Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms
| Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms | |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama, miniseries |
| Written by | Greg Haddrick Roger Simpson Jo Martino |
| Directed by | Peter Andrikidis |
| Starring | Callan Mulvey Matthew Nable Maeve Dermody Susie Porter Damian Walshe-Howling Richard Cawthorne Anthony Hayes Jeremy Lindsay Taylor Luke Hemsworth Luke Ford Fletcher Humphrys Nathaniel Dean Sam Parsonson Todd Lasance Aaron Fa'aoso Manu Bennett |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 360 minutes |
| Budget | A$6,000,000 |
| Original release | |
| Network | Network Ten |
| Release | 15 May – 19 June 2012 |
Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms is a six-part Australian drama miniseries about bikie gang violence, screened on Network Ten on 15 May 2012. Bikie Wars is based on the book Brothers in Arms by Lindsay Simpson and Sandra Harvey.[1] The screenplay was written by Greg Haddrick, Roger Simpson and Jo Martino. It is directed by Peter Andrikidis.[2] Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms cost A$6,000,000 to make.
Premise
The six-episode series dramatises the story of the Milperra massacre, when the Bandidos and the Comanchero motorcycle clubs went to war on Father's Day, Sunday 2 September 1984. The massacre had its beginnings after a group of Comancheros broke away and formed the first Bandidos Motorcycle Club chapter in Australia. This resulted in intense rivalry between the two chapters. At a public swap meet at the Viking Tavern at Milperra, New South Wales, a brief but violent battle ensued with seven people shot dead, including a 14-year-old innocent female bystander. A further 28 people were wounded with 20 requiring hospitalisation.[3]
Each episode starts with a quote stated by Justice Adrian Roden when the clubs went before the New South Wales Supreme Court; "As patriotism can lead to jingoism and mateship can lead to cronyism, so bikie club loyalty can lead to bikie club war."
Cast
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Reception
Ratings
The premiere episode won its timeslot with 1.26 million viewers based on the overnight numbers, peaking at 1.43 million viewers.[5]
Episodes
Episode One
Alone and adrift after his discharge from the Navy, Anthony Spencer discovers the seductive world of the outlaw bikie and the formidable force that is William "Jock" Ross – Supreme Commander of the Comancheros.
Episode Two
Now a fully-fledged member, Anthony "Snoddy" Spencer does his best to calm bristling egos when Mario "Chopper" Cianter, Colin "Caesar" Campbell and his brothers Gregory ("Shadow") and Phillip ("Bull") threaten to become a club within a club.
Episode Three
After splitting into two chapters, tensions with Jock's western chapter make a mockery of club loyalty. Snoddy and the city chapter reject their Comanchero colours and join the Bandidos forming the first ever chapter in Australia.
Episode Four
Hostilities between the two clubs intensify with Jock declaring war on the Bandidos. Forcing the Bandidos to retaliate.
Episode Five
Father’s Day, 1984. A swap meet at the Viking Tavern in Milperra becomes the moment of truth for both clubs as they square off in preparation of a bloody battle.
Episode Six
The confrontation at Milperra leaves six bikers and one innocent bystander dead ("Chopper" & "Shadow" of the Bandidos. "Foggy", "Leroy", "Sparra" & "Dog" of the Comanchero and 14-year-old girl Leanne Walters).
Many of the members from both clubs are imprisoned as they await trial. The stresses and guilt are too much to bare for Snoddy, he relinquishes his Presidency to "Bull" Campbell before hanging himself in his prison cell.
57 Bandidos & Comancheros are handed lengthy sentences for various convictions. Due to serious misdirections to the jury by trial judge Justice Roden, the Court of Appeal quashed the 'murder' convictions and the majority of bikers were released immediately.
Jock served a total of five years and three months for his part in the massacre. His time served was the most of anyone involved.
Music "Highway Mind"
Australian musician recorded and released the track "Highway Mind" for the soundtrack. It was released as a single on 16 May 2012. [6]
References
- ^ Harvey, S.; Simpson, L. (2001). Brothers in Arms. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781865085012. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Filming wraps on Brothers in Arms | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Cast for Ten’s bikie drama Brothers in Arms announced | The Spy Report". web.archive.org. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ a b "The Milperra Massacre | Aussie Criminals and Crooks". aussiecriminals.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "New shows score with viewers | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Highway Mind - single". iTunes. Retrieved 12 April 2016.