Any filmmaker who's taken the time to put together a movie knows
that it can be a painstaking process that can take a remarkably difficult toll
on your stamina. Some give up, and some are persistent like Deadbeat at Dawn writer/actor/director, Jim Van Bebber. It didn't take a year, or even several years to
complete his movie The Manson Family - the process took more than ten years for
him to finish his second feature film. In 2003, Severin Films' David
Gregory and partner Carl Daft came in at just the right time to help Van Bebber
finish, and now, for fans of this ferocious take on the Manson Family we are
now treated to a special edition Blu-ray of the movie with new extras that even
include Van Bebber’s return behind the camera with the 16 minute short Gator
Green.
The story of Charles Manson and his group of followers known as
the “Manson Family” has been told before (Specifically in Vincent Bugliosi’s
Helter Skelter) but the actual Manson Family hasn’t gotten the attention that thankfully Van Bebber gives the likes of Tex Watson (Michael Pitman), Leslie van Houten
(Amy Yates) Patty Krenwinkle (Leslie Orr).
In many ways these lost souls are much more interesting and frightening as Charlie himself. Leading up to the notorious Tate-LaBianca murders, we get to become a member of this group of psychotic lemmings - almost watching over the shoulders them as they commit these crimes. The structure is non-linear here but still contains a lot of facts from the case and an approach to filming that creates a nightmare unlike anything put forth in a true-crime based picture. Some of the visuals are absolutely ghastly, as they should be considering the content.
In many ways these lost souls are much more interesting and frightening as Charlie himself. Leading up to the notorious Tate-LaBianca murders, we get to become a member of this group of psychotic lemmings - almost watching over the shoulders them as they commit these crimes. The structure is non-linear here but still contains a lot of facts from the case and an approach to filming that creates a nightmare unlike anything put forth in a true-crime based picture. Some of the visuals are absolutely ghastly, as they should be considering the content.
