As current owner of two Harley's and also two Indians, I really enjoyed this mini-series. The only complaint that I have is how Indian builder, George Hendee, was portrayed as kind of a pompous jerk. The truth is that Art Davidson and Hendee were not enemies but were close friends who visited each other at their homes and bonded over common interests in motorcycles and other things. Also, before each sales season, representatives of both companies would meet for a big meal and discuss each companies new models and discuss what they should charge for each new model. (Would be illegal "price fixing" today!) In addition, when Indian got in financial trouble before DuPont bought the company, Harley founders even had discussions on how to help Indian financially. And when Indian finally died, there was mourning in Milwaukee. All the Indian vs Harley "war" was mainly at the dealer level. And of course on the race track! Again, I really enjoyed this series!
22 Reviews
Great Series
gripper-816819 September 2016
Great ..Seem pretty accurate to me. I'm sure they took certain liberties with the real story. Sometimes Myth and legends are difficult to separate. But as a Harley owner and a long time M/C rider I enjoyed the series. Harley Davidson is truly an American Icon, that has made over numerous adversities. Sits right up there with Ford, Chevy, G.E. etc.
For over 100 years, Harley Davidson has earned a legacy among motorcycles.
Loved the way the story line was written around the two families. Also thought the actors/actresses seem authentic. Plus the reproduction of motorcycles were believable.
For over 100 years, Harley Davidson has earned a legacy among motorcycles.
Loved the way the story line was written around the two families. Also thought the actors/actresses seem authentic. Plus the reproduction of motorcycles were believable.
An excellent film rendering about the Classic
reallaplaine26 September 2016
Harley and the Davidsons was an excellent film rendering based on the true story of the start and growth of the Harley Davidson MC covering over 30 years of its beginning. It was well-acted, the attention to detail, the spicy human interaction and complexities, along with, of course, the trials and tribulations of testing and losing and testing again until the Harley finally came into being, kept me glued. It was also interesting to see just how fast the motor industry exploded at the turn of the century, how many MC brands suddenly appeared and how crazy the world became over motorcycles. I think this is a very human story, quite inspiring and just easy to watch. And, having seen it, I want a Harley more than ever!
Wonderful series!
flowertimezones12 September 2016
This series was not meant to be a documentary, so historically inaccurate segments are expected. What it turned out to be is a fast moving (3 decades in three episodes) dramatization of the spirit of entrepreneur-ism, which accurately depicts many failures. I used this show as an example to my kids about how entrepreneurs and business people often fail, but those that succeed are the ones who continued to push in spite of the failures. These guys never gave up on the idea itself and never gave in to the setbacks and outright disasters along the way; the war, the great depression, personal illness, patent issues, failed designs, failed races, competition, money issues, etc. (many of which did happen). That is the true heart of entrepreneurship - even if some of the situations never occurred or were exaggerated. The spirit was there and you felt it throughout the entire series. Kudos...
A Great American Story That Entertains
AudioFileZ19 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is a mini-series that, I'm sure, is manna for the motorcycle enthusiast, but it should appeal to anyone who likes a good story. I've heard from those drenched in the H-D history that liberties were taken to, perhaps, embellish the story such as the exaggerated personal dislike between Indian's founder Hendee and the H-D owners. Well, this is entertainment and not a documentary and it does serve to underscore the fact that at many levels the two companies were truly trying outdo each other with the undisputed best motorcycle. This is a integral part of any fledgling company, even industry and it's definitely a driving force to which the movie makes clear. This is where the human element of man, machine, and business really intersect and it's a constant in propelling the story. The actors depicting the H-D company are all quite charismatic too. It's puts a pretty face forward of the unrelenting drive that pushed American ingenuity to new heights, but, really, these guys are so likable you'd want to buy one of their machines just because. At any rate, this is a good yarn to which we see the passionate results all around as much as ever today. Harley-Davidson is one true American iconic product. To see it's birth in such a long-ago time so well depicted is a treasure. Besides the story this is lovingly presented with excellent period costumes, sets, and actual bikes. There is something intangible about Harley-Davidson's motorcycles and this is a glimpse everyone, not just riders, can enjoy. Great story, fine acting, impressive cinematography, and real history too. Discovery Channel should be commended for such a fine production. I hope they tackle more such as this in the future...and you should see it.
