''Helter Skelter'' is a 2004 television film written and directed by
John Gray, based on the 1974 non-fiction book by
Vincent Bugliosi
Vincent T. Bugliosi Jr. (; August 18, 1934 – June 6, 2015) was an American prosecutor and author who served as Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office between 1964 and 1972.
He became best known for s ...
and
Curt Gentry
Curtis Marsena "Curt" Gentry (June 13, 1931 – July 10, 2014) was an American writer, born in Lamar, Colorado.
He is best known for co-authoring, with Vincent Bugliosi, the 1974 book '' Helter Skelter'', which detailed the Charles Manson murder ...
about the murders of the
Manson Family.
The film is the second film to be based on the
Charles Manson murders, following the
1976 two-part TV movie of the same name. Unlike the 1976 version, which focused mainly on the police investigation and the murder trial (as did the book), this version focused mainly on
Linda Kasabian's involvement with the
Manson Family and their development.
Plot
After breaking up with her husband, 19-year-old single mother Linda Kasabian seeks refuge with the
Manson Family at
Spahn Ranch
Spahn Ranch, also known as the Spahn Movie Ranch, was a 55-acre (22.3 ha) movie ranch in Los Angeles, California. For a period it was used as a ranch, dairy farm and later movie set during the era of westerns. After a decline in use for filming b ...
and witnesses their indoctrination techniques. After attending the killings at the Sharon Tate house she flees Spahn Ranch but the Manson Family keeps her daughter in their custody, knowing that this will force her to return. Her daughter and all of the other children are taken by Social Services during a raid on Spahn Ranch after Manson burns municipal
earthmoving equipment
Heavy equipment or heavy machinery refers to Heavy-duty vehicle, heavy-duty vehicles specially designed to execute construction tasks, most frequently involving Earthworks (engineering), earthwork operations or other large construction tasks. ...
that he believes is being used to make it harder for him to find the "bottomless pit" that he believes is described in
Revelation 9
Revelation 9 is the ninth chapter of the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of ...
and "
Revolution 9
"Revolution 9" is a sound collage from the Beatles' 1968 self-titled double album (also known as the "White Album"). The composition, credited to Lennon–McCartney, was created primarily by John Lennon with assistance from Yoko Ono and George ...
". The case is dropped due to an improperly executed warrant but confessions from Sadie and interviews with Kitty lead investigators to connect the Hinman, Tate, and LaBianca killings and issue warrants for the members of the Manson Family. Joey Dimarco and
Paul Watkins explain to the detectives how the words "Helter Skelter" and "Pig" found written in blood at the crime scenes are related to the worldview of the Manson Family derived from passages in the
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament (and consequently the final book of the Christian Bible). Its title is derived from the first word of the Koine Greek text: , meaning "unveiling" or "revelation". The Book of R ...
and the lyrics of the
Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developme ...
, thereby connecting Manson's philosophy to the murders themselves as acts intended to spark a race war he dubbed "Helter Skelter". Manson dismisses his counsel and represents himself at trial but is deemed unfit after disrupting proceedings. Linda Kasabian is given an immunity deal and ends up giving detailed testimony at trial. The accused members of the Manson Family are ultimately convicted of the murders but California repeals the death penalty in 1972, making them all eligible for parole.
Cast
References
External links
*
2004 films
2004 television films
Remakes of American films
American television films
Films scored by Mark Snow
Films directed by John Gray (director)
Films set in 1969
Films set in Los Angeles
Films set in Los Angeles County, California
Cultural depictions of Charles Manson
Biographical films about serial killers
Crime films based on actual events
Warner Bros. films
The Wolper Organization films
Films based on works by Vincent Bugliosi
Films based on non-fiction books
2000s English-language films
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