BUT somehow doesn't capture the true horror of the Tate-LaBianca murders by the Manson family in August 1969.And if the viewer doesn't have a basic interest and knowledge of the whole Manson era I'm not sure this film would be that entertaining at all.
The film is mostly shown as flashbacks in interviews with the characters who are playing the older imprisoned family members.We see the drug and sex orgies that the family held before Charlie turned them on to murdering rich "piggies".We see the Family at the old Spahn ranch living with the blind owner of the ranch where many episodes of TV westerns were filmed.We see lots of boobies on pretty young women as they romp in the fields but most of the real Manson chicks weren't so hot looking.Finally we see them go out and murder.But what we never see the the real horror of the murders and the fear the murders generated in Los Angeles and the country.
This story of murder and mayhem has about as much emotion evoking power as a documentary on bee keeping or guitar making.You keep waiting for the the movie to show you the true freakiness of Manson and the others and it never does.I suppose this film is interesting enough if you have an interest in the whole Manson trip but other wise it plays much like any routine murder movie but the Tate-LaBianca murders were anything but routine and this film doesn't make you see that.
For a real feel for the murders read the great book by the man who prosecuted the Manson gang,Vincent Bugliosi.He and Curt Gentrys book,"Helter Skelter" will not only tell you the true story of Charles Manson and his family,it will scare the hell out of you.
The film is mostly shown as flashbacks in interviews with the characters who are playing the older imprisoned family members.We see the drug and sex orgies that the family held before Charlie turned them on to murdering rich "piggies".We see the Family at the old Spahn ranch living with the blind owner of the ranch where many episodes of TV westerns were filmed.We see lots of boobies on pretty young women as they romp in the fields but most of the real Manson chicks weren't so hot looking.Finally we see them go out and murder.But what we never see the the real horror of the murders and the fear the murders generated in Los Angeles and the country.
This story of murder and mayhem has about as much emotion evoking power as a documentary on bee keeping or guitar making.You keep waiting for the the movie to show you the true freakiness of Manson and the others and it never does.I suppose this film is interesting enough if you have an interest in the whole Manson trip but other wise it plays much like any routine murder movie but the Tate-LaBianca murders were anything but routine and this film doesn't make you see that.
For a real feel for the murders read the great book by the man who prosecuted the Manson gang,Vincent Bugliosi.He and Curt Gentrys book,"Helter Skelter" will not only tell you the true story of Charles Manson and his family,it will scare the hell out of you.