trishaade "Helter Skelter" is not billed as a horror movie, but it's been my experience that some stories and films about real people can be just as terrifying, if not more so, than a monster movie. This one is a case in point.The time was the 1960's, the era of free love, drugs, discontented youth, political unrest and protests. Kids felt like they could change the world, and many rebelled against everything their parents held dear. Thousands of young people migrated to Haight-Ashbury to join in on the fun. Gurus abounded and anyone who owned a guitar and could talk the talk had a leg up on those who didn't.Enter Charles Manson, a 32 year old who was a long term convict and had just been released from prison. He gravitated to Haight-Ashbury with his guitar and over a period of time, was able to recruit young people to join his commune which he later termed his "family". There was a catch though - you couldn't join if Charlie didn't want you. The reason? Charlie was looking for people he could easily manipulate. He'd learned to be quite the chameleon in prison, and was able to tell each one of his damaged followers exactly what they wanted and needed to hear resulting in their absolute devotion and his absolute control. A career criminal, as astounding as it sounds, was able to convince these people through manipulation, sex and drugs that he was indeed Jesus Christ and that they were his "chosen". This ultimately led to the murders of Sharon Tate and her unborn child, Abigail Folger, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowsk, Steven Parent and Leo and Rosemary LaBianca, among others.The movie closely follows the book written by Vincent Bugliosi, the lead prosecutor during the resulting murder trial of Manson and three of the four other participants. What makes this movie so scary? It's not just the story of manipulation, mind control and murder that makes it so frightening, but coming to the understanding that these people had absolutely no remorse for what they did and would have gladly done it again if Charlie asked them to. Listening to Susan Atkins' grand jury testimony about killing Sharon Tate in graphic detail like it was no bigger of a deal than going grocery shopping is quite chilling. And finally, understanding that this is a true story, not fiction, and at any given time or place another Charlie might be lurking in the shadows.This movie would have failed miserably if it was poorly acted or hammy - it wasn't. All of the actors were quite convincing. Casting Steve Railsback as Manson was pure genius as far as I'm concerned. This is by far the best Manson movie out there. If you are into true crime, this movie should definitely be on your watch list. A perfect example of the truth being stranger than fiction.

dougdoepke Fascinating film about crimes that gripped the nation in 1969. Had the first victims not included Hollywood celebrities, I doubt the sensationalism would have been so pervasive. Nonetheless, the state's account is told in painstakingly detailed fashion, while it's a tribute to the filmmakers that not even the many lawyerly conflabs manage to pall. Of course, there were social-political agendas at stake at the time. Many folks saw the Manson murders as logical outcome of an undisciplined, hedonistic hippie movement. After all, what else could be expected of rootless sex-happy druggies. On the other hand, counterculture folks did their best to disassociate a lunatic Manson and his witless followers from movement principles. The movie essentially presents the case from prosecutor Bugliosi's point of view, but is wisely careful not to indict the counterculture as a whole. Railsback plays the bearded lunatic with wild-eyed abandon—how much is true to life and how much caricature is open to speculation. Most unnerving to me, however, is Nancy Wolfe as Susan Atkins. Her need to believe in a leader-type, any leader who pays her attention, suggests an undercurrent more alarming than Charlie himself. Then too, Wolfe plays Atkins with effective and understated malign. On the other hand, DiCenzo's prosecuting attorney is clearly the hero. Wisely, Bugliosi comes across as a consummate professional, without swagger or ego. Thus the contrast with Manson is striking, leaving no doubts about the trial's outcome. Note too, how police bureaucracy mishandles the Tate murder weapon, making prosecution more difficult, a good touch to include. Too bad, however, that Manson's charismatic side is not included. For example a scene that shows how he was able to emotionally seduce his followers. As things stand, we get the dramatic effects without the seductive cause.On the whole, the long version, 180-minutes, is slickly done, especially for a TV movie. Now that 50-years have passed, most Americans have no living memory of what a splash the freighted crimes made. In that sense, the movie—for better or worse-- amounts to an entertaining visual record.

ShelbyTMItchell Really it is a shame that Steve Railsback got typecast due to this role. As he was really good in it. And that he really should had gone onto bigger things. Had he not been typecast by Hollywood.But nonetheless he does a great job. As he plays the maniac Manson. Who used young kids to do his killing as he was the mastermind of it all. And that these young kids fell into such a huge trap over his antics and manipulation.The DA played by the late George DiCenzo who wrote the book, of the same name. Does everything he could and will, to bring Manson and his so- called "followers" to justice. At any and all costs. He does have a soul and care about the victims and families.Mansion was and still is a sick puppy. As he was sentenced to death originally but then, got it commuted to life and he has been up for parole and denied each and every time. As he will never, ever get out no matter what on a post note.

perjensen-2 Simply said, the 1976 version of "Helter Skelter" is incontestably one of the best docudrama's ever made. Not only does it stick close enough to the book that it renders reading it merely a plus, but the locations, clothes, set design, language, and haunting soundtrack topped off with Steve Railsback portraying Manson is so 'real' that one wonders if newsreels were used to duplicate it all. Railsback particularly was so good that it borders on the surreal. His 'look', hair, tone of voice, body shape, height, even the eerie shine in his eyes - so close to Charlie that when you see Railsback in other roles you probably won't recognize him. But virtually everyone did a terrific job at recreating the characters, such as Nancy Wolfe as Susan Atkins and Marilyn Burns as Linda Kasabian. So even if this movie is 3 hours long it doesn't matter. It keeps your attention from start to finish. It portrays the impact of such a bizarre murder case better than any movie can possibly do. However, a note of interest is the film gives a better understanding of how Vincent Bugliosi handled such a difficult case. It also gives a much closer look at various conspirators, such as Susan Atkins and Leslie Van Houten. Just as surprising, much of the dialogue in grand jury, court, and interview scenes are taken directly from official transcripts. Altogether, "Helter Skelter" is the book come to life. It's a frightening but accurate film that captures the story as well as can be done. If you are a movie buff, then this belongs in your collection.