This one-off documentary by The History Channel examines four traitors who gave information to the Soviets/Russians in the 1980s. Actually, that is what the presenter says at the beginning, but "Traitors Within" actually goes further than that because one of these traitors – John Walker – turned his treachery into a family business. Walker began his graft well before the 1980s, took a hiatus, then started again with his brother and son. The other traitors herein were equally brazen.

We hear from the traitors themselves and from those who brought them to book. Walker died 3 years ago aged 77; Aldrich Ames is 76, and will die in prison. Like Walker, his actions would rightly have led to the death penalty in an earlier era.

What motivated these men? Unlike Whittaker Chambers and those who betrayed America in an earlier era, it was mostly money, but Robert Hanssen was a lot more complicated than that. He was arrested in 2001, and will never be released.

The treachery goes on; at the time of writing, the President of the United States is being accused of nothing less on the most absurd of innuendo, but no one should be surprised if Hillary Clinton and a few others near the top of the food chain are shortly indicted for financial crimes that border on treason.

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

This documentary profiles some of the most notorious spies in U.S. history--their motivations and methods, how they were caught, and the damage they did to American lives and security. Includes: the John Walker spy ring, Edward Lee Howard, Aldrich Ames, and Robert Hanssen.

Priscilla Sue Galey in Traitors Within (2002)

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Traitors Within

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