Helter Skelter

A quarter century after it was made, and over thirty years since the actual crimes took place, Helter Skelter is still a very chilling movie to watch. As stated in the on-screen introduction, the crimes would not have been believable if they were not true, and having them be the focus of a film inherently makes for a frightening tale. Told mainly from the perspective of the prosecutor, it covers events from the discovery of the victims through Manson heading off to prison. Railsback is absolutely faultless in his portrayal of Manson; the scene where he recreates Manson's speech to the courtroom is very chilling and will stay with you after the movie ends. The storyline spends perhaps a little too much time in the courtroom and maybe should have built up the events leading to the murders more, but it is still well written. Railsback is the obvious star of the film, but everyone else also does a lot better job than you'd expect for a TV-movie from 1976. Watch Helter Skelter anytime you can find it; it's a movie that teaches the lesson that truth is stranger than fiction and reality is more frightening than any Hollywood horror film.

'Helter Skelter' hasn't dated half as much as you'd expect, and remains a fascinating document. The movie (made for TV) looks at the Manson Family and the Tate/LaBianca murders mainly as a crime story, not as a sociological one. It is mainly a courtroom drama and within those limitations it is a successful one, but it's too bad that it didn't have a larger budget and more ambition.

Steve Railsback is an impressive find as Manson. He gives a chilling and accurate portrayal. Unfortunately Railsback never became the star he threatened to be, and has had a checkered career ranging the sublime ('The Stunt Man') to the ridiculous ('Barb Wire'). He has always been a talent no matter how dubious the material he has had to work with. ('Turkey Shoot' anyone?!) The rest of the cast are adequate and are largely unknowns, though horror fans will get a buzz out of Linda Kasabian being played by Marilyn Burns of Tobe Hooper's 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Eaten Alive'.

Overall an interesting look at a turbulent era. Watching 'Helter Skelter' one can't help but wonder what someone like Michael Mann (or Oliver Stone!) could do with this material, a $100 million, and an all star cast. Maybe one day...

I had to hunt through the local video stores before I found one with this film available. I remember seeing the two-part TV version, but this 119 minute video release still bothers me just the same.

Steve Railsback is as close to Charles Manson as one can get. He presents the same manic intensity in his eyes as the news photos of Manson at the time. Maybe a little TOO well...

This film is essentially two films in one. The first half details events leading up to the arrest and crimes of Manson and company, the second half details the trial (and the script is taken mostly from the actual court transcripts).

Anyone who insists that Manson was "crucified" or "framed" should examine his criminal record, and read what he has stated about Jews and blacks. Manson presented the image of a hippie messiah, but preached hatred and bigotry. This film shows him for what he was (and still is); a manipulative, violent, hate-filled man.

Remember that this is the man who once said: "Maybe I should have killed four or five hundred people...then I would have felt better. Then I would have felt I really offered society something."

God bless you, Vincent Bugliosi. You did us all a favor!

I am appalled to read that there are imdb.com members who actually think that Charles Manson and his "Family" were prosecuted because he was a hippie or a flower-child. He was neither. He is neither to this day. Have any of these idiots seen the TV interviews with Manson (by Diane Sawyer, I think) a while back? It would creep you out, as it shows how completely mad he is, to this very day. And his anger is creepy, too, and I thought he was going to physically harm the female interviewer at one point. When told of some of the things that the now older and wiser "family members" said of him (that he asked them to kill for him, that he instructed them in detail, and that they no longer have any regard for him), he just laughed and derided them as getting to be "old broads". This is a flower child?

I've done enough reading of various books and articles about Manson. He was the product of our institutions -- the one point on which he is correct. From childhood on, he never lived a normal life, always an institutionalized life. Then he took on this Messiah persona to impress the only people who were impressed by him -- young teenaged girls or other young women from homes where they felt unwanted. He literally rented them out as sexual favors to his biker pals, whom he was trying to impress and keep on his side. This was a flower child? Hardly! He has, and still has, a twisted but skillful mind.

As for the stupid premise that Buguliosi "framed him", have these people who write such nonsense read his book? Buguliosi documented, and this was affirmed in such books as "The Family", that Manson actually liked his prosecutor and respected him, and said so, even though there is good evidence that he wanted him dead. Like I say, Manson is a twisted person.

This TV movie is good drama, and totally accurate. Unlike others, I would like to see it redone for the big screen. I think the entire story of Manson's life and of his "family" and what they did to others at the Spahn Ranch before the murders of Sharon Tate and the others, needs to be told. Maybe bring people up to date with interviews with this monster on TV. No, not Oliver Stone! But to tell it somewhat in the way "In Cold Blood" was transferred from book to movie.

I expect to get nasty, threatening replies from Charlie's idiot disciples. That's right, you are all whacked-out idiots for thinking that he is anything but a monster.

After almost 25 years, this is still the definitive movie about the Manson murders (the only one, really) and it's still an interesting and at times downright disturbing experience.

Those of us who've devoured just about every scrap of literature about the case may find minor factual points & omissions over which to quibble, but in the end, "Helter Skelter" nicely sums it up in one big lump.

Steve Railsback is letter-perfect as Charlie Manson, and there are moments here that make the viewer wonder if the actor descended just a bit too far into the psyche of the "hippie death cult" leader. No matter, he steals every scene he's in.

Most of the other actors are capable enough, although the actresses portraying Patricia Krenwinkel & Leslie Van Houten leave a lot to be desired. Nancy Wolfe (Susan Atkins) & Jason Ronard (Paul Watkins) both deserve kudos for their performances, & lead actor George DiCenzo (Vincent Bugliosi) throws himself into his role with gusto.

This being a TV-movie from 1976, things get a bit wooden at times, & the law-and-order angle is played to the hilt (the courtroom sequences are great), which may well leave you wondering how various contemporary directors might fare with this saga.

Sublime trivia note: Nancy Burns, who plays "little hippie girl" Linda Kasabian was the lead actress in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" ... the girl that Leatherface chases off into the sunset. Amazing.