Brothers in Arms (also known as Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms) is an Australian drama miniseries based on the book Brothers in Arms by Lindsay Simpson and Sandra Harvey and written by Greg Haddrick, Roger Simpson and Jo Martino which 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 series aired in Australia on Network Ten from 15 May to 19 June, 2012. There are six hour-long episodes in the series.
Brothers in Arms premiered in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Movies Premiere channel (simulcast in HD) on Thursday 5 September 2013, at 20h30. New episodes broadcast in a double bill, weekly.
Synopsis
In the 1970s and early 80s, the outlaw bikie scene was in its fledgling days. More wild west than organised crime, the Comancheros vied with many other motorcycle gangs for territory.
As the tribes fought, the Comancheros were also fighting their own internal battle, with the Supreme Commander, Jock Ross, recruiting men to his club with the purpose of being the one dominant motorcycle gang in Sydney and eventually Australia.
Not everyone agreed with his tactics.
When the men challenged him, Jock split the club in what was a betrayal of his most loyal acolyte, Anthony "Snoddy" Spencer. With this act, Jock Ross misjudged the feelings of his men. Instead of staying with him, the majority mutinied, sticking with Snoddy who formed the Bandidos. And the seeds for Milperra were sown.
With powerful forces within each of the rival clubs demanding retribution, a series of tit-for-tat attacks led to war being declared.
The winner would take all from the final battlefield that was to be the bikie swap meet at the Viking Tavern in Milperra on Fathers Day 1984.
Presented by Network Ten and Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW, Brothers in Arms is a Screentime Production. The executive producers were Des Monaghan and Greg Haddrick, with Claire Tonkin and Rick Maier.