A dramatised documentary about the wave of brutal killings that swept LA back in 1969, and the investigations and trials that eventually led to the conviction of Charles Manson and several members of his 'family'. Based on the book of the same name by prosecuting DA Vincent Bugliosi, it's hardly surprising that the movie is factually reliable, although having been cut down to half its original length (it was first shown as a two-part telefilm), it inevitably omits many important details, such as the fact that one of the defence lawyers was killed by the 'family' during the trial. More disturbingly, it never really examines the generally confused and shifting moral climate in which the murders took place: the sympathy that Manson won from various far outposts of the counter-culture is totally ignored, while the lackadaisical and incompetent methods of the police investigations are barely mentioned. Still, it's thankfully low on gore, and (for an enormously complicated story) told with sufficient narrative simplicity to remain gripping, even though the premise that Manson and his right-hand woman Susan Atkins were mad is too often signalled by ludicrously widened staring eyes. GA
Review by Filmthreat.com
When I was eight or so, I used to check out my parent's books and look through the pictures and read the captions. The most freaked out I've ever been was looking through the book Helter Skelter about Charles Manson and his murders. I was looking for pictures of scenery or whatever and found graphic pictures of randomly murdered bodies, where the killers seemed to have stabbed everybody about as many times as humanly possible and then wrote a bunch of offensive words in their blood. Please God let your children watch "Terminator 2" if they have to but keep them away from a hard back copy of "Helter Skelter."
Later when I was maybe fifteen, I woke up in the middle of the night and only managed to catch the last thirty seconds of this movie where Charles Manson is rocking autistically in his cell and then on the beat turns his head and gives the most frightening glare in the history of cinema. Steven Railsback looked amazingly like Manson and again I was spooked to the core. There should be a law against showing this movie at night.
Forget "Silence of the Lambs," forget "Carrie," forget "Night of the Living Dead." This is the drop dead scariest movie of all time. It contains bloody stabbings and shootings, orgies, racism, insanity, drugs, and a bunch of giggling, brain washed, head shaven, amoral girls willing to do anything for a grimy looking creepy psychopath with a messianic complex. The fact that it's true leaves you drained with every ugly, random, low and base fear you ever had. Manson was a failed musician (He tried out for The Monkees), but he should have just published some kind of primer about how to pick up chicks and perhaps thirty or so lives would have been saved.
This TV movie is essentially just a fairly well done Law and Order episode. The guy that plays prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi (George DeCenzo) even looks and sounds a lot like that show's equivalent played by Michæl Moriarty. The Manson case probably should have been Tipper Gore and the PMRC's exhibit number one, as Manson converted LSD, The Beatles' White Album, Christianity, Scientology, and a song about an amusement park slide into a race war of biblical proportions that would eventually leave him ruling the world from his Dune Buggy in the desert. How can you take The Road Warrior seriously after running into this arbitrary dementia? These guys even killed one of their defense lawyers. All the girls are these random zombies and every one of them seemed to have like eight aliases. If they got around to it they were going to knock of Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and Steve McQueen . Manson was probably right when he decided the best way to knock the tar out of the American system was to start going after rich celebrities. The trial took longer than any in the recorded annals of American crime, which was a pretty amazing feat for the objectionist stalling lawyer Irving Kanarek, Manson's defender, whose name is changed here. The thing lasted forever, the defense didn't really argue anything, and the jury probably made up their minds about thirty seconds after seeing Manson enter the court room.
The big question as I see it is why? Not why they committed the murders. Why should you watch this stuff or read the book? Is there a valid reason for our morbid curiosity? Do we gain anything by spooking ourselves beyond belief? I suppose the whole purpose of the horror genre is to be a bit cathartic, and I sure prefer Wes Craven and those other madmen with vivid nightmares making movies instead of plotting world domination. Actually, it's amazing more people in the world don't get fed up with their poverty and anonymity and start knocking off a few pigs themselves. I guess that's why we have the Jerry Springer show now. If I ever have kids, they'll get to see South Park: Bigger Longer and Uncut about 700 times before I let them near this stuff, and I don't care how rich I get, you won't be finding me with a house in the Hollywood Hills.
