The investigation and trial of the horrific Tate-LaBianca mass murders orchestrated by the psychotic pseudo-hippie cult leader, Charles Manson.The investigation and trial of the horrific Tate-LaBianca mass murders orchestrated by the psychotic pseudo-hippie cult leader, Charles Manson.The investigation and trial of the horrific Tate-LaBianca mass murders orchestrated by the psychotic pseudo-hippie cult leader, Charles Manson.
- Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn preparation for the role of Charles Manson, Steve Railsback locked himself in a closet for two hours every day.
- GoofsOne detective shows others how The Beatles' "White Album" has a song called "Helter Skelter". As he tells them this, he points to the Apple Records label on the record. The problem is, the label he's pointing to is the "sliced" label, which appeared on the even numbered sides of that (and any) Apple album. Since the song "Helter Skelter" appears on Side 3, the label should be of a green apple's body.
- Quotes
Danny DeCarlo: [after finding out a Manson family member was present at a suspicious suicide] That's it. I ain't talking no more. I'm riding outta here on the wind, mister!
Vincent Bugliosi: There are a couple of outstanding warrants against you, Danny. I don't think you'd be very comfortable in jail. That's where Charlie is.
Danny DeCarlo: [after a slight pause] That sure is cold, man.
- Alternate versionsThere is a longer version of this movie and this was shown in as a two-part miniseries. The length of the uncut and uncensored movie is 180 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1977)
Those of us who've devoured just about every scrap of literature about the case may find minor factual points & omissions over which to quibble, but in the end, "Helter Skelter" nicely sums it up in one big lump.
Steve Railsback is letter-perfect as Charlie Manson, and there are moments here that make the viewer wonder if the actor descended just a bit too far into the psyche of the "hippie death cult" leader. No matter, he steals every scene he's in.
Most of the other actors are capable enough, although the actresses portraying Patricia Krenwinkel & Leslie Van Houten leave a lot to be desired. Nancy Wolfe (Susan Atkins) & Jason Ronard (Paul Watkins) both deserve kudos for their performances, & lead actor George DiCenzo (Vincent Bugliosi) throws himself into his role with gusto.
This being a TV-movie from 1976, things get a bit wooden at times, & the law-and-order angle is played to the hilt (the courtroom sequences are great), which may well leave you wondering how various contemporary directors might fare with this saga.
Sublime trivia note: Nancy Burns, who plays "little hippie girl" Linda Kasabian was the lead actress in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" ... the girl that Leatherface chases off into the sunset. Amazing.
- Stigmatador
- Apr 2, 2000
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Massacre in Hollywood
- Filming locations
- Paramount Ranch - 2813 Cornell Road, Agoura, California, USA(As the Spahn Movie Ranch)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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