Enjoyed It
cosmax1012 September 2016
I really enjoyed it. I am not a movie critic because I watch something for entertainment, I am not interested in historic accuracy, whether characters were realistic or not, or if the story line was embellished. If I wanted that I would watch something that is close to being realistic. Some of the reviews are more like a huge long whine about nothing and just being petty. The show is called "Harley and the Davidsons", it is about them and their lives and relationships and what they achieved. If you don't want to watch a show about that then maybe it is not for you, a documentary might be more suited to some people. I need a 10th line, and have run out of things to say, so I hope everyone has a great day.
It's entertaining
drkoraf18 September 2016
As with all show business productions, the goal is to entertain and that is all I was looking for...to be entertained. To that end, I was! Others can pretend to be connoisseurs of entertainment production and pontificate as to the relative merits of plot, character development, etc., but I find that to be a ridiculous presumption of insight and unbridled arrogance. Just let this mini-series flow across the screen and simply enjoy it without trying to overthink it and you might find that it is very entertaining as a whole...I did, and when I heard that oh-so-familiar deep throated sound from the knucklehead's engine, it brought back many fond memories of road trips gone by! As with all reviews and reviewers, take them with a grain of salt and don't let anyone else try to tell you what to think. See the movie and make up your own mind!
a series that discovery channel suits
wbinnekamp15 October 2016
A well profiled series that learns a story about inventing things, building (growing in) a marketing plan, expand and learning of some failures. Acting is magical and almost a AAA movie. better than some top series on HBO,Netflix and even Hollywood studios. This is a great mini-series and i hope it will get a great new discovery in some other great inventions and a lifestyle what it brings whit this great story behind the great empires
This story it's almost about fact and how it should have been that time, otherwise the story is romantic and patriotic. I see myself in this picture. Building things and creating things and see how the realities sets me back in hard crucial ebony.
This story it's almost about fact and how it should have been that time, otherwise the story is romantic and patriotic. I see myself in this picture. Building things and creating things and see how the realities sets me back in hard crucial ebony.
Great Historical Entertainment
lrstaf29 October 2016
When viewing this series I assumed that this series was only meant to be entertainment. I'm not a motorcycle historian and don't want to be. I loved the first episode and how it depicted the founders of Harley Davidson as an inventor/engineer and a salesman. Walter appeared as a "Johney come lately" who had money and family relationship. He also appears to have a practical sense of mechanical things which often is needed to balance the inventive mind with the more practical side of things. I know this from my own experience as a design engineer.
The first episode depicted Bill Harley as a main character, but the other two episodes kind of relegated him to a back seat making Walter the star. I would have preferred to see Bill brought out more throughout the series.
The third episode sort of fell on it's face at the end. It appears that the point of the series seems to be to dramatise the founding era of Harley Davidson and not the more recent events in the company's history. Be that as it may, I feel the overall series was fantastic and would like to see a similar series on the beginnings of the Ford Motor Company.
The first episode depicted Bill Harley as a main character, but the other two episodes kind of relegated him to a back seat making Walter the star. I would have preferred to see Bill brought out more throughout the series.
The third episode sort of fell on it's face at the end. It appears that the point of the series seems to be to dramatise the founding era of Harley Davidson and not the more recent events in the company's history. Be that as it may, I feel the overall series was fantastic and would like to see a similar series on the beginnings of the Ford Motor Company.
