You won't be disappointed!

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Manson (1973) *** 1/2 (out of 4)The television movie HELTER SKELTER is what most people remember when they think of the serial killer, his family and any sort of entertainment. This documentary was released three years before that film and features Vincent Bugliosi as he discusses the crimes, the cult members and various other subjects.For the time this here is certainly a very entertaining documentary and it really makes you see how things were just a few years after the original murders. We learn about Manson, his rise to power, why the murders were committed and of course we get to meet and see the family. The family is what really makes this documentary stand apart as we get interviews with several family members as they discuss the power of Manson.The interviews with the family members were certainly the most fascinating thing because you can't help but wish that the police had just dropped a bunch of bombs on these freaks when they went to arrest Manson for the car theft. As were told, the group was arrested for lesser charges because they were eventually charged with the murders that were committed.It was rather creepy watching these family members as they talk about their plans including killing Frank Sinatra. Watching this documentary you really get a great idea of how crazy these people were and it just makes you wonder why more terror wasn't committed.

The first time I saw Manson I thought it was a very crappy AIP docu-drama that cashed in the Manson myths.Several years later, I bought a copy of it on public domain DVD in the 3.99 bin at a local department store. Watching Manson the second time, having already seen Charlie Manson Superstar and a lot of other Manson footage, I noticed that all the participants really, really looked like their real-life counterparts. Then I read that NOT A FRAME OF THIS FILM WAS FAKE!!! Basically you get to see actual footage of the Spahn Ranch as well as home movies and court footage featuring the real Manson family in their time. I don't know who shot the sequence of Squeaky Fromm holding a shotgun and warning snitches to watch their backs but it's so unbelievably stark you wouldn't believe it. This is an iconic, excellent documentary about the Manson family murders that shows you in detail what exactly occurred during that terrible time and the raging social forces that led up to the family's shocking murders. This film deeply influenced Van Bebber's 'Charlie's Family' aka 'The Manson Family' which is another amazing interpretation of these events.

"Manson" is an excellent time capsule from a very different time. It's a bit redundant at times, with all the "shocking" talk about sex and drugs, but the information about the crimes and the casual attitude of Manson's women (considering their backgrounds) toward violence and death is fascinating. The question is: were these people just stupid and extremely vulnerable to a person like Manson or are all of us capable of more than we'd like to think? Or were they really deeply psychologically disturbed to begin with? "Manson" is a beautiful, thought-provoking film.

While "Manson" does not contain any really new information about the infamous Manson murders, it does contain lots of new information about who the family is, their "Helter Skelter" plan, and what they are doing today (circa 1972)."Manson" is a bit hard to find on video, but when I found it, I bought it and loved it! I had read "Helter Skelter" about 8 times and knew just about everything about the Manson case. I finally was able to see the twisted Family members being interviewed, shown skinny-dipping and sewing, dancing around, and having sex! Squeaky Fromme, Sandy Good, Nancy Pittman, Capistrano, Mary Brunner, Clem, Bruce Davis, Charles Manson, and plenty of witnesses are interviewed, giving grotesquely fascinating details about life in the Family. This is just too good to miss, any true crime buff or anyone who wants to be scared by something that REALLY happened, see this. It will give you the shivers. Features Manson and his Family singing "Never Say Never to Always" and two former Family members doing the rest of the fantastic music.