Starring: George DiCenzo, Steve Railsback, Nancy Wolfe, Marilyn Burns, Christina Hart Directed By: Tom Gries Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Miniseries, Full Screen, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: April 20, 2004 Running Time: 184 minutes Theatrical Release Date: April 01, 1976
Description: The investigation of two horrific mass murders leads to the capture and trial of the psychotic pseudo-hippie Charles Manson and his "family".
Amazon.com: Based on the bestselling book by Vincent Bugliosi, the two-part TV movie Helter Skelter is a clinical but often chilling recount of the arrest and trial of Charles Manson and his cult for a pair of horrific murders in 1969. Character actor George DiCenzo is a bit dry as prosecutor Bugliosi, who must patch together a series of far-flung clues to incarcerate Manson for the murder spree, which claimed the life of actress Sharon Tate, among others; he and the rest of the capable cast (which includes Marilyn Burns from the '74 Texas Chainsaw Massacre) are completely overshadowed by Steve Railsback's disturbing performance as Manson. Railsback is the main reason to revisit this feature, which shocked many during its network run in 1976, but now seems methodical in its pacing and direction. Warner Bros.'s DVD is the longer 184-minute version of the film, which should please viewers accustomed to the 119-minute rebroadcast cut; otherwise, the disc is disappointingly supplement-free. --Paul Gaita
Must agree with Mr. Doyle He is absolutely right- this should have been the "uncensored" version which was indeed available previously on 2-part VHS tape. I don't know the story behind the more adult version, as I believe the version originally aired back in the 70's was without the f-word and other stuff. Perhaps another version was created for possible theatrical release either in the US or abroad.
Still, the movie is great and the performances are top notch, I believe still better than the 2004 remake. Enough kudos isn't given to the girls, particularly Nancy Wolfe and Cathey Paine who manage to capture that free-spirited hippy dippiness and completely insane annoyingness at the same time. And, of course, Steve Railsback is really quite brilliant as Charlie. A powerful, scary, intense, but just shy of crazy performance. He should've won an emmy for this!
courtroom copy this movie is a courtroom and investigation copy, it's the better one to see to get the entire idea.... by the way, it's charlie manson...
An interesting but crazy man What can you say, Manson is a nut. Simple. My wife had watched this when it first came out and told me about it. So, I ordered it for her. We sat down and watched it, it surprised her with all the extras in it that was never shown on TV. Overall, considering how old the movie is, it was just uncanny how some actors can get so into a character and show you how sadistic they could really be.
Helter Skelter [1976] After watching this movie for the first time when I was a kid I could not sleep for several days.A terrifying account of the infamous murder trial of Charles Manson.Steve Railsback's portrayal of aforesaid subject is chillingly played with maniacal acumen.A classic that has stood the test of time.
The best Manson docudrama available Made-for-tv movie, released in 1976, Helter Skelter features the best portrayal of Manson by an actor I've seen yet in the performance of Steve Railsback (even if he's slightly over-the-top at times). Funny how this movie contains no nudity and little to no graphic violence, yet remains the most effective Manson docudrama to date. Pretty much the film version of Vincent Bugliosi's Helter Skelter book, and, much like the book, it's long but absorbing. Well worth your time.
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