The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter

As someone with a slight knowledge of the actual details of the Tate/LaBianca murders, there is much to learn from this documentary. And the writer and narrator have apparently studied the events and those involved quite thoroughly. In fact they almost provide more background on the murder victims than Manson and his "family." Some of it seems non essential so you must have patience for the actual murder events to properly unfold. Also, as was said by another reviewer, the very beginning seems to be nothing more than an opportunity for the narrator to sell his tour business and himself. Throughout the rest he guides us to various locations in California in relation to Manson and the murders, during which he provides a substantial amount of anecdotal, personal commentary. Luckily for him he is amiable enough but i did find myself wishing for a more properly produced documentary for which the budget obviously would not allow. Or maybe it was intentionally written that way. Regardless, there were plenty of genuinely creepy moments on location and enough information to keep me interested.

If you're expecting a movie, I wouldn't say you found the right film. This is more of a documentary. I liked this a lot because I learned some stuff that I didn't know. Of course, I'd like to verify the things I've learned just in case they're not 100% spot on. But it is entertaining and educational nonetheless. The Manson Murders have fascinated me ever since I started to learn, and the book shown inside the film, titled 'Helter Skelter', is a book I am looking forward to purchasing. I give this film a 7 because I learned from it and absorbed information from it, but I couldn't give it a 9 or a 10 because at times it felt a little too slow pace. But that's just me. I would have liked to see more Charles Manson, but others, like yourselves, might not want to. If not, this is your film. Again, pretty good film. Not the best, not the worst. Good.Educational.

This is a documentary about the Charles Manson murders, but also about the hobbies of the man who is obsessed with celebrity deaths. The Manson family is covered, as are many, many others topics that may be of interest to Manson scholars.

opens with a disclaimer saying that there are so many different theories that some people will find something about this film they disagree with. As I entered into the film looking for flaws, that struck me a bit personally. Though, it did not stop me from looking for flaws.

The film is different from other documentaries -- it actually spends little time on Manson at all, focusing more on the victims and the various houses they lived in and places they worked. There is some interesting background on Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski. Many other tangential connections... but if you have read as much Manson material as I have, this is actually quite a treat.

If you haven't heard Manson's music, you should. "Cease to Exist" is featured in this film, which went on to be a Beach Boys tune. No aspect of the crimes or lives of those involved goes uncovered. Even Jack Nicholson and the movie "Grease" somehow get tied in.

I absolutely, positively recommend this film to anyone who has an interest in Charles Manson. I think I know a lot more than the average person about the crimes, but this documentary still keyed me in to things I could never have discovered otherwise.

You might expect SIX DEGREES OF HELTER SKELTER to be another bland rehash of the facts, dates, and events of the Manson Family murders. Instead, it's a fresh, insightful documentary full of interesting history, as well as some fascinatingly bizarre, coincidental details and odd minutia.

If you're intrigued by The Family and their exploits, then you'll want to add this to your information stockpile...

This is a very engaging, well-researched documentary that details a great many additions to the Tate/LaBianca murders that were never made public. Mr. Dorsey is a likable, enthusiastic host throughout the film, who clearly has an obsession with Hollywood trivia. Despite his legal troubles, I've always considered Roman Polanski to be one of the world's best and original directors, and the film gave me a little more depth into his life and what he must have gone through during this horrific period. The doc appears to be shot on video, and I'd never heard of it until now; am curious if Mr. Dorsey managed to make a profit off of it, as it looks as though he put a great deal of work into its production. It's chilling at times and a little on the black/ghoulish side, but a bit like driving by a car wreck... you want to, but you can't look away. Manson and his followers were clearly very sick individuals who created a great deal of destruction besides just the Tate/LaBianca killings; this is an excellent documentary that explains that in a lot more detail.