OUR WORLD FAMOUS SERIAL KILLER MERCHANDISE : Scroll down to see the many true crime and serial killer products that we sell. Click on any item that is currently available to view more details or purchase an item. If you are interested in buying items in bulk, please contact us for information and wholesale prices. Our products have been featured in the Boston Globe, Penthouse Magazine, Fox News and newspapers/magazines around the world. Many of our items are also in the private collection of many celebrities (Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Joe Coleman and Lloyd Kaufman just to name a few). We are always adding new items so check back often for more morbid merchandise. There are less than 500 2007 Serial Killer Calendars left, and we do not expect these to last long.
SERIES 1 OF THE NEW SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes 25 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more! These cards are sure to be an instant collectors item so get yours now before they are sold out!
PRICE : $25
SERIES 2 OF THE NEW SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes 25 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more! These cards are sure to be an instant collectors item so get yours now before they are sold out!
PRICE : $25
SERIES 3 OF THE NEW SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes 25 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more! These cards are sure to be an instant collectors item so get yours now before they are sold out!
PRICE : $25
COMPLETE SET OF ALL 75 SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes all 75 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more!
PRICE : $75
THE RARE 2007 SERIAL KILLER CALENDAR
The 2007 Serial Killer Calendar features the dark art of Nico Claux (the "Vampire of Paris"). This serial killer collectors item has been featured in magazine and newspapers around the world. There are now less than 400 Serial Killer Calendars left for sale. When these are gone, you will not be able to buy them anywhere. Click the image to the left for more details.
PRICE : $20
THE NEW & IMPROVED 2008 SERIAL KILLER CALENDAR
Here it is folks. The brand new 2008 Serial Killer Calendar. This new edition is twice as big as the 2007 and contains artwork from Nico Claux and seven new dark artists. You can pre-order your copy today. These editions are extremely limited so get yours before they are gone forever.
PRICE : $25
SERIAL KILLER WALL POSTER
The giant Nico Claux wall poster is the ONLY serial killer poster in the world. This movie size poster features paintings of nine of Nico's most well known killers. This poster will only be printed once and supplies are quickly running out. When these are gone, you will not be able to buy them anywhere.
PRICE : $25
COMPLETE SET OF ALL 12 JOHNNY MACHINE PRINTS
These 8X10, high quality prints by Johnny Machine include all artwork from his amazing "The Murderers" Collection. These include images of Fish, Gein, Dahmer, Bundy, Gacy, and many more! These prints are of the highest quality and are perfect for framing. This is a nice addition to any true collectors art gallery.
PRICE : $20
MARK STINSON SERIAL KILLER CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features the artwork of Mark Stinson (from Void Pulp Press). The clock displays a collection of Marks most stunning serial killer artwork (including Andrei Chikatilo, H.H. Holmes, Richard Ramirez, Albert Fish, John Wayne Gacy, David Berkowitz and Ted Bundy).
Price : $35
ALBERT FISH WALL CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features two chilling paintings of the child eating monster. The painting in the foreground is done by Nico Claux (otherwise known as the Vampire of Paris) while the full-body background painting was done by our newest artist, Johnny Machine).
Price : $35
JOHN WAYNE GACY WALL CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features the best painting of John Wayne gacy (the killer clown) we have ever seen. This painting was created for us by the talented Johnny Machine. Gacy became notorious as the "Killer Clown" because dressedin a clown suit and makeup, under the name of "Pogo the Clown."
Price : $35
CARL PANZRAM WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Carl Panzram. This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Chuck Hodi. Carl Panzram (June 28, 1891 – September 5, 1930) was an American serial killer. While imprisoned, Panzram wrote an articulate autobiography about his life and his descent into crime.
Price : $35
TED BUNDY WALL CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features the best painting of Ted Bundy we have ever seen. This painting was created for us by the talented Johnny Machine. Theodore Robert 'Ted' Bundy (November 24, 1946 – January 24, 1989) was one of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history.
Price : $35
ED GEIN WALL CLOCK WITH FOUR PAINTINGS
This wall clock features four seperate paintings of the cannibal Ed Gein. This artwork was created by Johnny Machine, Chuck Hodi and Gerard Torbitt. Edward Theodore Gein (August 27, 1906 – July 26, 1984), was an American serial killer.
Price : $35
DENNIS RADER (THE BTK KILLER) WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Dennis Rader (The BTK killer). This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Chuck Hodi. Dennis Lynn Rader (born March 9, 1945) is an American serial killer who murdered at least 10 people in Sedgwick County (in and around Wichita), Kansas, between 1974 and 1991.
