Themes: Murder Investigations, Serial Killers, Crime Sprees
Main Cast: George DiCenzo, Steve Railsback, Nancy Wolfe, Marilyn Burns, Christina Hart, Cathey Paine
Release Year: 1976
Country: US
Run Time: 194 minutes
Plot
Based on the best-selling Vincent Bugliosi book of the same name, Helter Skelter is a made-for-TV account of the investigation and prosecution of Charles Manson (Steve Railsback), who was convicted of leading a group of followers (known as "The Family") to murder seven people in California, including actress Sharon Tate. The film takes a Law & Order-like approach, starting with the discovery of the murders, which leads to the police gathering snippets of evidence that they eventually connect to the bigger picture. The second half of the movie concentrates on how District Attorney Bugliosi (George DiCenzo) attains a conviction despite the enormous amount of press coverage the case received. Nancy Wolfe, Christina Hart, and Cathey Paine portray the three loyal Manson Family members who were the co-defendants at his trial. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Review
Adapted from the book by Vincent Bugliosi, Helter Skelter is a stellar docudrama that details the Manson family murders and the subsequent trial. Using a documentary style with voice-over narration to keep the story moving along, director Tom Gries perfectly captures the horrifying details of the case, including Charles Manson's eerie, brainwashed followers and his belief that he was receiving messages to start a race war from The Beatles' White Album. The film also does a fantastic job of conveying the public fear over a case that sent shock waves throughout the entire nation. In the part of Manson, Steve Railsback is frenetic, frightening, and always mesmerizing. His powerful address to the courtroom at the end even provokes a glimpse of sympathy for the madman. In a less exciting role opposite Railsback, George DiCenzo is solid as Bugliosi, the young lawyer chosen to prosecute the case. Helter Skelter was originally shown as a two-part CBS television movie that ran 194 minutes, but beware the video version released in the 1980s -- it comes in at a significantly chopped 119 minutes. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide
Marc Alaimo - Phil Cohen; Josh Albee - Struthers; Rod Arrants - Bart Listen; Sondra Blake - Ronnie Howard; Jim Boles - Camarinos; James Brodhead - Mr. Quint; Bart Burns - Frank Fowler; Howard Caine - Everett Scoville; Al Checco - Leno LaBianca; Linden Chiles - J. Miller Leavy; Louise Caire Clark - Susan Struthers; David Clennon - Harry Jones; Sidney Clute - Reporter; Bert Conway - Judge Keene; Alan Dexter - Dog Owner; Jerry Dunphy - Newscaster; Joyce Easton - Gail Bugliosi; Bruce French - Officer Ocher; John Furlong - Judge Dell; Cal Haynes - Keith; Skip Homeier - Judge Older; Robert Hoy - Sgt. Franklin; Robert Ito - Drees Darrin; Roy Jenson - Punchy; Paul Kent - Dennis Ranson; Wright King - Friend; Jonathan Lippe - Hank Charter; Barbara Mallory - "Family" Girl; Paul Mantee - Sgt. O'Neal; Doug McGrath - Plainsclothesman; Dorothy Meyer - Housekeeper; Ray Middleton - Mr. Spahn; Ralph Montgomery - Grand Jury Foreman; Read Morgan - Officer Columbine; Alan Oppenheimer - Aaron Stovitz; Mary Kay Pass - Sgt. Broom; Larry Pennell - Sgt. White; George Putnam - Newscaster; Rudy Ramos - Danny DeCarlo; Guy Remsen - Andy Cookley; Jason Ronard - Paul Watkins; Stanley Ralph Ross - Sgt. Ross; Robert Rothwell - TV Reporter; Richard Venture - Police Inspector; Carole Ita White - Big Sal; Adam Williams - Terrence Milik; Bert Williams - Deputy; Bill Durkin - Tex Watson; John Evans - Sanderson; Deborah Parsons - "Family" Girl; Joe Roman - The Bailiff; Anthony Herrera - Sgt. Smith; Phillip Richard Allen - Sgt. Manuel Gris; Tracy Morgan - Henna Woman; Bill Sorrells - Gillespie; Jon Gries - William Garretson; Jack Miller - Joe Dorgan; Edward Bell - Sgt. Hank Kruger
Credit
Phil Barber - Art Director, Jules Brenner - Choreography, Tom Gries - Director, Gene Fowler, Jr. - Editor, Bud S. Isaacs - Editor, Byron Brandt - Editor, Lee Rich - Executive Producer, Philip Capice - Executive Producer, Billy Goldenberg - Composer (Music Score), Paul McCartney - Songwriter, Silverspoon - Singer, Jesse Wayne - Stunts, J.P. Miller - Screenwriter, John Lennon - Featured Music, Curt Gentry - Book Author, Vincent Bugliosi - Book Author
