Chief prosecutor of the Manson Family, Vincent Bugliosi, has his book HELTER SKELTER brought to the screen once again in this 2004 adaptation of his words. Originally adapted in 1976 for a made-for-TV drama by director Tom Gries, this version of events sees Jeremy Davies (29 PALMS) taking on the role of Charles Manson. While Gries' film of the tale focused primarily on the trial, this version from director John Gray takes a broader view, concentrating instead on the possible motives behind the actions of Manson and his "family." Brutally murdering actress Sharon Tate and her house guests in the summer of 1969, Manson and his followers acted under a misguided attempt to kick start a race war among the general population. Obsessed with The Beatles' WHITE ALBUM, Manson believed the band were speaking directly to him, and conducted his activities at their behest. Gray's film attempts to uncover the man behind the myth, offering a distressing portrait of one of America's most infamous crime figures.
