So after reading Vincent Bugliosi's landmark 1974 true crime book I felt like for the first time I had a solid understanding of Charles Manson and his family in the sense of what occurred and when. The ultimate motives behind the murders are debatable and crazy no matter how you slice it. The book was fascinating though, and after that I had no desire to really venture into a fictional movie regarding those events which there are more than a few versions out there. In looking at expanded material surround the Manson Family and Helter Skelter I did find this EPIX documentary series from only a couple years back. I think this documentary is a nice companion piece to the novel as it is very interesting to put images and soundbites next to the words regarding these horrific and bizarre events. Also since this documentary is relatively recent it gives a very updated account on where all these players are today as this is something that only becomes more bizarre and curious in hindsight. The real coup of the film maker, Chilcott, is the inclusion throughout of the testimonials of three Manson family girls. It was extremely engrossing hearing these events as filtered through their thoughts and recollections. I will warn you this movie does have a sequence where it shows the crime scene photes of the Tate-LaBianca killings and it is rather harsh, but a part of me feels we need to absorb that harshness for time and popular culture has softened, to some degree, how people regard Manson and in seeing those images it brings into stark focus what he was about and what he caused. To me this series was under the radar not being produced by a major network or streaming service, but it is nonetheless fascinating for anyone who was as absorbed by Bugliosi's novel as I was. It is not just a rehash of the book even though it covers much of the same territory. Both stand on their own, but together bring an even greater understanding of all these lurid events.
Eric's Grade: B+
Eric's Grade: B+