The best series for enthusiasts of the best brand in the world
germangparedes12 August 2017
Love this season; this is the feeling and soul of millions of Harley's Owners, and those enthusiasts who love this brand. Love the series, the beginnings, the creations, the races, the family, and those decisions that made & built the best motorcycles in the world... Not just only historical, but plenty of strategy, sweat and tears. It was enlightening how the way the company and the founders deal with the Indians, and the First World War. I just can't wait to see all that comes after those first years, and see the wild 60's and the critical 70's
Not perfect, but not too shabby either.
courtney_gripling278 September 2016
Watched this as my dad used to own a Harley-Davidson Sportster, and partly as I got into period dramas no thanks to my American Girl collection, but I digress. Aramayo, Huisman and company did deliver something decent to the table, but my biggest beef was that while racing was a part of the company from the get-go, it seems to be given too much of an emphasis, and yet Big Bill Davidson was, in TV Tropes parlance, demoted to an extra even though he is a key founder in his own right.
I do understand that the racing subplots, and the Davidson brothers' alcohol-fueled fists of fury were weaved in for dramatic effect, but maybe the producers could've balanced it even more. Also, the original 1936 OHV wasn't referred to by the founders as the Knucklehead early on; it wasn't until the 60s where bikers referred to the engines by the shape of the valve covers, and the founders wouldn't certainly be up to presenting a Knucklehead prototype in front of outlaw racers.
I do understand that the racing subplots, and the Davidson brothers' alcohol-fueled fists of fury were weaved in for dramatic effect, but maybe the producers could've balanced it even more. Also, the original 1936 OHV wasn't referred to by the founders as the Knucklehead early on; it wasn't until the 60s where bikers referred to the engines by the shape of the valve covers, and the founders wouldn't certainly be up to presenting a Knucklehead prototype in front of outlaw racers.
Harley and the Davidsons.....and a little bit of fibbing
MartynGryphon16 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
After all these years, I am so surprised that it took until 2016 for anyone to film a biography of Harley Davidson Motorcycles and their erstwhile founders. I was also surprised at how enjoyable it was. Especially given that I had to forget what I actually knew, as with most historical biopics these days, Harley and the Davidsons is not without its fair share of revisionism and historical inaccuracies.
The story takes us from the first time William Harley, Arthur Davidson and Walter Davidson Snr designed and built their first motorcycle in a garden shed in 1903 (something that did actually happen), to the time that Walter Davidson Snr gave their 1936 Knucklehead prototype to his son Walter Jnr to race at an outlaw bike meet, (something that almost certainly didn't).
In the interim years we're shown the lasting bond that the founders form with each other, their families and their friends as well as the enemies they make in their efforts to climb to the top of the motorcycle world.
Whilst the rivalry between Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles was certainly legendary on the track as competing manufacturers, it has been embellished way out of proportion here to show that the rivalry was personal and that Indian Motorcycles were petty and underhanded by purposely finding a patent infringement in one of William Harley's clutch designs and Sues them in order to bankrupt them. Try as I may, I have struggled to find any evidence that such a law suit or malicious attempt by Indian ever took place and this is likely something made up by the scriptwriters to add some dramatic flair, rather than have three feature length episodes just showing three blokes designing and building motorbikes.
Other historical inaccuracies include :
The design sales to the Japanese was completed as early as 1929 and not in the early 30's when the Servi-car was being designed and built.
Shrimp Burns didn't ride for Harley Davidson until after WWI and he was 20 years old rather than before the war when he was 17 as the biopic shows.
Eddie Hasha was killed in a Motordrome in New Jersey and not Milwaukee and 5 others died at the same time, (including children in the crowd).
The term 'knucklehead' was not used to describe the 1936 OHV (over head valve) model until years after it's release.
Sadly, the role of William Davidson Snr is also greatly diminished and he is shown here as more of an outsider, rather than the active contributer to the direction of the company that he was.
However, despite these 'irks' I found Harley and the Davidsons to be a very enjoyable binge watch. The acting is really good, the story, (as fictitious as it no doubt was), was enjoyable and it was great to see old model Harleys involved and in many ways it is these machines who become the stars of the show and why not? After all, the three most beautifully created things in the world are the female body, the Fender Stratocaster guitar and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. C'mon, tell me I'm wrong.
Enjoy!
