The Manson Family – DVD
(Unrated Version)

When it comes to the Manson murders, most people are familiar with the wildly popular 1976 TV film HELTER SKELTER (based on the Vincent Bugliosi book). HELTER SKELTER gave a rather one-sided motive for the killings based on Charles Manson's "Helter Skelter" prophecies in which The Beatles foretold of the coming race wars and Manson's attempt to 'accelerate' these wars. Unfortunately, while the film was mostly accurate (true Manson scholars can point out the errors), the "Helter Skelter" motive alone is a little sketchy at best. Other theories include: a drug-deal-gone-bad, a copycat murder to help spring family member Bobby Beausoleil from his recent murder charge, links with the Process Church, retribution for Charlie's failed music career, and even the governments MK-ULTRA project. Not satisfied with doing it once, Bugliosi re-made HELTER SKELTER in 1969 in an attempt to show how Manson converted and controlled his followers. However, this film had even more blatant errors. Both versions of HELTER SKELTER avoided showing exact depictions of the murders, using superimposed images during trial testimony (the 1976 version) and photonegative images (the 2004 version).

Which brings us to Jim VanBebber's "The Manson Family", finally available on DVD after 15-years in the making. But, the wait was more than worth it! VanBebber not only directs, but acts in the movie as well (playing Bobby Beausoleil) delivering nothing short of a masterpiece in the telling of the true story of the Manson family.

Although the film was made on a shoestring budget, it almost has a B-movie feel to it. However, the overall imagery of the film has a very '60s feel to it-in the vein of EASY RIDER or THE TRIP, which really enhances its effectiveness. VanBebber actually weaves two storylines into his film: the tale of the Family (with both '60s 'footage', newsreels and modern day confessions of Family members) and the tale of the "new" cult of Manson (showing the long-lasting effect of Manson on youth even today). Surprisingly, Charles Manson (played by Marcelo Games) has very few appearances in the overall film, which is probably a good thing. Not that Marcelo Games doesn't do a competent 'Charlie' - but it is the Manson FAMILY itself that this film explores.

VanBebber holds nothing back in the film, showing the acid trips, the orgies, psuedo crucifixions, ceremonial sacrifices of dogs, the rape of a member and of course the murders. And by the murders, I don't mean just the "Tate/LaBianca" murders - Bugliosi would have you think that those were the beginning and the end of the story. VanBebber pretty much avoids the "Helter Skelter" theory, to follow a more down-to-earth plausible one: that the murders were actually a snowballing of a couple of drug-deals-gone-bad along with 'copycat' murders to spring incarcerated Family member Bobby Beausoleil.

Much has been made of Manson's musical aspirations, and this was one part that the film didn't explore fully (IMO). There is a scene of Manson in the recording studio with Terry Melcher (along with some 'Terry Melcher' interviews). I just think this is a fascinating part of the Manson mythos that didn't get a full rendering - but to be fair, it can be considered a minor part of the big picture. Plus, this film is about the FAMILY, not just Manson. However, the film does get bonus points for its inclusion of a couple of authentic Manson recordings playing in the film: "Garbage Dump", "Cease To Exist", and "I'll Never Say Never To Always". Overall, the 'soundtrack' to the film has an odd mixture of songs (Manson songs, classical songs and instrumental rock songs), sound bites (actual Jim Jones recordings!) and sound effects (disturbing pig squeals during some of the murders). Noticeably missing are any Beatles songs, either actual Beatles songs or faux covers (like the 1976 version of HELTER SKELTER). However, during the Tate murders, there is a clip of music played which sounds remarkably like a band playing "Helter Skelter" (very close in instrumentation to the Beatles track).

The scenes of the Family, both at Spahn Ranch and in Death Valley, capture the true essence of the Family better than any film before. Especially effective (and startling) is the mock 'crucifixion' scene (Manson scholars know this was a big tool that Charlie used during acid trips). Surprisingly, this scene had one of the few disturbing images to me-the sacrifice of a dog and the drinking of its blood. In this day and age of gratuitous violence in films, the actual murder scenes didn't disturb me - I guess you put it down to being numbed by so much violence in the media.

Which brings us to another point: the murders themselves. Like I said before, the previous screen depictions of the Manson murders showed very little in the way of the actual murders. Thank god that VanBebber believes that life itself isn't just 'R-rated'. While some critics might say that the murder scenes are pure, gratuitous violence, I beg to differ. This film does NOT glorify the murders, but gives an accurate and factual depiction (as close as can be expected on this film's budget) of the murders. The murder scenes are the only places were I noticed any 'errors' of what actually happened. The Lotsa Poppa shooting has elements of the actual shooting with only a few embellishments. The Tate murders show Abigail Folger having her throat cut in the kitchen (an then walking on to the lawn unnoticed by the murderers).

As for the actors, the film makes good use of what some might call 'inexperienced' actors to still effectively put its point across. Besides, I think that the caliber of actors actual gives the film a more "authentic '60s documentary" feeling. While Marcelo Games isn't the best 'Manson' I've seen on film, he still pulls it off. And ALL of the girls give convincing portrayals of "Mansonites". The strongest actors are VanBebber himself (as 'Bobby') and Tom Burns (as 'Clem'). Burns especially captured the essence of 'Scramble-head' Clem, especially if you have seen that 1970 true-life documentary MANSON.

One thing I really like about the film (other than the true '60s feeling) is the attention to little facts and details, which Manson scholars will truly dig. I actually lost count of all of these, but here are just a few: Tex and Sadie were on methadrine (amphetamine) NOT LSD at the time of the Tate/LaBianca murders; the murders of Shorty and attorney Ronald Hughes are mentioned with accuracy; and various actual quotes by Family members are sprinkled throughout the film.

While I never really saw why the 'New Cult of Charlie' was necessary to the film, the ending finally made sense of their inclusion. While the 'New Cult' is shown sporadically through the film from sexually torture, to drug taking, preparing weapons and finally arriving at a TV studio. At the studio is TV star "Jack Wilson" (a Geraldo-like newsperson), who is making a TV documentary on Manson that the 'New cult' takes exception to. There is a quick newsreel quote of a Family member shouting the familiar, "Your children will turn against you", then the 'New Cult' breaks into the studio, shooting and then stabbing Wilson - making the words of the Mansonite 'prophetic'.

Overall, I found the film fascinating, mesmerizing AND disturbing. But that's what the whole Manson Family mythos entails. While the film sometimes borders on a B-movie classification, it does more to truly explain the Manson Family than the many higher-budget films that have come before. Truly a pop culture masterpiece!