Helter Skelter (1976) (TV)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Tom Gries

Writers:

Vincent Bugliosi (book) and
Curt Gentry (book) ...

Release Date:

1 April 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

The investigation of two horrific mass murders leads to the capture and trial of the psychotic pseudo-hippie Charles Manson and his "family".

Plot Keywords:

Trial | Murder | Manson | Charles Manson | Cult

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

George DiCenzo	...	Vincent Bugliosi
Steve Railsback	...	Charles Manson
Nancy Wolfe	...	Susan Atkins
Marilyn Burns	...	Linda Kasabian
Christina Hart	...	Patricia Krenwinkel
Cathey Paine	...	Leslie Van Houten
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Aaron Stovitz
Rudy Ramos	...	Danny DeCarlo
Sondra Blake	...	Ronnie Howard
George Garro	...	Rosner
Vic Werber	...	Lt. Brenner
Wright King	...	Friend
Jon Gries	...	William Garretson
Edward Bell	...	Sgt. Hank Kruger
Roy Jenson	...	Punchy

Also Known As:

Massacre in Hollywood (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

119 min | USA:194 min (original version) | USA:184 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:18 | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Trivia:

While the LaBianca house was used in the movie, the Tate house was not.

Goofs:

Continuity: The rope used as evidence in the courtroom is made of yellow hemp, but moments later, in the flashback scenes, it is made of white cotton fiber.

Quotes:

Charles Manson: "You beat a man with a whip... and he likes the whip... (laughs) you're just makin' a fool of yourself!"

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Asylum of Terror (1998) (V)

Soundtrack:

Long, Long, Long

The weed among the flowers

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!