Product Details

• Actors: Charles Manson, Sharon Tate, Nancy Pitman, Paul Watkins
• Format: NTSC, Color
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: World Wide Video
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000674DO6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,938 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

There are NO ACTORS in this gripping documentary, and it contains the only actual footage ever obtained of Manson and his family. This film was nominated for an Academy Award. A Robert Hendrickson/ Laurence Merrick Film. This profound and shocking documentary is impossible to forget. On August 9, 1969, in the dead of night, four assassins clothed in black, besieged the home of international film star Sharon Tate, unleashed their swords and left a trail of blood and warnings that were felt from Los Angeles to the far corners of the world. While police investigators and newsmen were scrambling for information of the "Hippie Cult Leader and His Family," producer Robert Hendrickson had already made contact with and was filming the notorious "Manson Family." No actors appear in this film... only Charles Manson, his family, children, killers, revolutionaries, victims, the prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi and the people involved. This, the true "Manson Family Story," their beliefs, rituals of death and dedication to the overthrow of the government of the United States, is beyond any writer's imagination, but it is documented in this incredible documentary. Revealed for the first time, outside the courtroom -- staggering details of the most hideously bizarre murders in the annals of crime. Some of the people interviewed in this insightful documentary, which is narrated by Jeff Pearson, are: Mary Brunner Vincent Bugliosi Lynette Fromme Sandra Good Steve Grogan Charles Manson Phil Phillips Nancy Pitman Brooks Poston Catherine Share George Spahn Paul Watkins The musical score for the film was done by two ex-family members, Brooks Poston and Paul Watkins.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Manson Documentary, December 18, 2005

By 

James E. Porter "Soup" (Belle Mead, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manson (VHS Tape)

Don't even debate it: This documentary absolutely blows away anything - and I mean ANYTHING - else done on the Manson family. It is the most detailed, close-up look at the thoughts, feelings and acid crazed views of the Manson family. It's an amazing window into their LSD-soaked perspective. It is the only video out there that works hard to give you the actual family members' insight into the "meaning" of what the Manson family was all about.

If you have any interest in Manson, this will blow anything you've ever seen before completely out of the water.

It is ALSO a great view of the general transition from idealism to degeneracy that took place in the late sixties. The fact is that Manson and his family epitomized the perversion and decay that had overtaken the sixties by the end of the decade - a decade which, for a brief period, had been an idealistic moment in time.

Unfortunately, by '69, it was no longer the experimental and idealistic people who were defining the decade. It was people like the murderous, degenerate, LSD- crazed followers of Charles Manson.

If you're attached to the "good" and idealistic aspect of the sixties, this video will illustrate for you - dramatically - how it all went wrong. And even if you're not into all that heavy stuff, it's simply an amazing documentary.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT !! This is real life and the best Manson film, January 23, 2005

By 

b.b.king (reykjavik, iceland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manson (VHS Tape)

When this film first came out it did not get very good reviews but later it became the more appreciated. This is the best film ever made on Manson and his people. When the Tate-LaBianca murder trial just started filmmakers Robert Hendricson and Laurence Merrick joined the Manson group and filmed them in their natural enviorment both at Spahn Ranch and in Death Valley. They also filmed Manson and the girls as they were on their way to the courtroom. Very unigue footage and many interesting interviews with girls who were cellmates with Susan Atkins including call girl Ronnie Howard, also with Family member Paul Watkins, Manson's former cellmate, Steve Grogan, Cathereine Share, Bruce Davis, Lynn Fromme, Sandra Good, Mary Brunner and Nancy Pitman. You will see the Manson girls take their clothes of and loading firearms and handling knifes and warning of terror and justifying their acts. If you are into Manson and have not seen it GET IT BY ALL MEANS !!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME WELL WORTH IT, IF YOU CAN FIND IT, March 24, 2005

By 

identityunknown "identityunknown" (earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manson (VHS Tape)

This is awesome and long Oout Of Print. Luckily I picked it up years ago and I still find myself watching it every so often. Contains the only recorded footage of the family from back then.