode
paul-allaer10 April 2022
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.
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.
Dramatic....
ellipseanostalrius5 April 2022
Like a Bigfoot or Ancient Aliens "documentary." All the hallmarks of a really bad documentary.
1. Dramatic music. Check.
2. Inexplicable jumping back and forth through time. Check.
3. Cut scenes every five seconds. Check.
4. In depth description of "feelings" on topics that aren't even clarified. Check.
What is totally clear is that something really, really dramatic happened. The spine-tingling music proves it and something that could be narrated in 30 minutes, will be teased out over multiple episodes in the most annoying fashion possible.
1. Dramatic music. Check.
2. Inexplicable jumping back and forth through time. Check.
3. Cut scenes every five seconds. Check.
4. In depth description of "feelings" on topics that aren't even clarified. Check.
What is totally clear is that something really, really dramatic happened. The spine-tingling music proves it and something that could be narrated in 30 minutes, will be teased out over multiple episodes in the most annoying fashion possible.
Don't rate after only one episode
vam-vm19 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I seriously doubt the negative ninnies that gave one and two star reviews actually know where this story goes. The true story of the incredible life of Gary Metzner. A pilot who flew tons of cocaine from South and Central America to Florida. Knew and smuggled for Pablo Escobar. Was blackmailed by the CIA to run guns to the Contras and return with plane loaded with coke. Fascinating story of a guy who faked his death and in the process made his kids life a mess.
Interesting Story Of A Family Of Flacked Out Stoners
billyray-3307522 April 2022
The Guy was a drug dealer who ran from the law numerous times and worse off he misused his family. What he did was all in his own best interest! Period. Then complains about the punishments. By the way, his family are all nuts and burnouts too. None of them are productive citizens. All this show proves is that drugs are dangerous and people like these are useless public drains on society after using and dealing drugs for years. None of these people could be trusted to actually make any truthful statements!
Reviewing the reviews
bmnrn5 April 2022
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.
Waiting till the end to post a real review. Was good enough for Siskel & Ebert. It's good enough for me.
Just Awful.
helenahandbasket-9373412 April 2022
I'm not sure what's more grating-
1. The obvious mental incapacity of every single person in this 'documentary'- it feels more like an 'I wish my life were cool so I'm going to embellish every single fact to make things seems so much better!' Of course they're all completely stoned or taken leave of the majority of their faculties, and the wife is the worst. I cannot take listening to any of them but mostly her storytelling skills are the worst.
2. Stupid music constantly playing- it's very uneven and doesn't fit with a single aspect of the story. It's stupid loud most of the time and makes no sense.
3. The director has absolutely ZERO clue how to tell a story- it feels more like a poorly done home movie with decent quality cameras. The storyline jumps around incredibly sporadically and doesn't piece anything together AT ALL.
These are the 3 most annoying aspects of this hot mess of a series, and it's now become a real toss-up as to which streaming service is worse for documentaries; Netflix and HBO seem to be locked in a death match to see who can suck at supporting some of the worst work on the face of the earth.
One things for sure- IMDb needs to begin offering the zero rating option.
1. The obvious mental incapacity of every single person in this 'documentary'- it feels more like an 'I wish my life were cool so I'm going to embellish every single fact to make things seems so much better!' Of course they're all completely stoned or taken leave of the majority of their faculties, and the wife is the worst. I cannot take listening to any of them but mostly her storytelling skills are the worst.
2. Stupid music constantly playing- it's very uneven and doesn't fit with a single aspect of the story. It's stupid loud most of the time and makes no sense.
3. The director has absolutely ZERO clue how to tell a story- it feels more like a poorly done home movie with decent quality cameras. The storyline jumps around incredibly sporadically and doesn't piece anything together AT ALL.
These are the 3 most annoying aspects of this hot mess of a series, and it's now become a real toss-up as to which streaming service is worse for documentaries; Netflix and HBO seem to be locked in a death match to see who can suck at supporting some of the worst work on the face of the earth.
One things for sure- IMDb needs to begin offering the zero rating option.
I can only believe that the 10 star reviews are either the filmmakers themselves, their friends, or the people in it.
loriwolf-5135413 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I can only believe that the 10 star reviews are either the filmmakers themselves, their friends, or the people in it.
I am documentary lover, but this is one of the worst documentaries I have ever seen. Dragged out, choppy mess of a thing. On top of it, the story is just ridiculous with the wife and the shoe. What a liar. If she's lying about that, she's probably lying about not dating him while he was married too. She's cringeworthy. Does anyone really care about this guy's childhood? Not me. This whole story could have been told in one hour tops. Insufferable. I won't be watching episode 3 as I've wasted enough of my life.
I am documentary lover, but this is one of the worst documentaries I have ever seen. Dragged out, choppy mess of a thing. On top of it, the story is just ridiculous with the wife and the shoe. What a liar. If she's lying about that, she's probably lying about not dating him while he was married too. She's cringeworthy. Does anyone really care about this guy's childhood? Not me. This whole story could have been told in one hour tops. Insufferable. I won't be watching episode 3 as I've wasted enough of my life.
MUST SEE !!! Great true story!
jodyhiscock19 April 2022
Ignore the low ratings! Very interesting story and lots of factual evidence.
