Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Roy Hart If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Sabah Hensley This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

dougdoepke Fascinating film about crimes that gripped the nation in 1969. Had the first victims not included Hollywood celebrities, I doubt the sensationalism would have been so pervasive. Nonetheless, the state's account is told in painstakingly detailed fashion, while it's a tribute to the filmmakers that not even the many lawyerly conflabs manage to pall. Of course, there were social-political agendas at stake at the time. Many folks saw the Manson murders as logical outcome of an undisciplined, hedonistic hippie movement. After all, what else could be expected of rootless sex-happy druggies. On the other hand, counterculture folks did their best to disassociate a lunatic Manson and his witless followers from movement principles. The movie essentially presents the case from prosecutor Bugliosi's point of view, but is wisely careful not to indict the counterculture as a whole. Railsback plays the bearded lunatic with wild-eyed abandon—how much is true to life and how much caricature is open to speculation. Most unnerving to me, however, is Nancy Wolfe as Susan Atkins. Her need to believe in a leader-type, any leader who pays her attention, suggests an undercurrent more alarming than Charlie himself. Then too, Wolfe plays Atkins with effective and understated malign. On the other hand, DiCenzo's prosecuting attorney is clearly the hero. Wisely, Bugliosi comes across as a consummate professional, without swagger or ego. Thus the contrast with Manson is striking, leaving no doubts about the trial's outcome. Note too, how police bureaucracy mishandles the Tate murder weapon, making prosecution more difficult, a good touch to include. Too bad, however, that Manson's charismatic side is not included. For example a scene that shows how he was able to emotionally seduce his followers. As things stand, we get the dramatic effects without the seductive cause.On the whole, the long version, 180-minutes, is slickly done, especially for a TV movie. Now that 50-years have passed, most Americans have no living memory of what a splash the freighted crimes made. In that sense, the movie—for better or worse-- amounts to an entertaining visual record.

Uriah43 Told almost exclusively from the perspective of prosecutor "Vincent Bugliosi" (George DiCenzo) this movie details the events that occurred on August 9, 1969 (and again on the next day) by Charles Manson and his followers along with their subsequent arrest, trial and conviction for the murders of seven people in Hollywood, California. Even today the entire story is both shocking and bizarre. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that although it is told in a documentary style it still manages to retain the horror of the events to a great degree. I especially liked the performance of Steve Railsback (as "Charles Manson") who performed in a very excellent manner. Likewise, Nancy Wolfe (as "Susan Atknins") was also very good. At any rate, there are apparently several versions of this movie available and since I have only seen the long version (about 194 minutes) I can only say that this particular version is very good and I rate it as above average.

pmscotland34 I've seen all there is to see on Charles M Manson and the Helter Skelter horror and the best was the 1976 made for TV movie not gonna go into detail but the other movies the Manson character was not convincing or was forcing the character and you can tell.Steve Railsback is freshly wicked awesome as Charlie and the court scenes are intense,you get more info because most of it comes from court transcripts,only way you'll get more is if you read the book.which you should have done before watching the movie.Go ahead see the other stuff first check out the "new" stuff by all means go ahead,save the original for last you'll never look back.You will realize that there is only one garbage dump to eat from one actor to take you creepy crawling.and only ONE true movie... ~nyertrappedinnh out~

Scarecrow-88 Stunning, matter-of-fact television film runs around three hours but holds it's grip the entire time. Steve Railsback is absolutely mesmerizing(..and terrifying)as Charles Manson, the cult leader claiming to be Jesus Christ and commanding his followers(four of them mainly)to murder rich "pigs" in California. Most notable was pregnant actress Sharon Tate, famous director Roman Polanski's woman, along with others in the house that horrible night. Along with those were the La Biancas, also unfortunate chosen victims of the Manson followers. Along with Railsback chilling portrayal was Nancy Wolfe as Susan Atkins who will bring eerie goosebumps as she describes in luridly evil(yet coldly and unapologetically)detail how she murdered Sharon Tate as she begged for herself and the unborn baby she was carrying. Not to mention how she describes the "gurgling sound" that a victim makes choking in their own blood. We also hear about how a fork was used to carve "war" in Mr. La Bianca's torso. Another interesting(..and good)casting choice is Marilyn Burns in the important role of Linda Kasabian..the young follower who would be the ultimate voice that put away five cold blooded killers. George DiCenzo portrays DA Vincent Bugliosi, the man whose life would certainly be effected by the immense strain of putting together an extremely difficult case against Manson..who was the lynch-pin in causing a rest in the fear so many were feeling.The film covers in pain-staking detail the events before, during, & after the case(even the mass media aspects revolving around the case).