The story takes us from the first time William Harley, Arthur Davidson and Walter Davidson Snr designed and built their first motorcycle in a garden shed in 1903 (something that did actually happen), to the time that Walter Davidson Snr gave their 1936 Knucklehead prototype to his son Walter Jnr to race at an outlaw bike meet, (something that almost certainly didn't).
In the interim years we're shown the lasting bond that the founders form with each other, their families and their friends as well as the enemies they make in their efforts to climb to the top of the motorcycle world.
Whilst the rivalry between Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles was certainly legendary on the track as competing manufacturers, it has been embellished way out of proportion here to show that the rivalry was personal and that Indian Motorcycles were petty and underhanded by purposely finding a patent infringement in one of William Harley's clutch designs and Sues them in order to bankrupt them. Try as I may, I have struggled to find any evidence that such a law suit or malicious attempt by Indian ever took place and this is likely something made up by the scriptwriters to add some dramatic flair, rather than have three feature length episodes just showing three blokes designing and building motorbikes.
Other historical inaccuracies include :
The design sales to the Japanese was completed as early as 1929 and not in the early 30's when the Servi-car was being designed and built.
Shrimp Burns didn't ride for Harley Davidson until after WWI and he was 20 years old rather than before the war when he was 17 as the biopic shows.
Eddie Hasha was killed in a Motordrome in New Jersey and not Milwaukee and 5 others died at the same time, (including children in the crowd).
The term 'knucklehead' was not used to describe the 1936 OHV (over head valve) model until years after it's release.
Sadly, the role of William Davidson Snr is also greatly diminished and he is shown here as more of an outsider, rather than the active contributer to the direction of the company that he was.
However, despite these 'irks' I found Harley and the Davidsons to be a very enjoyable binge watch. The acting is really good, the story, (as fictitious as it no doubt was), was enjoyable and it was great to see old model Harleys involved and in many ways it is these machines who become the stars of the show and why not? After all, the three most beautifully created things in the world are the female body, the Fender Stratocaster guitar and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. C'mon, tell me I'm wrong.
Enjoy!
Lets not quibble about the facts and just enjoy the fiction
Ed-Shullivan6 July 2019
Bill Harley, Arthur and Walter Davidson were real people who were responsible for the evolution of not only the Harley Davidson mototcycle but also were the genesis of many of the designs and motors of other motorcycle manufacturers who flourished over the past century. Both Mrs. Shullivan and I enjoyed this semi-autobiography of the Harely Davidson motorcycle manufacturers. Of course the producers took liberty with the time, dates, and sequence of some of the actual events but please remember the motorcycle, especially the Harley Davidson motorcycle(s) is a story of over half a century of engineering, evolution, business savvy, loyalty and true friendships. Try putting all that realistically into a few hours of screen time and at the same time make it as entertaining as this mini-series is.
This biography is both entertaining as well as information based even if the writers/director took liberties with actual events. Mrs. Shullivan and I quite enjoyed it. I give the mini-series a 7 out of 10 rating.
This biography is both entertaining as well as information based even if the writers/director took liberties with actual events. Mrs. Shullivan and I quite enjoyed it. I give the mini-series a 7 out of 10 rating.
THIS IS NOT HISTORY!!!!
gocarter-122 April 2018
As a motorcycle history buff this series was SO BAD I barely got through the first episode. BIG GLARING ERROR shows the third factory building of the Motor Company, not built till 1908, as the factory from the beginning. Also the same factory with the sign that says Davidson Motorcycles never existed. Hendee of Indian was not the PT Barnum of Motocycles, but a businessman from the beginning. Pretty much the only thing they got right was the names of the founders of the Motor Company.
This is one of those shows that is called BOATS: Based On A True Story(over heard in an elevator on an express run down).
This is one of those shows that is called BOATS: Based On A True Story(over heard in an elevator on an express run down).
Beer & Racing
ddecarlo-6334420 May 2018
Love the show but just cant seem to understand why they had everyone in the show drinking Budweiser a St louis beer when they were in Milwaukee the beer capital of the US at the time....... thought it would have been Schlitz Beer......????
