“The Invisible Pilot”: all the details of the HBO Max documentary series

Available from April 4 on HBO Max, the documentary series is made by Emmy-winning filmmakers Phil Lott and Ari Mark. T he invisible pilot is divided into three parts about a labyrinthine story full of secrets that begins in Hazen, Arkansas and ends in one of the biggest political scandals of our time. The series is produced by Adam McKay (Succession and Lakers: Winning Time).

In 1977, Gary Betzner jumped off a bridge while his wife and daughter were in the car. The production released a chilling official synopsis: “The life of a charismatic and reckless husband and father who unexpectedly jumped off a bridge in 1977, despite leading a seemingly happy family life and a lucrative racing career.” What led this man to take his own life? The series investigates not only the causes of the event, but the search for Betzner's body.

After years of the vain search for her body by her community located in a small town in Arkansas, and as family and friends inquire for answers, a mysterious story emerges that involves hypnosis, secret identities and a double life of dangerous missions and the handling of them outside the law.

With a large amount of color footage, the series moves very well between all the intrigues of the series. The narrative line advances with the voices of its close ones. It ranges from his wife, friends, family, his feelings and how this event shocked society and the press. The Invisible Pilot also works as a story with a strong message about the double life of an agent, living on the edge and how, however well organized you are with a parallel life, the collapse comes sooner or later.

The first episode goes into detail about Betzner's complex life and his political involvement in Arkansas, especially when it comes to drugs. He also addresses his story about his children: he was the “Disneyland dad” for Polly, who only saw him occasionally because they lived in different states. When the documentary progresses, the first major intrigue of the series enters.

The invisible pilot premiered on Monday, April 4, and has new episodes every Monday. The series is from HBO and can be seen on HBO Max.