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Jeremy Davies, Bruno Kirby, Clea DuVall, Marguerite Moreau, Mary Lynn Rajskub ... see more see more... , Allison Smith , Cheselka Leigh , Chris Ellis , Eric Dane , Graham Beckel , Hal Ozsan , Isabella Hofmann , Michael Weston , Rick Gomez , Robert Costanzo , Robert Joy , Susan Ruttan

The most infamous multiple murders of the 1960s are brought back to life in this, the second made-for-television adaptation of Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry's best-selling account of Charles Manson... read more read more... and his "family." Linda Kasabian (Clea DuVall) is a young runaway with a baby who, while wandering the fringes of Los Angeles' hippie subculture, encounters Charles Manson (Jeremy Davies), a charismatic ex-convict and aspiring musician who travels with a group of young people, mostly women, whom he calls his "family." Kasabian soon falls into Manson's orbit and moves in with the group at a combination riding range and standing Western-movie set, where she and the other members of the family -- among them Patricia Krenwinkel (Allison Smith), Susan Atkins (Marguerite Moreau), Squeaky Fromme (Mary Lynn Rajskub), "Tex" Watson (Eric Dane), and Bobby Beausoleil (Michael Weston) -- subsist through petty crime, handouts, and rescuing food from trash bins and bond with their leader through drugs, group sex, and constant study of his apocalyptic philosophy. Like the other members of the group, Kasabian's life soon revolves around Manson, who is desperate to record his music and frustrated with the slow progress he's seeing from his patron Dennis Wilson, drummer with the Beach Boys. Certain that an international race war foretold in his songs will soon wipe out civilization, and that he and his family will ultimately persevere, Manson decides it's time to kick start events by staging a pair of spectacularly repellent murders, which are carried out by members of his family who have been taught not to question Manson's word. In time, Manson and his family are arrested in connection with the murders, and District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi (Bruno Kirby) is given the difficult task of untangling the mingled strands of the bizarre killings and making a case in court against the family. Helter Skelter was first aired on Sunday, May 16, 2004, by CBS; the film was subjected to last-minute cuts to tone down the violent content in the film's gruesome murder sequences. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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62% liked it

7,225 ratings

Unrated, 3 hr.

Directed by: John Gray

Release Date: May 16, 2004

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DVD Release Date: October 19, 2004

Stats: 279 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (279)

  • theunknownhobo
    January 23, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    As an accurate representation of the life of Charles Manson, this movie is acceptable. As a piece of entertainment produced simply for this means, this film is good. I have a keen interest in Charles Manson, as most people do (:P) and I love Jeremy Davies so naturally this movie ... read morelooked like a winner. If I were basing my review purely on Davies' portrayal of the mentally unhinged and deeply spiritual Manson, then this review would have five out of five easily, as I think it is one of the most comfortable roles I have ever seen him in. However as a movie and more importantly as something that claims to be rooted in fact, from my knowledge, this movie is accurate in some parts but very random in others, giving it a middle of the road two and half out of five, but making it still definatley worth a watch.
  • roseypie
    April 12, 2009
    roseypie
    This made-for-tv movie tells the story of influential yet twisted Charles Manson who has led a group of people , eventually known as the Manson Family and the events that led to his arrest after organizing a series of murders.

    Jeremy Davies, who is better known for his characte... read morer as Daniel Faraday in the Lost TV series, was brilliant in his portrayal as Charles Manson. The movie was a bit long, but each moment held my interest. It was obvious that it ran on a small budget, but the murder scenes were still spine-tingling.
  • irisheyes686
    February 28, 2009
    irisheyes686
    Very sick movie. Jeremy Davies was awesome as Manson. I believed I was watching the real thing. I saw it a few years ago, but I still remember how creepy and chilling it was.
  • RemiLogan
    October 12, 2008
    RemiLogan
    This movie pretty much educated me about Manson
  • MarilynsDisciple
    February 1, 2009
    MarilynsDisciple
    This is the TV version. I haven't seen the original, '76, but this one was great. That guy really pulled ol' Charlie off really well.
  • justinquinn99
    August 11, 2008
    justinquinn99
    I thought that Jeremy Davies did an excellent job as Charles Manson. He looked just like him. I don't know if Charles acted like him or not but he at least portrayed him in a way that I think would be very similar to Manson. The story is very accurate with the facts that were giv... read moreen about the murders. It was exact even down to the details of the murders so they really tried to be accurate with this film. The only reason I'm not rating it higher is because, at times, it was a little slow. Other then that, it was an entertaining movie and an accurate look into the life of Charles Manson.
  • JaredsBaby
    June 11, 2008
    JaredsBaby
    I found this very disturbing and slightly scary....remember seeing it back in highschool..our teacher made us watch it.
  • bluejays86rock
    August 11, 2007
    bluejays86rock
    okay this movie is like a documentary, its pretty good too but sad that it really did happen, sharon tate was beautiful.
  • rosshalde1960
    January 15, 2007
    rosshalde1960
    I gave this movie 5 stars just because it told the true story of what the Manson Family was about. It is hard to watch at times, but it is a good movie.

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Critic Reviews

Brian Lowry
September 20, 2010
Brian Lowry, Variety

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Helter Skelter : Watch Free on TV

Helter Skelter Trivia

  • Much of the dialogueused in the film Helter Skelter was taken directly from the court transcripts ?  Answer »
  • Martin Scorsese { director} was offered the role of Charley Manson {Helter Skelter } ?  Answer »
  • The Mansons family car was the original on loan from the authorities for the Helter Skelter movie?  Answer »
  • Who portrayed Charles Mansion in the film Helter Skelter ?  Answer »
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