Watch the first episode and decide for yourself! Definitely binge material. If you've got a few hours to spare on weekend, you won't regret it.
All 3 episodes were cliff hangets. No idea why this has a low rating. It's a least a good 7/10 at worst.
Grab some popcorn. Sit back and relax.
Watch the first episode and decide for yourself! Definitely binge material. If you've got a few hours to spare on weekend, you won't regret it.
All 3 episodes were cliff hangets. No idea why this has a low rating. It's a least a good 7/10 at worst.
Grab some popcorn. Sit back and relax.
This one time, at band camp,
Xavier_Stone6 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I can't help it, this is the vibe I get from this show. Every person that gets in front of the camera has to tell their story. Multiple time lines, so this doc was started and stopped many times, and since the main story is centered around his death and drug running in 1977 it's old news.
The endless cut scenes in the first 5 minutes are devastating, unwatchable. But I guess the film maker is trying to generate interest in such an old forgotten story.
There are 3 episodes, this first one is trash. I've read other reviews on other sites and they hint that it may get better. This one is trying to setup a back story, but doesn't even scratch the surface of anything remotely interesting. Lots of photos and videos showing characters and how they age, but that's about it.
It may get better, but first impressions are mostly accurate for good reason. I'll pass on any more.
The endless cut scenes in the first 5 minutes are devastating, unwatchable. But I guess the film maker is trying to generate interest in such an old forgotten story.
There are 3 episodes, this first one is trash. I've read other reviews on other sites and they hint that it may get better. This one is trying to setup a back story, but doesn't even scratch the surface of anything remotely interesting. Lots of photos and videos showing characters and how they age, but that's about it.
It may get better, but first impressions are mostly accurate for good reason. I'll pass on any more.
Awesome First episode
kthrogers7 April 2022
only watch this if you're high
howboutthisone_huh23 April 2022
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.
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.
Why is any time being given to this?
bizzyziggy13 April 2022
What a bunch of disgusting human beings. From the slime-ball father, to the wife, down to the children. Everything about them is despicable. Oh, I imagine all the worthless potheads are loving this. So many more worthwhile stories out there and time is wasted on this.
On the edge of my seat
mls-553976 April 2022
Another attempt
ucc-0173530 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Another attempt to rewrite history on governments involvement bringing drugs into U. S, better to read Gary Webbs book about the Bush's & Clintons
Living in the country, I've heard many older men telling tall tales & embellishing what really happen, this "documentary" is no different. We are suppose to believe a guy who was high with lsd, weed, coke, shrooms, was flying planes & remember what happened?
Do better HBO.
Do better HBO.
Interesting Story
tmdavenport-351308 April 2022
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.
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.
Yet another criminal with no scruples
Valid_ID3 July 2022
This documentary stretches the seedy story of a drug smuggler who in the 70s transported cocaine from Colombia into the US into 3 hour-long episodes, trying to make it suspenseful (it's not!) and fascinating (it's just the story of a not-so-smart criminal).
Right off the bat the guy seems stupid and crazy when he claims he performed a service to humanity by transporting cocaine.
This drug smuggler faked his death in a shockingly dumb manner (I can't believe some people swallowed his story of hypnotizing his wife to tell a lie!) to avoid being sent to prison, and then kept calling his wife on the phone regularly! Both him and his second wife are idiots, and it's frustrating to watch how they laugh at their own stupid comments. The only reason this drug smuggler wasn't caught earlier is that in the 70s the police wasn't tapping phones as easily as they do nowadays, and the air space surveillance wasn't what it is today.
Sadly, this criminal doesn't demonstrate any remorse for what he did, both by transporting drugs, and as a failed father in the lives of his children. Seeing how gleeful he is when he sees other miscreants is another tell sign of a complete lack of morals.
It miffs me that people look up to criminals like this, and documentaries such as this only serve to glorify a seedy story!
Right off the bat the guy seems stupid and crazy when he claims he performed a service to humanity by transporting cocaine.
This drug smuggler faked his death in a shockingly dumb manner (I can't believe some people swallowed his story of hypnotizing his wife to tell a lie!) to avoid being sent to prison, and then kept calling his wife on the phone regularly! Both him and his second wife are idiots, and it's frustrating to watch how they laugh at their own stupid comments. The only reason this drug smuggler wasn't caught earlier is that in the 70s the police wasn't tapping phones as easily as they do nowadays, and the air space surveillance wasn't what it is today.
Sadly, this criminal doesn't demonstrate any remorse for what he did, both by transporting drugs, and as a failed father in the lives of his children. Seeing how gleeful he is when he sees other miscreants is another tell sign of a complete lack of morals.
It miffs me that people look up to criminals like this, and documentaries such as this only serve to glorify a seedy story!
Really bad telling of the story.
mcolecap21 April 2022
Absolutely CAPTIVATING!
filmnut-642986 April 2022
Miss Guided Facts which is the "Real" TRUTH to "American Made" which was based on mostly LIES
gqhrbcmf5 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I have to agree with the reviewers perspective. This is why I felt more should have been dedicated to the Iran contra stuff and all the wiki leaks projects he was involved in helping bring down the deep state and corruption in our government.
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