There is a certain fascination law abiding citizen’s have for what is commonly referred to as ‘true crime thrillers’ that endures throughout the ages. One of the first crime accounts many become familiar with is the Biblical account of fratricide between Cain and Able. Single murders are gruesome enough but what really piques the attention of the public is the serial killer. People capable of snuffing out the lives of multiple victims instills a degree of, some would say, morbid allure when it comes to serial killers. Although horror film terrors such as Freddie Kruger or Michael Myers would technically meet the criteria of serial killer as generally accepted by the medical and law enforcement communities they are thankfully figments of a twisted imagination. What are exceptionally terrifying are the real life serial killers. There is far more likely a chance that you will encounter a Ted Bundy than A guy with a bad sweater and cutlery manicure. There is one name that stands out above the pack of these murders even surpassing the infamous ‘Jack the Ripper’. That heinous distinction now falls to Charles Manson. In 1970 Manson directed his ‘family’ to slaughter two groups of people in the luxurious suburbs of Los Angles. What followed was a panic that swept through the country culminating with one of the most gripping and unusual courtroom trials in the history of the justice system. The account of the crime and the trial went on to become the basis of a bestselling book in 1974 by the prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi and then to the made for television film considered here in 1976. I admit that the case caught my attention initially in the newspaper accounts then with the novel. I quickly became a fan of the film not only for the dark subject matter but for the excellence instilled in its production values. For a made for television movie this account holds up through time and continues to surpass the many fictionalized accounts that have cropped up over time. The DVD of this film may have been released awhile ago but it still is better than most contemporary true crime accounts and far superior to the current flock of horror flicks.

the first of the murders occurred on August 9, 1969 when several members of Manson’s cult, the ‘Family’ set out to the home of director Roman Polanski and his young, wife, actress Sharon Tate. The members dispatched by Manson (Steve Railsback) that night were Tex Watson (Bill Durkin), Susan Atkins ( Nancy Wolfe), Linda Kasabian (Marilyn Burns), and Patricia Krenwinkel (Christina Hart). They quickly commandeered the house and brutally slaughtered the four inhabitants. Sharon Tate, over eight months pregnant, had the baby stabbed to death in utero. The crime scene was awash with blood that extended outside the house indicating a terrorizing chase has ensued. Manson was disappointed with the execution and the next night he accompanied the original four adding two other family members, Leslie Van Houten (Cathey Paine) and Steve "Clem" Grogan (Steve Gries). Together they invaded they invaded the home of Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Once again the viciousness and sheer frenzy of the murders was staggering. At both scenes phrases were written in blood including references to ‘Piggies’ and ‘Healter [sic] Skelter’. At first the police though the Tate murders was a drug deal gone horribly wrong which resulted in toilets flushing throughout the area. Initially the two sets of murders were not seen as connected adding to the procedural mistakes eventually attributed to the police investigation. In some ways this film could be seen as the template for the most successful crime drama ever on TV, ‘Law and Order’. After a brief look at the actual crime the focus is brought to bear on the investigation eventually leasing to the apprehension of Manson and the cult members involved. The movie then switches gears to the lengthy, convoluted and exceedingly bizarre prosecution. The trial began in June, 1970. Kasabian turned States’ evidence against the codefendants; Manson, Atkins, and Krenwinkel, each charged with a count of conspiracy to commit murder and seven counts of murder in the first degree. Sitting first chair at the prosecution table was Assistant District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Vincent Bugliosi (George DiCenzo).

Most of the incredibly bizarre antics that surrounded the investigation and trial are depicted here including the local News team finding the bloody clothing used and the sudden death of Manson’s defense lawyer. The trial was a media circus that extended to the girls of the Family sitting vigil outside the courthouse to Manson and his followers carving swastikas into their own foreheads. The media frenzy extended to the White House with the famous headline in the LA Times, "Manson Guilty, Nixon Declare". Even after the guilty verdict was obtained the strange antics continued throughout the penalty phase of the trail. Manson is still alive and routine comes up for parole consideration but there is little chance it will ever be granted.

One of the strangest aspects of this case is the fact that the motivation was tied to the popular ‘White Album’ from the ‘Beatles’. The film shows how difficult it was for Bugliosito establish a rock album as a significant part of the motive. It came down to there could not be a rational motive behind such unbelievably insane actions. If you did not know that the facts behind this film are reasonably portrayed you would be seriously strained to believe it. You should go to the novel and other published sources for a historically accurate account but this film is better than most true crime movies. One thing that has always stuck with me is just how well the cast nails their parts. In particular the pivotal role of Manson by Steve Railsback he refrains from trying to do an imitation of Manson going instead to capture the essence of a murderous madman. This is especially evident in his eye, they are downright scary. The film still stands as one of the best the genre has to offer.