Hello Rapunzel ( I was in Liverpool this week- fab city!) It's a genre that has been badly ignored. For reasons which are presumably fairly obvious, Hollywood has chosen largely to ignore the crime of the 20th century- which in turn allowed a slew of cheap budget films to surface. To my mind, the definitive film of this extraordinary case is still in waiting. I am sure it will come in time. Until then, in my opinion, look no further than "Manson" by Robert Hendrickson- which is not a drama, but a very, very powerful documentary filmed around the time of the trials. I sort of enjoyed the first "Helter Skelter" film- principally for the acting of both leads (Bugliosi and Manson), but it follows a familiar theme. Otherwise, read "Truth on Tate-Labianca" and imagine how good a film could actually be if someone was imaginative/brave enough to get it right. Best to you and Liverpool, Simon x
I haven't really seen a good one either. Would love there to be, but they all are very disappointing on many different levels.
Rapunzel, was that the Van Beeber version? When I saw that one I thought it was the worst film I had ever seen on the subject. Then I thought about the remake of HS and now I don't know which is worse. If CM had acted like that idiot in the remake he would have been sent to the booby-hatch. :wacky: I'm with you Simon, Hendrickson's beats them all hands down. But I'm a big documentary fan anyway. FB
Hendrickson's other doc " Inside the Manson Gang " is good too. Charlie ok'd it from jail and has lots of footage from Spahn Ranch/ Barker Ranch of the family, well worth seeing . Watkins, Davis, Grogan, Gypsy ,Squeaky, O'l George et al in it in good quality colour.
Yes, I like that one too and the Ron Reagan interview is good. Charlie isn't acting like an idiot. It all depends on the interviewer, if they come in with an attitude he acts the fool. If he is treated like a human being he acts like one, a bit messed up but he's interesting to listen to. FB
I'm not sure what versin tbh lol. My bf downloads things for me and then brings them when he comes to stay lol (long distance relationship). I've asked to download 'manson' for me. He's back a week tomorrow. I'm sure he's fed up of me going on about this but I can't help it. Its captivating. Big fan of documentaries too btw ☺
Cease to Exist is not a bad documentary tends to focus on the Dennis Wilson connection. The Hendrikson film is very good,
Just watched the Superstar film. Interesting but I have one quibble, Lennon did not write Helter Skelter, Mc Cartney did.
If you really pay attention when he speaks there are times he makes perfect sense. There are some things he said back then that have actually come to pass which is quite un-nerving if you think about it. He did a masterful job of creating the image of an idiot but is anything but an idiot. When you see him act like that you have to remember that it is just that, an act. I think part of the fascination ( at least for me) lies in the fact that he has the capacity for very deep thought. One would never expect it to look at him, especially when he is acting the fool. FB
I agree with you there Freebird. I think Charlie plays up for the cameras, acting out the role that was created for him by the bug and the media.
The problem with any movie/book/or anything about the whole Manson thing is that for people like the ones on this site know so much in depth detail about the case (Especially you Cats) just about anything that could be made at this point in time would be lacking and probably dissapointing in a major way. :nod:
