(2003) **1/2
We all know the story, it hasn’t changed. Charlie Manson leads a cult group called the Family. They live in Death Valley frolicking in a sea of sex, drugs and murder. Not as well acted or directed as the film Helter Skelter, but goes where it’s predecessor didn’t dare to go. This film acts out the murders in all their graphic, horrific, gory details. The stabbing scenes are so brutal that I actually wanted to look away. I really felt like this was as close a representation as possible to what those poor people went through. Their last minutes spent with a bunch of fucked up kids who had no respect for human life. It is summed up best in Susan Atkins’ own words as she referred to the murder of Sharon Tate, "I don't know how many times I stabbed and I don't know why I stabbed her," she said. "She kept begging and pleading and begging and pleading and I got sick of listening to it, so I stabbed her."
