7.4/10
2,558
57 user 11 critic

Helter Skelter (1976)

Unrated | | Crime, Drama, Thriller | TV Movie 1 April 1976
The investigation and trial of the horrific Tate-LaBianca mass murders orchestrated by the psychotic pseudo-hippie cult leader, Charles Manson.

Director:

Writers:

(based on the book by), (based on the book by) | 1 more credit »
Reviews
Popularity
3,388 ( 2,467)

On Disc

at Amazon

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 1 nomination. See more awards »
Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

Helter Skelter (TV Movie 2004)
Action | Crime | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.5/10 X  

A new take on the Manson Family murders, with a keen focus on Charles Manson himself.

Director: John Gray
Stars: Jeremy Davies, Clea DuVall, Allison Smith
Manson (1973)
Documentary | Biography | Crime
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X  

Documentary on Charles Manson and his family. Has a number of insightful interviews with many family members most notably Squeaky and Sandy (Blue and Red). There is also a history of Manson... See full summary »

Directors: Robert Hendrickson, Laurence Merrick
Stars: Mary Brunner, Vincent Bugliosi, Bruce Davis
Documentary | Crime
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.4/10 X  

"The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter" walks in the footsteps of the Manson Family, visiting over 40 locations related to the infamous Tate/LaBianca murders, and tying together the dozens of ... See full summary »

Director: Michael Dorsey
Stars: Ron Hale, Craig Harvey, Nikki Medlin
Crime | Drama | History
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.5/10 X  

A dramatization of the horrific and notorious Manson Family Murders, in the form of super 8 home movies.

Director: Jim Van Bebber
Stars: Marcelo Games, Marc Pitman, Leslie Orr
The Deliberate Stranger (TV Movie 1986)
Crime | Drama | Thriller
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X  

Based on a true story, this film depicts the life of Theodore Robert Bundy, the serial killer. In 1974, after having murdered several young women, he leaves Seattle for Utah, where he is a ... See full summary »

Director: Marvin J. Chomsky
Stars: Mark Harmon, Frederic Forrest, George Grizzard
Documentary | Biography | Crime
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X  

For forty years, Charles Manson has survived most of his life in what he calls 'the hallways of the all ways,' the reform schools, jails and prisons that have been his home and tomb. His ... See full summary »

Director: Nikolas Schreck
Stars: Charles Manson, Nikolas Schreck, Zeena Schreck
Manson Family Movies (Video 1984)
Horror
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4.8/10 X  

In response to the legend that the "Manson Family" may have filmed themselves in some of theirs exploits, this film is a re-creation as to what a film of their may have been like. The film,... See full summary »

Director: John Aes-Nihil
Stars: Rick the Precious Dove, John Aes-Nihil, Katie Lazarus
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X  

Betty Broderick stands trial for shooting her ex husband and his new bride.

Director: Dick Lowry
Stars: Meredith Baxter, Judith Ivey, Ray Baker
The Legend of Lizzie Borden (TV Movie 1975)
Drama | History | Mystery
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X  

A dramatization of the famous 1893 Massachusetts trial of the woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an ax.

Director: Paul Wendkos
Stars: Elizabeth Montgomery, Fionnula Flanagan, Ed Flanders
Manson (TV Movie 2009)
Documentary | Crime | History
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X  

Follows Charles Manson's 'Family' member Linda Kasabian, and her story to what when on at Spahn's Movie Ranch and the final days leading up to the grisly 1969 Tate/La Bianca murders.

Director: Neil Rawles
Stars: Ryan Blakely, Meredith Cheesbrough, Sascha Cole
Comedy | Fantasy | Romance
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.8/10 X  

A radio 'detective' gets involved with a wealthy socialite who can't seem to stop hiccuping due to the machinations of a ghostly cupid who works his magic to cause mayhem and laughter throughout the film.

Director: Ralph Thomas
Stars: Carol Marsh, David Tomlinson, Mervyn Johns
Fatal Vision (TV Series 1984)
Crime | Drama | Thriller
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X  

A retiree spends nine years relentlessly seeking to prove that his son-in-law, a former Green Beret Army doctor, murdered his pregnant wife and two children.

Stars: Karl Malden, Eva Marie Saint, Barry Newman
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Christina Hart ...
Cathey Paine ...
...
Aaron Stovitz
...
...
Ronnie Howard
George Garro ...
Rosner
Vic Werber ...
Lt. Brenner
Wright King ...
Friend
...
William Garretson
Edward Bell ...
Sgt. Hank Kruger
...
Punchy
Edit

Storyline

Chilling story of the investigation and trial of Charles Manson, leader of a strange cult which under his direction and 'control' committed numerous murders. Written by Jerry Milani <jmilani@ix.netcom.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

His name is Charles Manson. His disciples call him God. HE PREACHED DEATH!

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Certificate:

Unrated | See all certifications »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

1 April 1976 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Massacre in Hollywood  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (original) | (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Much of the dialogue used in the courtroom scenes was taken directly from court transcripts. See more »

Goofs

The Tate/LaBianca homicides took place in 1969. Yet some of the squad cars that are shown when the LAPD responds to the Tate house are 1971 Dodge Polaras. Besides being incorrect for the year of the murders, the LAPD patrol cars of the era were 1968 and 1969 Plymouth Belvederes. See more »

Quotes

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

Connections

Referenced in Brad Tries...: Brad Tries Manson Family Cult-a-Cola (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

Long, Long, Long
Written by George Harrison
Performed by Silverspoon
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

 
Still Chilling 30 Years Later
21 April 2006 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I found this to be one of the more interesting made-for-TV films I'ever watched, thanks to the sensationalism of the true-life story and the mesmerizing performances of the lead villain (Steve Railsback) and his followers. Railsback's eyes alone are frighteningly haunting to this viewer, 30 years after first seeing it. By the way, my VHS tape has one f-word in the film, which would never be allowed on TV. What gives with that?

Actually, the most frightening people, as a whole, were the women who did Manson's killing for him. I was creeped out more by Nancy Wolfe's chilling performance of Susan Atkins than I did was by anyone else, including the famous "Charlie."

The film has turned out to be a pretty good piece of American history, the kind of crime history we'd like to forget.


28 of 30 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
does anyone feel they should be released after 39/40 years? johnq0583
The Beatles Responce??? convoy34
Tate/Polanski house quakeworld
The old lady in the cage?? laranadtony
Would have liked to have heard the Defense's summary borg1005-1
Anyone going to watch new movie notspecial
Discuss Helter Skelter (1976) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?