Helter Skelter: An American Myth

Pretty much anyone who was at least in their teens (or older) at the time of the Tate-LaBianca murders knows the basic facts, and knows the name Charles Manson. The murders were horrific, and the fact that some of the victims were well-known celebrities, made it front-page news across the US, and beyond. And before the crime was solved, some of the bizarre aspects of the murders had people speculating about all sorts of crazy motives. E.G. because Roman Polanski had directed the movie "Rosemary's Baby", which involves devil worship, some people made the "leap" that it must have been devil worshipers who murdered his wife and friends.

Why is this documentary different?

Firstly, it goes all the way back to Manson's early (somewhat miserable) childhood, and takes an in-depth look at his life from that point, all the way up to the point where he originally began to gather up followers, and undertake his more well-known communal lifestyle.

Secondly, it contains a considerable number of new interviews, of people who had contact with Manson and/or members of his so-called "family". And more importantly, it contains (current) interviews with a number of the women who were members of the "family" at the time of the murders. These are women who were not involved in the murders, and only became aware of them after the fact, but at the time, they were still Manson devotees, and still under his Svengali-like influence. Of course, they are all in their 50's or 60's now, and can talk about Manson with a detached perspective (and with a bit of shock at how much influence he had over them at the time, and how naïve they were, due to their age and previous dysfunctional family lives).

Lastly, it provides an in-depth look at the subsequent (absolutely crazy) trial, even including a current interview with someone who sat on the jury. It also covers the crazy things that were happening outside the courthouse, while the trial was underway.

The six-hour (six episode) documentary spends its first half just documenting the details of Manson, and the "family", before the murders occurred. It provides a more in-depth understanding of how Manson preyed upon young, disenchanted girls, and was able to sell them on his communal life style, as a means of providing them with the "family" that they had never really had before. It goes on to show how once they were under his influence, he was able to get them to do just about anything, and convince them that it was the right thing to do, be it participate in orgies, or murder innocent victims, in his attempts to foster a race-war. And it closes out by covering the arrest of the murderers, their (many months long) trial, and the aftermath.

Bottom line, the documentary manages to cover a lot of territory in its six hours, and does so with a large number of more recent "first person" accounts, instead of simply stitching together content from old headlines, or years-old books. If you are at all curious about this "dark" event in our history, and how it came about, then I think that you will find that this documentary will "hold your attention". Just be forewarned that it does contain some graphic content, and as such, it might also continue to play on your mind, long after the documentary is over.

Great documentary that really tells the full story in one series, for a 35 y/o dude. Only problem is that Episode 1 doesn't chrnologically fit & then several scenes after (incl episode 1 scenes) are replayed several times to a "T" in 1-2 min stretches & almost makes you think you selected an episode you already watched.

There is absolutely nothing new in the six part series that hasn't been rehashed ad nauseam. (I chose to give it 10 stars because the trove of TV footage, interviews, and previously unseen photos was enough to make it an intense viewing.)

Considering the glut of new information that came out in print during the 50th anniversary of the murders, I was disappointed that the series didn't probe some of the much more convincing theories.

We are left with the tired "Helter Skelter"-- a motive that has been laughed out of most investigative circles, and proven Bugliosi's "facts be damned" obsession with convicting Manson.

"Helter Skelter" will go into the history books as the accepted version of what happened in August of 1969. But for the small percentage of the population that refuse to take the media's word for it, it is not that simple. The more logical theories of drug burns and a very seedy Hollywood underbelly cannot compete with a real life boogeyman.

So Tex Watson, the man who did most of the damage, inflicted most of the stab wounds, and had a direct hand in seven murders will die in obscurity. And the victims will be remembered as wide eyed innocents, despite mountains of evidence to the contrary (Sebring and Frykowski were well known drug dealers. The Tate residence was Geound Zero for wild drug parties and pornographic films involving everyone from Mama Cass to Yuel Brenner). No one will know Jack Nickolson was among friends who removed damaging film reels in the living room loft while the bodies were still warm.

In the end, it's probably safer that we believe documentary series like "Helter Skelter". When we start peeling back the layers, the truth is far more terrifying than a 5' 2" failure and his group of degenerate hippies.

Had it not been for the Roman Polanski/celebrity slant for the mainstream media to exploit, Charles Manson and family would have been a much shorter version of 'just another '60s hippie cult' story.

Repeating detective statements and medical examiner findings just sensationalizes what happened all over again. As for Charles Manson, his parroting of the media to the media was just an attempt to keep his idea of himself alive.

Interviews weren't fresh and were subject to the editing of hindsight. Bury the bones and move on.

Six hours. Six episodes. Or, rather, take away the openings and closings of each of the six episodes and it's probably 6 x 54 mins. Call it 5 1/2 hours. The definitive Manson murders and trial film. I have not one bad thing to say about the film. I watched each episode weekly. So, maybe watching it in 2 1/2 hour blocks or so would be a different viewing experience. Each episode offers a lot to digest. I guess there's some controversy about whether the murders were committed by the Manson cult to instigate a coming race war. Whatever. Why is that important? Prosecutor and subsequent author Vincent Bugliosi correctly put the theory in front of the jury to make sure Manson was convicted, even though he obviously was absent at the time of the 7 Tate - La Bianca atrocities. (post edit) Omg. It just came into focus reading the other 2 reviews. The reason the Helter Skelter theory is dismissed is because some think the deep state pedophilia porn and drug users/dealers did it. Wow. Guessing to them, Manson, Watson, and the girls are patsies. smh.

Post post edit. It's been 9 days since I posted my review. A few things have stayed in my mind about this documentary. 1. The Dennis Wilson house takeover by the Manson clan. Wilson allowed them to move in en masse because, I guess, he liked naked girls walking about. The fact he had to sell the house and move to get rid of them from his life is interesting. But, obviously, he brought it upon himself. 2. The story by one of the Manson girls in a present day interview segment about how she wanted to have sex with Charley and he was a little rough. That was exceedingly bizarre and creepy that she felt the need to share that with us. 3. The stories first hand of how the girls were picked up by Charley one by one. All went with him gladly and stayed in his group willingly. 4. Charley learning Dale Carnegie techniques in prison seems a bit far fetched.