Rating: 
Summary: Unforgettable presentation of pure evil
Review: This is one of the videos I've been waiting for to come out on DVD for a long time.I watched this lengthy film in one-sitting one summer when I was living alone. I remember turning the light on at one point when the plot began to take a sinister turn. I was grateful for that light when the movie ended and it was dark outside. I seem to remember sitting quietly after the credits were over, and I contemplated what I had just seen. If you read my review of the Bugliosi/Gentry book, you'll see how powerfully the story itself affected me. Well, this presentation captures both the essence and the emotion of the narrative. It is both chilling and compelling. The acting, driven along by the astonishing Railsback, is among the best I've seen in a true-crime drama. I'm so glad the filmmakers didn't cut as many corners as they could have. They retain the essential story line and characters to assure that those who have seen the film know almost as much as those who have read the book. Frankly a litany of all the ways the police proved themselves to be incompetent was a tedium I would gladly forego. Both well-crafted and powerfully presented, this is a keeper, worth watching and re-watching.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable presentation of pure evil
Review: This is one of the videos I've been waiting for to come out on DVD for a long time. I watched this lengthy film in one-sitting one summer when I was living alone. I remember turning the light on at one point when the plot began to take a sinister turn. I was grateful for that light when the movie ended and it was dark outside. I seem to remember sitting quietly after the credits were over, and I contemplated what I had just seen. If you read my review of the Bugliosi/Gentry book, you'll see how powerfully the story itself affected me. Well, this presentation captures both the essence and the emotion of the narrative. It is both chilling and compelling. The acting, driven along by the astonishing Railsback, is among the best I've seen in a true-crime drama. I'm so glad the filmmakers didn't cut as many corners as they could have. They retain the essential story line and characters to assure that those who have seen the film know almost as much as those who have read the book. Frankly a litany of all the ways the police proved themselves to be incompetent was a tedium I would gladly forego. Both well-crafted and powerfully presented, this is a keeper, worth watching and re-watching.
Rating:
Summary: A DVD WORTH WAITING FOR
Review: THIS IS SO AWESOME THAT THEY ADDED OVER AN HOUR OF FOOTAGE THAT WAS NOT ON THE VHS TAPE. THE REMAKE THAT THEY MADE THIS YEAR 2004 WAS NOT AS GOOD. ALTHOUGH THEY DID REVEAL A COUPLE OF GOOD ITEMS ( THE WHOLE DEAL WITH DENNIS WILSON OF THE BEACH BOYS & THAT MANSON WENT & TALKED TO SHARON TATE A DAY BEFORE THE MURDER ON HER FRONT PORCH ). THIS 1976 DVD IS A MUST HAVE FOR ALL TRUE CRIME FANS.
Rating: 
Summary: They made us wait and still missed the mark
Review: Well, FINALLY the studio released this title on DVD. Thankfully they released it as the original TV version rather than rehashing the old (and disappointing) Key Video version. But WHY couldn't it be released in its original, full, uncut format for the DVD? Even the longer TV version is still edited somewhat. And there are no special features at all. Surely there could have at least been some kind of documentary, interviews with old cast members, follow-up on who and where the remaining Family members are even still today, etc. WB had the opportunity to launch a great DVD here and they dropped the ball. Not to glorify the Hinman/Tate/LaBianca murders, but scores of us from the 70s still remember the impact of this movie in a time when we weren't so desensitized to violence and in strict terms of a film it's an enthralling time capsule. On the film's own merits and the fact that it's the original TV version, I give the DVD 4 stars. I give the studio a thumbs down for not going the extra step with it. Still recommended for purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Finally out, and not a pale imitation like 2004
Review: Well, it's finally out. About time, although it will probably be supplanted by the recent inferior CBS remake this year. Shame, really, as this is a closer version to the book than that horrible Sweeps Month attempt. After viewing both, I must disagree with the recent critics reviews. Railsback plays Manson far more convincing, and even though many complain now that DiCenzo plays a "paint-by-numbers" version of Bugliosi, Vince himself comes off very similar (in real life) to this version. Sorry, CBS, even having Vince at the end of your "event" did not help. Features? Well, none, really, which is a shame, but what could you put on there? Geraldo's Manson special from over a decade ago? Pages and pages of court documents? The stupidest idea I heard was a "Where Are They Now?" bit -- honestly. Maybe the actors, yes, but the actuals? Please. The extra hour of footage, normally lopped off by TBS (who used to show it A LOT) and the other broadcasters is fine enough with me. Don't know what you could have added to this, as a director's commentary seems out of place, interviews with the cast -- well, memories tend to fade that far out. Footage of Manson speaking just adds to the bizarre aura he still has, and frankly I'm tired of hearing him speak what was once known as the English language (I don't know what to call what he does when he opens his mouth without offending many). Nothing beats the book, but if you need visual, this is the best one. Not definitive; that's what books are for, remember? Not for the squeamish, for sure, as some of the material is very disturbing, but with the "extra" hour of material, the purchase is cheap and worth it. Besides, real life can be more distubring. Almost 30 years later, it is still as close to the book as anyone will ever come. That's definitive enough for me.
Rating:
Summary: Faithful adaptation of book
Review: When this first aired in 1976 on CBS-TV, it was the first made-for-TV film to really push the envelope in terms of graphic violence. But rather than detract from the film, making it more little more than a slasher pic, it brought an element that made it terrifying, and all the more real, which it truly was. A faithful teleplay held-up by excellent performances headed by George Dicenzo as Bugliosi and Steve Railsback giving the performance of his career as Manson. The only reason why I did not give this five stars is because of the group who performs cover versions of the Beatles' songs in this film. To put it quite simply, it is execrable. And a serious drawback to an otherwise outstanding film.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the complete movie!!
Review: Yes, this is the complete version of "Helter Skelter" at close to 200 minutes and not the heavily cut video release that most of us have. I, for one, can't wait to see this film again as it scared the Hell out of me in 1976. In my opinion, this is still Steve Railsback's best performance on screen. Tom
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