Almost Saturday morning matinee
emuir-13 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I have just watched "Harley and the Davidsons" about the beginnings of the Harley Davidson Motor cycle company. The production values, sets, costumes, outdoor locations, and the recreations of the old motor cycles were top notch, but the overall feel of the show was of a cross between 'Dukes of Hazzard' and the Saturday morning matinee where the kiddies would be jumping up and down in their seats and slopping their ice cream at the motor cycle races. Boo the baddies, cheer for the goodies! Early Harley Davidson motor cycles substitute for the General Lee. The bad guys were stooping to every dirty trick in the book to stop Harley and the Davidsons succeeding and drive them out of business. Joe Merkel, boo. Axel Ford, boo. Eventually they were rescued in the mid 30's by the Japanese.
Overall, a feel good family friendly series with no sex, chaste kisses, no swearing, just a few villainous characters determined to spoil the party. Including a Boss Hogg parody - a fat white suited and hatted southern sheriff who contemptuously referred to the only African American character as 'boy!' (In Milwaukee?)
Judging by the amount of beer the characters consumed, I began to wonder if the financing for the miniseries had been provided by a Milwaukee brewer as they supped in every scene, especially while working on the bikes. The first two parts were excellent following the birth and growth of the company and seeing how they designed and assembled the engines. The third part got a little cartoonish descending into children's matinee territory as the young depression era enthusiasts who built their bikes from scrapped parts and held outlawed races were chased by 'Boss Hogg' and the crooked police until they finally won. References and legends hit over the head with a sledgehammer force: early in series, someone gave them a little pig as a gift - get it? the young enthusiasts were referred to as outlaws building their bikes from chopped up scrapped bikes - get it? after a violent race, the Harley team were referred to as a wrecking crew - get it?
The series ended with the introduction of the shovel head at one of the outlaw races. Whether this really happened or was for dramatic license I cannot say, other than the kids saved the day!
I would like to have seen more in the making of feature showing how the bikes used in the series were created from scratch using the original drawings, and how the sets and race tracks were built, especially the wooden track on which they raced at high and occasionally deadly speed. I can honestly say that this the first show I have watched in which more action took place in the machine shop and race track than anywhere else, and which held my attention as they ground down the metal parts and mopped up the oil.
The blue ray boxed set which came with DVD and Ultra Violet copies was well worth it.
Overall, a feel good family friendly series with no sex, chaste kisses, no swearing, just a few villainous characters determined to spoil the party. Including a Boss Hogg parody - a fat white suited and hatted southern sheriff who contemptuously referred to the only African American character as 'boy!' (In Milwaukee?)
Judging by the amount of beer the characters consumed, I began to wonder if the financing for the miniseries had been provided by a Milwaukee brewer as they supped in every scene, especially while working on the bikes. The first two parts were excellent following the birth and growth of the company and seeing how they designed and assembled the engines. The third part got a little cartoonish descending into children's matinee territory as the young depression era enthusiasts who built their bikes from scrapped parts and held outlawed races were chased by 'Boss Hogg' and the crooked police until they finally won. References and legends hit over the head with a sledgehammer force: early in series, someone gave them a little pig as a gift - get it? the young enthusiasts were referred to as outlaws building their bikes from chopped up scrapped bikes - get it? after a violent race, the Harley team were referred to as a wrecking crew - get it?
The series ended with the introduction of the shovel head at one of the outlaw races. Whether this really happened or was for dramatic license I cannot say, other than the kids saved the day!
I would like to have seen more in the making of feature showing how the bikes used in the series were created from scratch using the original drawings, and how the sets and race tracks were built, especially the wooden track on which they raced at high and occasionally deadly speed. I can honestly say that this the first show I have watched in which more action took place in the machine shop and race track than anywhere else, and which held my attention as they ground down the metal parts and mopped up the oil.
The blue ray boxed set which came with DVD and Ultra Violet copies was well worth it.
