The Manson Family - The Memorable TV DVD Review

Distributor: Magna Pacific
Certificate: R18+ | 95 minutes

Reviewer: Fred Hamer
Available to rent
Extras: No

ANYONE IN IT WE KNOW?

Not really

WHAT’S IT ABOUT THEN?

In the annals of world history there has been people who have had power over others, think of Rasputin the mad monk who destroyed the Russian Royal Family, Jimmy and Tammy Baker who deluded thousands. Most recently we have had the frightening image of Charles Manson and his family.

The story of the Manson family has been well documented in the past, but this film is a little different it is part documentary part re-creation. Some of the main members are interviewed to comment on the graphic and sometimes sickening re-creations of their crimes against humanity. Some of the the Manson family are here including: Leslie the high school prom queen who under Manson’s influence became a knife wielding homicidal maniac. Bobby whose arrest for the first of the “family” murders was the catalyst of what was to follow ie Helter Skelter. Sadie who became one of the most zealous of Manson’s followers. Patti an ex Sunday School teacher who was looking for Jesus and found him in Charles Manson, (indeed Manson himself believed he was Jesus Christ); Tex a bloody butcher who could kill in the blink of an eye - the knife was a favourite weapon he would continue to stab a victim after the victim was dead.

There were many others that joined Manson bikies, ex convicts and others all under the influence of Manson, one example of Manson’s power: Manson announced he now carried a knife within a week all followers were carrying knives and Manson was giving instructions on
how to slit a persons throat with one, it would seem that Manson had the answers but no one had the questions.

The film traces the beginnings of the family from the drugs and group sex that the family revelled in through their creepy crawly exploits to the horrific murders they perpetrated.

SO IS IT ANY GOOD?

This film is not for everyone but it doesn’t intend to be, the sensitive and squeamish viewers would be repulsed by full nudity both male and female, unbridled sex acts, scenes of people shooting up drugs and the bloody sickening murders, it’s not a film you could enjoy but appreciate - which I did, it was a timely reminder of what can happen when one man’s dangerous ideals are allowed to run wild.

ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

No extras.