Price : $35
DAVID BERKOWITZ (SON OF SAM) WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features David Berkowitz (The Son of Sam). This artwork was created by the talented Johnny Machine. David Richard Berkowitz (Born: June 1, 1953), better known by his nickname Son of Sam, is an American serial killer who confessed to killing six people.
Price : $35
RICHARD RAMIREZ WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Richard Ramirez (The Nightstalker). This artwork was created by the talented Johnny Machine and Chuck Hodi. Ricardo "Richard" Muñoz Ramirez (born February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas) is a convicted serial killer awaiting execution in California.
Price : $35
JEFFREY DAHMER WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Jeffrey Dahmer. This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Gerard Torbitt. Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was an American serial killer. He murdered at least 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991 (with the majority of the murders occurring between 1989 and 1991).
Price : $35
GERARD TORBITT'S ALBERT FISH WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Albert Fish. This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Gerard Torbitt. Albert Hamilton Fish (May 19, 1870 – January 16, 1936) was an American serial killer and cannibal. He was also known as the Gray Man, the Werewolf of Wysteria and possibly the Brooklyn Vampire.
Price : $35
SERIAL KILLER STICKERS SET
This set of 30 high y quality stickers by Mark Stinson (head of Void Pulp Press) include Albert Fish (with dinner plate), Ted Bundy (with VW Bug) and Richard Ramirez (with pentagram). We will be releasing new sets all year so check back soon. Not all stickers will be reprinted so you will want to buy each set to have a complete collection.
PRICE : $15
SERIAL KILLER TEESHIRTS
These shirts are now available but supplies are very limited. Use the buy now buttons below to purchase the black Nico Claux Tee Shirt. This shirt features eight of Nico's most famous paintings (Ted Bundy, Albert Fish, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Ramirez, David Berkowitz, Charles Manson and Ed Gein). The shirts come in four sizes.
THE ONE OF A KIND SERIAL KILLER ACTION FIGURES
This rare collection of serial killer action figure are all hand crafted by artist David Johnson. Each figure is six inches tall, hand cast in resin and comes mint in packaging. Currently we are selling the Jeffrey Dahmer action figure, the Ed Gein action figure and the OJ Simpson action figure. These are truly a very rare collectors items and are very limited so get yours before they are gone forever.
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THE SERIAL KILLER CALENDAR STREET TEAM
Do you want Serialkillercalendar.com to continue producing the best morbid merchandise on the internet? Then help us spread the good word of gore by becoming part of our massive Street Team members. What is a street team? Street Team members post links to our site on blogs, message boards, websites and get our message to the masses. Thanks to our street team, serialkillercalendar.com is now a household name. So grab your street team badge on the left and read below for some things you could do to help us take over the world... uhhh... I mean, to help us advertise. Yeah, that's what I meant.
1. POST A LINK TO US ON WIKIPEDIA.COM
Wikipedia is a great source for random information but for some reason they keep taking our links off their site. So we need our faithful Street Team members to flood Wikipedia with links to serialkillercalendar.com on every page that has anything to do with serial killers or mass murderers.
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Myspace has been very good to us. In the last six months, we have received well over 9000 friend requests. Help us get even more in 2007 by posting weekly bulletins to all your friends and asking them to do the same. Together, we will take over myspace and then... the WORLD!. Man, I have to stop saying that out loud.
3. BLOGS, MESSAGE BOARDS AND FORUMS
Every link to Serialkillercalendar.com gets us seen more by the masses. Post text or banner links to our site in as many places as you can find. Pottery.com? KittensAreCute.net? Sure, why not. Even old farts and feline lovers can enjoy our morbid masterpieces.
4. PUBLIC VANDALISM = POWERFUL ADVERTISING
Legally speaking we would never encourage our street team members to " Spray Paint SerialKillerCalendar.com on the side of their local court house " or " create millions of SerialKillerCalendar.com stickers and stick them on local cop cars. " This would be wrong. Of course, if you do help us advertise in a unconventional way, we would love to see the photos of it.
5. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DID FOR US
Send us an email to let us know what you are doing to help spread the word of serialkillercalendar.com. We will be adding a huge section on our site displaying the street team members that help us the most. So start telling the masses and let us know what you are up to.
Thanks again to all our wonderful street team crew and keep up the good work. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for new street team projects, contact James Gilks at madhatterdesign@gmail.com
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