MotorPiece Theater
grizzledgeezer7 September 2016
Conflict is the essence of drama, and "Harley and the Davidsons" is "balls to the wall" conflict. Hardly one issue is (perhaps) settled before another rears its head. Every combination of "conflictors" is explored: brother/brother; father/children; mother/children; capitalists/little guys; creeps/decent folk, etc, etc, etc. It's an absolute model of a conflict-driven story that will keep the script reader turning the pages, until he or she collapses, screaming "We've got to green-light this one!".
To the extent I can unscramble things (I'm not an expert on the history of motorcycles), it seems that great liberties have been taken with the lives of Messrs. Harley and Davidson (such as introducing fictional characters and ignoring real ones (eg, Evinrude)). It's suggestive that there are separate credits for the story and the screenwriter.
The production values are impressive, and the film is first-rate eye candy, on multiple levels. The shot of Walter Davidson riding the prototype * across the green, green hills of... Romania?... is beautiful. The period costumes must have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And best of all is the recreation of early motorcycles. One can imagine -- and applaud -- the work that went into it. (Who doesn't like motorcycles?)
But the whole seems less than the sum of its parts. It just doesn't ring true. It comes off more as an example of how to write an exciting script that will get produced, than any veracious insight into what H and the Ds went through.
I'm always critical of modern films projecting modern attitudes on historical events, so I was especially annoyed when Walter said he wanted their motorcycle to project an outlaw spirit. He might very well have said that, but bikers were not seen as "outlaws" until after WWII.
----------------------------------------
After watching the appalling episode 3, I've lowered my rating from seven stars to three stars.
The episode's principal elements are Indian's lawsuit against H-D for patent infringement, and Walter's son's rebellion. Though H-D had infringed patents, they were actually Robert Keating's. (I've been unable to confirm the film's claim that Harley had neglected to patent several inventions, and another company had patented them, which Indian used to "destroy" H-D.)
Walter Jr's rebellion might have occurred, but it's recounted as if the writer is running down a checklist of how one dramatizes such things. Walter Jr joins a group of poverty-stricken bike lovers, one of whom is a young woman wearing designer rags, the other a black man. The latter appears to be in the story for political correctness, but it seems he was a real person who went on to own an H-D dealership. Of course, everything is so overblown that one doesn't know what to believe.
The capper is Mrs Harley's bone cancer. Without telling anyone why, Harley takes increasing time off from work to go on picnics with her. Of course, it all ends semi-happily when the doctor discovers she actually has a treatable non-fatal disease.
I was expecting a documentary on the history of Harley-Davidson. What I got was a hyperbolic drama with little regard for the facts. The best thing about this series is its strongly negative view of capitalists and businessmen.
* It was actually the second prototype, as the first had to be pedaled to get uphill.
To the extent I can unscramble things (I'm not an expert on the history of motorcycles), it seems that great liberties have been taken with the lives of Messrs. Harley and Davidson (such as introducing fictional characters and ignoring real ones (eg, Evinrude)). It's suggestive that there are separate credits for the story and the screenwriter.
The production values are impressive, and the film is first-rate eye candy, on multiple levels. The shot of Walter Davidson riding the prototype * across the green, green hills of... Romania?... is beautiful. The period costumes must have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And best of all is the recreation of early motorcycles. One can imagine -- and applaud -- the work that went into it. (Who doesn't like motorcycles?)
But the whole seems less than the sum of its parts. It just doesn't ring true. It comes off more as an example of how to write an exciting script that will get produced, than any veracious insight into what H and the Ds went through.
I'm always critical of modern films projecting modern attitudes on historical events, so I was especially annoyed when Walter said he wanted their motorcycle to project an outlaw spirit. He might very well have said that, but bikers were not seen as "outlaws" until after WWII.
----------------------------------------
After watching the appalling episode 3, I've lowered my rating from seven stars to three stars.
The episode's principal elements are Indian's lawsuit against H-D for patent infringement, and Walter's son's rebellion. Though H-D had infringed patents, they were actually Robert Keating's. (I've been unable to confirm the film's claim that Harley had neglected to patent several inventions, and another company had patented them, which Indian used to "destroy" H-D.)
