Watch 'Whirlybird' Beginnings

Whirlybird is a captivating and intense documentary that chronicles the lives of Bob Tur and Marika Gerrard, a dynamic husband-and-wife team of news reporters who revolutionized the field of broadcast journalism with their groundbreaking helicopter coverage of breaking news in Los Angeles during the 1980s and '90s. The film presents a rare behind-the-scenes look at the duo's incredible story - from their humble beginnings as pilots to their meteoric rise to fame as the go-to reporters for all things newsworthy happening in the city.

Bob Tur and Marika Gerrard were just a couple of young aviation enthusiasts when they first met in flight school in the early 1970s. They quickly fell in love and started a family, but their passion for flying never faded. In the late 1970s, they stumbled upon a new genre of television news that was just beginning to gain traction - live, on-air footage from a helicopter. This proved to be the key to their eventual success.

The demand for live aerial coverage of breaking news in LA exploded in the early '80s, and Bob and Marika were there to meet it head-on. They were the first to outfit their helicopter with high-tech cameras and live broadcast equipment, allowing them to capture stunning footage of everything from high-speed car chases to natural disasters. Their nonstop coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots was especially groundbreaking, and it cemented their position as the most influential helicopter news team in the city.

But the price of success was steep. Bob's dedication to his craft turned into an obsession, and his drug addiction spiraled out of control. Marika struggled to keep their family together, while also keeping up with the intense demands of their job. All the while, they were on the frontlines of some of the most horrific tragedies in LA's history - the '84 Olympics bombing, the North Hollywood shootout, and the OJ Simpson chase, among others.

Whirlybird is a raw and emotional portrait of two people who poured everything into their careers, almost at the cost of their own lives. It's also a fascinating time capsule of an era in journalism that seems almost quaint by today's standards of 24-hour cable news and social media. The film's archival footage of LA in the '80s and '90s is stunning, and the story is expertly stitched together from a wealth of sources - home videos, news broadcasts, and contemporary interviews with Bob and Marika.

Ultimately, Whirlybird is a tribute to the power of storytelling and the tireless pursuit of truth. Even as the price of their work started to weigh heavily on them, Bob and Marika remained dedicated to their craft until the very end. The film is a moving testament to their legacy, and it's a must-watch for anyone who's ever been drawn to the adrenaline-fueled world of breaking news.