Gangland is a documentary television series from the History Channel. The series details different aspects of the criminal world -- specifically gangs. It provides insight to this dark underworld by including interviews with former gang members, police investigators, judges, lawyers, and other experts on the subject matter. The experts discuss the gangs, which may include history, modus operandi, notable crimes, brutal killings/murders, gang loyalty, influences on local communities, and so on. If you have ever wanted to know more about the dark world of gangs, then Gangland will give you just that. It is an informative, insightful, and interesting documentary series.

In Gangland's first season, there are thirteen TV-hour long episodes. This season covers a variety of different gangs from the past to the present. Most episodes offer information about the gang's history, rise to power, culture, and different criminal activities involved with. Select episodes focus on specific individuals or themes. For instance, season one's first episode "American Gangster" details the rise to power of two Harlem gangsters, Nicky Barnes and Frank Lucas. Barnes and Lucas became major players in the criminal underworld in the 1970s. Their brutal and steadfast tactics led them to controlling the Harlem drug trade. This episode includes historical details about their rise to power, as well as interviews with Barnes and Lucas. It is an interesting account.

In season one's second episode "You Rat, You Die", a slightly different approach is taken. This episode focuses on the Los Angeles-based Hispanic gang MS-13. MS-13 started in the 1980s and has expanded throughout the Americas. Its persons are involved in drug trafficking, arms trafficking, murder, theft, and just about everything else under the sun. This episode provides an account about their history, as well as some of the inner-workings. This fact is highlighted with a sad story of one who turned against them, which resulted in her death. As the season continues, Gangland's first season provides accounts for Mexican Mafia, Hells Angels, Surenos, Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, Black P. Stones, White Supremacist gangs, Gangster Disciples, Nuestra Familia, gangs in the military (very intriguing subject), United Blood Nation, and MS-13 (again).

Overall, Gangland is a solid documentary series. The level of detail provided is insightful and informative. What makes the series strong is its presentation. The information is provided in a manner that makes it come off entertaining versus boring or dull. The discussions with former gang members, law enforcement officials, and other related experts make for interesting dialogue as they give personal accounts and experiences (such as the undercover ATF agent in "Behind Enemy Lines"). Another good aspect is the show's ability to include specific stories (e.g., crimes, personal experiences, etc.) and how they relate to the gang's culture. In short, Gangland is a worthwhile experience and will be appreciated by viewers who are interested in the subject matter.

Episode Guide

1. American Gangster: Harlem of the 1970s is home to two rival heroin gangs and the men behind them.
2. You Rat, You Die: A teenaged, pregnant member of MS-13 supplied authorities with gang information and suffered the consequences: a brutal death at the hands of the gang.
3. Code of Conduct: In LA County, 300 killings a year are connected to the Mexican Mafia, which now controls more than 50,000 "foot soldiers" on the streets of southern California.
4. Behind Enemy Lines: Go undercover as a team of agents infiltrates the Hells Angels--the most powerful and infamous biker club on the planet.
5. Race Wars: In 2007, Harbor Gateway in LA was witness to the death of a 14-year-old girl--a victim of ethnic cleansing--in what has become a race war between Latinos and African-Americans.
6. Rings of New York: King Blood, the leader of the most violent street gang ever seen in New York City, was responsible for at least eight murders, one of them entailing decapitation and dismemberment.
7. Stone to the Bone: Chicago's Almighty Black P. Stones shares the brutal qualities of many gangs, but it also has its own claim to fame: it is classified as a "terrorist threat."
8. Hate Nation: In 2001, the leader of a racist Skinhead group killed two men in cold blood. Their "crime?" Belief that all people are created equal.
9. Gangster City: In the 1990s, Chicago's gang violence spikes as three students from a single elementary school are skilled in a seven-month period.
10. Blood In, Blood Out: La Neustra Familia is one of the most violent of all West Coast gangs, with a formal written constitution, a large prison membership, and a terrifying ethic of discipline and fear.
11. Basic Training: Gang members are now joining the military for weapons and explosives training. Once discharged, they use their expertise against law enforcement officials and rival gangs.
12. Blood Oath: Racism is an ugly factor in gang violence as the African-American United Blood Nation wrests control of the New York Metro area from the Latin Kings.
13. Root of All Evil: The 100,000-member MS-13 is the most dangerous gang in America and has now spread its reign of terror to the place where its founding members felt most at home... Central America.

The DVD

Video:
The video is presented in 1.78 ratio widescreen letterbox format. The picture quality is good. It has a slight grain, which is more noticeable on large television sets, but detail is still pretty sharp and clear.

Audio:
The audio is given in English 2.0 Dolby digital stereo sound. The audio track is very simple and plain sounding. Dialogue is easily heard throughout the episodes. There is no support for subtitles or closed captioning.

Extras:
Additional footage (16:15) is included. The bonus footage addresses topics that include becoming a gang member, gang tattoos: Latin Kings, handmade weapons, marking their turf, role models, hierarchy, indicators of gang affiliation, nicknames, family, leaving a gang, and joining a gang.

Final Thoughts:
Gangland is a documentary television series from the History Channel that details the inner-workings, history, and personal accounts with gang life. The series provides an insightful and informative perspective of this aspect of the criminal underworld. For those who are interested in learning more about gangs, this first season DVD set will serve you well. It comes recommended.