Product Description

If you think you know the story of the Manson Family, you are dead wrong. Director Jim VanBebber (Deadbeat at Dawn) delivers an uncompromising snapshot of this cult of personality, hell- bent on executing the brutal vision of its leader, Charles Manson. On a ranch outside of LA the dream of the "Love Generation" is perverting into something evil. What was once an oasis of free love and acid trips has become ground zero for a madman’s paranoid visions. An average group of kids, the "Family", become engulfed in a delusional world where torment and slaughter is considered the path to righteousness. The Manson Family is a dizzying, rapid-fire vision of the sex and violence that unifies the misguided group, and at the direction of their leader, ends in a brutal spree leaving seven people dead in a 48 hours. You’ve seen the story through the eyes of the law. Now witness it through the eyes of THE MANSON FAMILY.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20084 in DVD
• Brand: MPI
• Released on: 2005-04-26
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Special Edition, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 95 minutes

Customer Reviews

Charlie Don't Surf
While it took forever for this film to be finished, the question is if it was worth the wait. My answer is that it was. "The Manson Family" is a very interesting view of the events that preceded the infamous killings and how they culminated in the very murders themselves. Using a multiple time phase structure, the film moves back and forth between the past and present of the main characters involved in the murders. This results in a story that tries to show the killers as being "removed" from the actual crime, as if they were not really there and they comment on it in the third person. Essentially exactly what they do when going up for parole hearings. The film is very rough, scenes are filled with scratches and other defects that bring a documentary feel to the proceedings, as if the Manson Family themselves were behind the camera. The culmination of the film with the multiple murders presents them in a highly graphic and factual way which is to the benefit of the presentation. While all the talk and posturing was peace and love, to see the horrendous murders truly puts things in perspective. This is a great movie for people into true crime stories and for those looking for a realistic portrayal of the Manson story. The DVD also contains an excellent documentary concerning no budget, renegade filmmaking. This documentary interviews many directors of these types of film and is very insightful into the passions of these people. Other extras include a revealing interview with Manson himself which, if nothing else, indicates why he will die in prison. I would recommend this film to people who are fans of independent filmmakers and true crime stories.

Finally!
I'm not Roger Ebert or any of your big time "name" movie critics, I'm just a fan of movies. I speak for myself and no one else. I like quirky movies, b grade & alot of other flicks that most people abhor. Now the last thing I want to do is bash anyone elses opinion, but ol' one-star at the bottom of the page is going to be in the minority of people who don't like this movie. Which is also, alas, just an opinion.

I've read quite a bit about the struggles Jim VanBebber had in finishing this flick. And what a flick. It was well worth the wait. Sure, it's trippy & violent, just what you've read. But I believe that it's going to go down in history as one of the best independent movies ever made. If you thought Helter Skelter was the definitive story of Manson, think again. Buy this, rent this. But definitely see this movie. My wife, who simply despises 95% of my collection, watched this with me- after her son and I spoke of it at length- and lo & behold, she liked it, too. I will say this, though, if you're a little weak about seeing graphic violence, drug use & heavy nudity (including simulated sexual acts), don't watch it.

Awesome
Jim Vanbebber proves once again, without a doubt, that he is the baddest mother(...)in indie horror. My Sweet Satan kicked (...), but it was short and it left viewers wanting more. The Manson Family is his greatest achievement to date. It's surely not for everyone, but those not afraid to look real horror in the eye will love this movie. In a time when the term, Underground, is as cliched as words like "alternative" or "hardcore", Vanbebber proves that minuscule budgeted films can be vital and be as effective as anything done on any budget. I watched the Unrated DVD (natch!) last night and I haven't been able to get it out of my head all day today. This movie is a masterpiece.