Hangar 1: The UFO Files

Without any doubt this is not a scientific or educational program, it's infotainment. and that's okay. as always you have to extract useful and well researched data from data implemented for entertainment reasons. HANGAR 1 - allegedly derived from "the" MUFON archives - is far better than most of the other documentaries about the huge topic "UFOs", paranormal events and high strangeness for it shows some not so well known examples of unsolved and mostly very interesting events. MUFON in my humble opinion is, after all, far more credible than most of the other investigation organizations. that's why i seriously wondered why they agreed to be used as host for the series. the European section MUFON-CES would never act in such a self-destructive way, i guess.

Because... of course: shows like HANGAR 1 are first and foremost fun and entertainment. many people - like myself - who personally witnessed UFOs or other enigmatic phenomena and who dug deeper will know how to separate nonsense from facts but will have primarily fun watching the whole shebang. on the other hand, hardcore skepticists and professional debunks will never give any credibility to the show and its topics. so it's always praying in your own church. watch it, keep an open mind and, most of all, stop believing (in UFO-buffs AND debunks!).

MUFON is squandering it's credibility with this less than satisfying series, Hangar 1, which revisits MUFON cases.

MUFON is a beacon of reason in a sea of anarchy as it seeks to bring a level of science and expertise into the research of cases it deems extraordinary and compelling. Within these selected cases, out of literally tens of thousands, it would seem there should be some real jewels. And there are some very credible cases of high-strangeness witnessed by solid folks involving sightings of UFOs. So why does Hangar 1 fall flat, even to the point of reducing MUFON to a level of "nothing here to see, move along"? It's in the overly dramatic highly artificially staged reproductions that only uses MUFON's stock talking heads to anchor. Many of these cases are recent enough that the folks who experienced these cases should be the ones augmenting the re-enactments. This would add something more interesting that the talking heads standard "wow" comments ad-infinitum. There are some cases that beg photographic evidence as were told physical evidence was noted. Few, if any, episodes have any physical evidence rolled out though. Why? The people aren't in hiding since they are the ones who began the case process by contacting MUFON so it follows they show should seek the actual witnesses...which this show does not. Many cases are left without all of the story too making one wanting something more.

The idea of raiding MUFON for the best cases is a good one. Many of the cases are quite good. It's the re-telling and re-enactments of the cases that falls flat. No actual witnesses, no actual pictures when there is claimed actual physical evidence, and the absolutely wasting of valuable story time re-capping what we already have watched (this is the post commercial break formula History is, apparently, making all of their producers adhering to which makes the 20+ minutes of commercials even more insulting). This series needs a serious re-boot! I think MUFON has some great cases and the current formula just doesn't serve the cases well at all. I'm not saying the show needs to be canned, nope, just totally re-envisioned and done in a much more evidence based method just as MUFON purports to implement in the actual investigations they conduct.

Well,I read somewhere that the producers wanted to re-work the show, "We can do better" was one thing I heard... Well, do it! There are people that would like to see the show come back. I just don't get why Ancient Aliens show is still on the air... But this show isn't coming back? Is there no more cases to tell us about? Have the UFOs stopped coming around? Or did the powers that be put a stop to the show like they did to Dan Ackroyd's Show even before it aired.

This series, though a bit over dramatized, are files from MUFON (a legit organization) brought forth for exploration and critical thinking.

The information brought forward, such as particular events, are fact, not conjecture, backed up from key witnesses that have come forward.

What I am surprised with however is, why they haven't brought Dr. Steven Greer into the mix with his 100's of top secret military govt. witnesses that have already come forward and their stories. Another point that is a negative in my opinion, is painting the ET's in an "aggressive" manner in one of the episodes and not telling the whole story (selective agenda), which is disappointing for MUFON, which is a respected organization. They may have had their hands tied by the History channel for propaganda effect...who knows.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend this series, for the knowledge/events brought forth. But if you want some real eye opening info, google disclosure project with Greer and follow the websites/rabbit hole.

I've just finished watching the first four episodes of Season 2 of this show and I'm very disappointed.

Each episode consists almost entirely of 'recreations' of actual MUFON case files. Interspersed between the chunks of dramatisation, and overdone shots of technicians and researchers fiddling with computers and moving boxes of files around, MUFON members and guests provide sparse commentary along with the '2 packs a day' narrator. It wasn't until episode 4 that any real video footage and audio supporting assertions made was to be seen.

To further frustrate viewers, each episode is padded with completely useless repetition of 'bullet points' for what has already been discussed after each commercial break, just in case you've forgotten...

Strip out all the chaff and I guess you're left with about 10-15 minutes of 'real information' in a 42 minute program. Not a very good average for anyone with a brain trying to digest it.

I doubt I'd be able to bear to sit through any further episodes. The whole format is just so dumbed down, riddled with inconsistencies, and ultimately confusing. I say confusing because no clarification is given as to whether you are watching recreations or actual documentary evidence. Oftentimes the 3rd rate CGI is a giveaway.

At least the 1970s series 'In Search Of...' had the good grace to warn viewers that what they were about to watch is largely conjectural. It's a travesty that the History Channel can't provide the same assurances. It leaves the content of the show vapid and hollow.