Manson (film)

Manson is a 1973 documentary film by Robert Hendrickson and Laurence Merrick[1] about American criminal and cult leader Charles Manson and his followers, known as "The Family". Narrated by Jess Pearson, the film explores the origins of Manson and his disciples, and the lead-up and events of the Tate–LaBianca murders. It was initially distributed by American International Pictures, with re-releases handled by Tobann International Films.[2]

Manson
Film poster
Directed by
Written by
  • Joan Huntington
  • Laurence Merrick
Produced by
  • Robert Hendrickson
  • Laurence Merrick
Starring
Narrated byJess Pearson
Cinematography
  • Jack Beckett
  • Leo Rivers
Edited byClancy Syrko
Music by
Distributed byAmerican International Pictures
Release date
January 1973
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Content

The film deals with the "Manson family" and has many interviews with the members of the group, including Charles Manson, "Squeaky" Fromme, and Sandra Good.[3] It contains original footage of the Manson Family at their Spahn Ranch compound, Devil's Canyon, their Barker Ranch hideout in Death Valley, the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles and various other locations.[4]

Post release

When "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford, the Manson film was banned by United States district court Judge Thomas McBride in order to preserve Fromme's constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial. Robert Hendrickson's freedom of speech was thus set aside and the matter was taken by the ACLU to the Supreme Court.

Soundtrack music for the film was created by Brooks Poston and Paul Watkins, two former Manson associates. As well, music performed by the Manson Family can also be heard on the soundtrack.[5]

Accolades

It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[6][7][8]

Home Video

The film was released legitimately on VHS in 1987, but because of an alleged mafia plot Hendrickson spent much of the 1990s suing eBay for allowing bootleg dvd copies of the film to be released. The film has been released and sold in limited copies on DVD signed by Hendrickson on Amazon before his death in 2016.[9]

The documentary was sampled by American nu metal band Slipknot. The band sampled part of an interview with Corey Hurst for their song "742617000027", which appears on the band's debut album Slipknot (1999). In the interview, Hurst says, "The whole thing, I think it's sick."[10]

See also

References
  1. MUBI
  2. FilmAffinity
  3. Yuko, Elizabeth (26 July 2019). "Manson Family Movies: 11 Streaming Films Go Inside Terrifying 1969 Cult". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  4. Donaghey, River (20 November 2017). "Watch This Chilling Manson Documentary from 1973". Vice.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  5. Thomas, Bryan (June 9, 2015). ""Manson": The 1973 documentary that told us "We are what you have made us"". Nightflight.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  6. "Manson (1972)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on 25 March 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  7. Wood, Natalie; Wagner, Robert (1972). Documentary Winners: 1973 Oscars. Oscars (YouTube). Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  8. 1973|Oscars.org
  9. Federal Judge Hands EBay Victory in Copyright Lawsuit - Law.com
  10. "Slipknot's '742617000027' sample of Corey Hurst Interview scene in Manson". WhoSampled. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
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