Walter Jr's rebellion might have occurred, but it's recounted as if the writer is running down a checklist of how one dramatizes such things. Walter Jr joins a group of poverty-stricken bike lovers, one of whom is a young woman wearing designer rags, the other a black man. The latter appears to be in the story for political correctness, but it seems he was a real person who went on to own an H-D dealership. Of course, everything is so overblown that one doesn't know what to believe.
The capper is Mrs Harley's bone cancer. Without telling anyone why, Harley takes increasing time off from work to go on picnics with her. Of course, it all ends semi-happily when the doctor discovers she actually has a treatable non-fatal disease.
I was expecting a documentary on the history of Harley-Davidson. What I got was a hyperbolic drama with little regard for the facts. The best thing about this series is its strongly negative view of capitalists and businessmen.
* It was actually the second prototype, as the first had to be pedaled to get uphill.
A shark jump from episode 2 to 3
scottscientist8 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Did the makers of this mini-series only work on episodes 1 and 2? The only reason I ask this is because the 3rd installment seemingly forgets to address the cliffhanger that ends episode 2. H-D is in a damned if you do damned if you don't patent infringement case against other bike manufacturers and facing bankruptcy. However, instead of addressing how they emerged from this problem episode III starts off during the start of the Great Depression and says nary a word about the patent case. I could not find any reference to this case so it may have been made for dramatic effect but even so it should have been addressed in the story. I was also surprised that the film makers did not mention that Shrimp Burns dies in a motorcycle race. The final episode meanders through the pathos of the depression and Bill Harley's wife's illness but just can't match the feel and fun of the first two episodes that for me rank 8 and 7 out of 10 respectively.
And where was Milwaukee in all this?
richard-178730 December 2016
I don't know much about the history of motorcycles, though I did own a few when I was in my 20s. I wanted to see this movie because I grew up in Milwaukee and was hoping some effort had been made to situate the HD company in the history of the city.
There was none.
Instead, in between the clichéd melodrama - young Irish men drink and punch each other's lights out, all the while hurting the women in their lives - we got scenic views of countryside - and mountains! - that have never been found in or near Milwaukee.
I found it very suspect that there was no mention of the Harley Davidson Museum in the lengthy credits, nor of the Davidson family. How much of this movie actually has a basis in history? This movie might interest those who like early, primitive motorcycles. Other than that, I don't know whom it would appeal to.
There was none.
Instead, in between the clichéd melodrama - young Irish men drink and punch each other's lights out, all the while hurting the women in their lives - we got scenic views of countryside - and mountains! - that have never been found in or near Milwaukee.
I found it very suspect that there was no mention of the Harley Davidson Museum in the lengthy credits, nor of the Davidson family. How much of this movie actually has a basis in history? This movie might interest those who like early, primitive motorcycles. Other than that, I don't know whom it would appeal to.
Sucks diesel fumes
lauraewhite-447326 September 2016
Don't waste your time on this dreck. I'm ashamed we did. The acting, casting, writing and plot development is an embarrassment. Everyone involved in this project should just crawl under a rock. I feel like I'm watching an episode of Hogans Heroes meets Fantasy Island, except those campy TV shows were far more entertaining. The basic plot is that a bunch of anachronistically depicted young men act like caricatures and are somehow representing a historically accurate view of the inception of Harley Davidson motorcycle. This review is longer than the movie but is written better. One of the characters is about 20 years older than his peers and has hair like John Stamos. In fact he might be John Stamos' love baby with Rip Torn. My husband and I are laughing like fools writing this review which thank god is keeping our eyes off of this horrible mini series.
Another Historical Soap Opera
mrvolvo7 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
When I noticed the ads for this three-part series it looked interesting so I decided to record the episodes on my DVR so as not to miss any. I was disappointed after watching all 6 hours (including about 2-1/2 hours of commercials).
From the beginning, as one reviewer put it, it was one interpersonal conflict after another, with motorcycles sprinkled in keep the guys interested. If there had really been this much conflict throughout the early history of Harley-Davidson, their motorcycles would have been a brief footnote in history.
