Manson: The Women

"Manson: The Women" (2019) lands a solid 3 stars in the galaxy of true crime documentaries, a commendable effort in a genre that's more crowded than a Manson Family reunion. The film does an admirable job at shedding light on the women of the Manson Family, showcasing their stories with the kind of detail usually reserved for Manson's more infamous, less hair-brained escapades. However, it's about as revolutionary as a spoon in a knife fight, serving up a familiar stew of archival footage and talking heads that could use a dash more spice.

The documentary's strength lies in its focus, giving voice to the women who fell under Manson's spell, which is both its charm and its curse. While it's fascinating to dive into their psyches, the narrative sometimes feels like it's on a loop, a merry-go-round that can't quite find its stop. It's a bit like listening to your uncle recount his glory days with the enthusiasm of someone who's forgotten it's not his first time telling the tale. You're engaged, sure, but you're also eyeing the exits.

In the end, "Manson: The Women" does what it sets out to do, albeit in a manner as conventional as Manson was unconventional. It's the documentary equivalent of a reliable family sedan: it'll get you where you need to go, but don't expect to turn any heads on the journey. For those steeped in Manson lore or newcomers curious about the saga's less-explored angles, it offers a solid, if not earth-shattering, viewing experience. Just maybe have a cup of coffee handy - for historical intrigue, not wakefulness.

I managed to find this on Peacock, streaming. I was a young adult in graduate school in the late 1960s yet, while I clearly remember Charlie Manson and his followers being in the news, most of what is contained in this documentary was new to me, and very captivating.

The movie "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is of course focused on Manson's "family" living at the Spaun Ranch and in that movie many of the characters, like Tex Watson, represent real people. But in Tarantino's imagination the Sharon Tate murder on August 8, 1969 turns out quite differently.

This documentary, as suggested by its title, focuses on the young women, some still teenagers, who became Manson's followers. In his 30s he had already been in prison a number of times and he had developed an approach to get these followers to trust him and when he told them a social war was beginning and they had to kill, and that guilt was a nonproductive emotion, they believed everything he told them.

The documentary uses interviews old and new, from 1969 and 1970, plus with many of the women now in their 70s. They range from those who came to grips with the Manson deceptions to those who today still believe in him. As one, "Blue", says, "You can be a murderer and still be a good person."

All in all one of the better documentaries I have watched.