However, aside from some recently unearthed material and interviews with various Charles Manson acolytes, the project mostly reaffirms what is already known, while attempting to convey the lingering impact of the murders or explain the enduring fascination for 50 years. after.
The second hour summarizes that dynamic, focusing on Manson, his upbringing, and what might have motivated him psychologically to become a cult leader. However, that kind of deep immersion does at least as much to romanticize this “American Myth” as it does to demystify or deepen our understanding of it.
Manson moved to Berkeley, spent time in the Haight-Ashbury district, took LSD, yearned for fame as a musician, and learned advice from seeing the gurus in Golden Gate Park and Dale Carnegie’s course on how to make friends and influence people. For the most part, docuseries add to the archives of the Manson tradition primarily through high volume.
The format allows director Lesley Chilcott (who produced “An Inconvenient Truth”) to spend a little more time with Manson’s victims. There is also audio from director Roman Polanski’s lie detector test after the horrific murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, along with four other images, presented through creepy crime scene photographs.
At the same time, the filmmakers (extraordinary superhero producer Greg Berlanti is among the executive producers) augment the presentation with cheesy and unnecessary dramatizations to enhance the drama, showing feet ominously walking towards Polanski’s house, or a creaking door slowly. open.
According to development and marketing claims, it’s only fair to expect something else. Despite the discussion about the chaotic nature of the time, the collapse of the social order, and the increase in arms purchases that followed the murders in August 1969, “Helter Skelter” sparingly makes the connection between then and now.
The authors and experts interviewed participate in a discussion in the final chapter about whether Manson’s long-reported goal of triggering a racial war really motivated him. Citing his longing for fame and persistent fascination with him, author Jeff Guinn says, “The puppeteer played us.”
“Helter Skelter: An American Myth” premieres July 26 at 10 p.m. on Epix.
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