To add to the tension, the writer injected more conflict with H-D being sued (by Indian and others) as the result of failing to patent their designs. H-D went out of business as a result, then they were suddenly back in business with no explanation as to how that happened. I tried to research this episode in H-D history and found no mention of this. Was it a complete fabrication? The same thing came to pass when H-D was contacted by Ford to build the "Servicar" tricycles, but there is some historical record of H-D building these vehicles and in far greater numbers than the single prototype shown in the movie.
Aside from the conflict and questionable "history" of Harley-Davidson presented, the worst part for me was the "racing". It was repeatedly stated they were racing at speeds around 80 to 90 mph, yet the motorcycles in the movie were screaming around the track at a blistering 25 to 30 mph, crashing and burning all over the place. I've seen bicycle races faster than this! It was ridiculous.
From the beginning, as one reviewer put it, it was one interpersonal conflict after another, with motorcycles sprinkled in keep the guys interested. If there had really been this much conflict throughout the early history of Harley-Davidson, their motorcycles would have been a brief footnote in history.
To add to the tension, the writer injected more conflict with H-D being sued (by Indian and others) as the result of failing to patent their designs. H-D went out of business as a result, then they were suddenly back in business with no explanation as to how that happened. I tried to research this episode in H-D history and found no mention of this. Was it a complete fabrication? The same thing came to pass when H-D was contacted by Ford to build the "Servicar" tricycles, but there is some historical record of H-D building these vehicles and in far greater numbers than the single prototype shown in the movie.
Aside from the conflict and questionable "history" of Harley-Davidson presented, the worst part for me was the "racing". It was repeatedly stated they were racing at speeds around 80 to 90 mph, yet the motorcycles in the movie were screaming around the track at a blistering 25 to 30 mph, crashing and burning all over the place. I've seen bicycle races faster than this! It was ridiculous.
Where's the Bikes!!!
LawLess398 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Throughout this ... farce ... all you get are brief flashes of the bikes. The rest is nothing more than a soap opera. I'm waiting and waiting and waiting and ... no bikes! You get wall street thugs, bankers and Edsel Ford(?) ... a dead beat - thieving - son ... visits to an Asylum and the duck pond? Then there are the Davidson brothers ... sitting on their butts or doing other things, like meetings ... racing and parties. While Harley is doing all the design work? This is a tribute?
They go under, a small matter of not patenting anything? Then ... magically ... they recover? Then Ford Co. tries to drive them into bankruptcy ... why?
Somewhere in this mess, I lost the point of this series. Oh all the social 'food groups' were covered. Including the chick racer, riding what again? The outlaw groups ... really? I was expecting bikes ... HD's in particular, but it was not to be. No matter how much of my life (time) I gave up to watch this crap ... nothing. Oh a flash here ... a glimpse there. But nothing worthy of the time spend enduring the chickesque (sissy la-la) plot of this series made it worth watching.
The series 'Then Came Bronson' was a way better representation of what HD is about. The Knuckle Head was/is a beautiful machine. I deserved a lot more than it got in this series.
The commercials were better. Don't waist your time on this. If you have ... you have my condolences. If this is the best Discovery can do, then they need to stop 'doing it'. This should have started out with ... "Once upon a time ..."
They go under, a small matter of not patenting anything? Then ... magically ... they recover? Then Ford Co. tries to drive them into bankruptcy ... why?
Somewhere in this mess, I lost the point of this series. Oh all the social 'food groups' were covered. Including the chick racer, riding what again? The outlaw groups ... really? I was expecting bikes ... HD's in particular, but it was not to be. No matter how much of my life (time) I gave up to watch this crap ... nothing. Oh a flash here ... a glimpse there. But nothing worthy of the time spend enduring the chickesque (sissy la-la) plot of this series made it worth watching.
The series 'Then Came Bronson' was a way better representation of what HD is about. The Knuckle Head was/is a beautiful machine. I deserved a lot more than it got in this series.
The commercials were better. Don't waist your time on this. If you have ... you have my condolences. If this is the best Discovery can do, then they need to stop 'doing it'. This should have started out with ... "Once upon a time ..."
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