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| Helter Skelter | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Based on | Helter Skelter byVincent Bugliosi Curt Gentry |
| Written by | John Gray |
| Directed by | John Gray |
| Starring | Jeremy Davies Clea DuVall Allison Smith Frank Zieger Eric Dane Bruno Kirby |
| Theme music composer | Mark Snow |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Vincent Bugliosi |
| Cinematography | Don E. FauntLeRoy |
| Editor | Scott Vickrey |
| Running time | 137 minutes (DVD) |
| Production companies | The Wolper Organization Lakeside Productions Warner Bros. Television |
| Original release | |
| Release | May 16, 2004 (2004-05-16) |
Helter Skelter is a 2004 television film written and directed byJohn Gray, based on the 1974 non-fiction book byVincent Bugliosi andCurt Gentry about the murders of theManson Family.[1] The film is the second film to be based on theCharles Manson murders, following the1976 two-part TV movie of the same name. Unlike the 1976 version, which focused mainly on the police investigation and the murder trial (as did the book), this version focused mainly onLinda Kasabian's involvement with theManson Family and their development.
After breaking up with her husband, 19-year-old single mother Linda Kasabian seeks refuge with theManson Family atSpahn Ranch and witnesses their indoctrination techniques. After attending the killings at the Sharon Tate house she flees Spahn Ranch but the Manson Family keeps her daughter in their custody, knowing that this will force her to return. Her daughter and all of the other children are taken by Social Services during a raid on Spahn Ranch after Manson burns municipalearthmoving equipment that he believes is being used to make it harder for him to find the "bottomless pit" that he believes is described inRevelation 9 and "Revolution 9". The case is dropped due to an improperly executed warrant but confessions from Sadie and interviews with Kitty lead investigators to connect the Hinman, Tate, and LaBianca killings and issue warrants for the members of the Manson Family. Joey Dimarco andPaul Watkins explain to the detectives how the words "Helter Skelter" and "Pig" found written in blood at the crime scenes are related to the worldview of the Manson Family derived from passages in theBook of Revelation and the lyrics of theBeatles, thereby connecting Manson's philosophy to the murders themselves as acts intended to spark a race war he dubbed "Helter Skelter". Manson dismisses his counsel and represents himself at trial but is deemed unfit after disrupting proceedings. Linda Kasabian is given an immunity deal and ends up giving detailed testimony at trial. The accused members of the Manson Family are ultimately convicted of the murders but California repeals the death penalty in 1972, making them all eligible for parole.
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