THE MANSON FAMILY

THE MANSON FAMILY

Back in the mid-nineties, I acquired a VHS cassette with the words CHARLIES FAMILY scrawled on its white sticky label. It was of course a bootleg work in progress print of an ambitious project by independent film maker Jim VanBebber. The maverick Ohio born director tackling the thorny subject of the infamous 1969 Manson Family murders would prove to be a potent mix even if the project’s eventual completion would take 15 years or so.

Funded at times by the directors own blood from regular blood bank deposits, seeing the venture through nearly cost him his sanity. But pursuit of his dream eventually paid off and in 2003 VanBebber finally unleashed his visceral masterpiece under its official guise - THE MANSON FAMILY…

The films limited theatrical run in the UK invoked the so called critic’s wrath who seemed particularly disturbed by the daringly vicious climatic scenes. Despite this, DVD distribution followed with Anchor Bay notably releasing a double disc special edition package. To mark the movies 10th Anniversary however, Severin Films have paid the ultimate respect by releasing a newly spruced up High Definition Blu-ray sourced from the original negative and bustling with Bonus Material.

After inserting the disc I was instantly treated to quite possibly the best Menu Screen ever! The options of PLAY MOVIE; CHAPTER SELECTION (of which there are 12) AUDIO SET UP (giving us the DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 along with access to a previously unreleased commentary track by director Jim VanBebber) and an EXTRAS chapter crammed with delights option were customary enough – but the hallucinogenic kaleidoscope imagery conjured from the movie that blossomed above these choices was mesmerizingly trippy in itself!

As the movie started, my appetite was whet further. The surrealistic images of the opening title sequence in which flower petals wilt under the pressure of descending droplets of blood appeared nothing short of dazzling in its new transfer.

For those of you who are unaware, VanBebber’s movie doesn’t simply recreate the events leading up to, and including, the Tate/La Bianca murders. He interweaves a contemporary (1996) docudrama style in which various Family members are interviewed in the present day by fictional Tabloid news TV presenter Jack Wilson. Played by real life anchor-man Carl Day, Wilsons’ show "Crime Scene" breathes new life into Manson phenomenon.

We have Tex Watson (Marc Pitman), Manson lynchpin and main murderous protagonist turned Prison Deacon. Then there is Patty Krenwinkel, brought to life by a quite intoxicating performance by Leslie Orr. Sadie Atkins (Maureen Allisse) contributes along with the youngest of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Leslie van Houten (Amy Yates). Michelle Briggs also delivers a hugely credible performance loaded with apprehension, hysterics and remorse as Linda Kasabian. The fictional host cannily endorses VanBebber’s intention of focusing on, "...the kids that put the knives and bullets into the victims..." as oppose to merely concentrating Charlie himself. Even so, rumours of the Crime Scene episode has provoked a trio of drug addled Manson fanatics into developing a plan to hand out a ‘Sharon Tate style ass-whooping’ to Wilson who they believe is tarnishing their messiahs name in his avid quest for ratings.

The movie then innovatively flits between the ‘actual’ events of 1969 and the 1996 documentary. Interspersed with this is the all-out unadulterated fictional narrative of the junkie Mason-ites, 1996.

VanBebber handles the vicarious elements brilliantly. A rape sequence is devoid of ANY nudity and is indeed horrific. And while the climax is drenched in blood, a touch of restraint and respect is employed when it comes to showing the murder of Sharon Tate herself.

The result is a 95 minute melting pot of sordid sex, debauched drug use and sadistic violence that is so inimitably intense it cannot fail to etch itself into the psyche…

Given the striking authenticity of the 1969 material depicting the Family in all their spaced out, orgiastic and subsequently murderous glory, it is understandable why folk found the inclusion of the ‘modern’ Manson activist storyline a little unwelcome. ("What is this crap?" questions actress Leslie Orr when she initially witnessed the new subject matter in one of the Bonus documentaries…) VanBebber has rationalized on numerous occasions his decision for this encompassing fictional narrative - and for my money it is justified.

With his CHARLIES FAMILY project in limbo due to lack of finances, a short film aiming to showcase how his film company, Asmodeus Productions, had evolved and honed their film making skills was fashioned as a means of attracting the required funds. MY SWEET SATAN was a 19 minute movie concerning itself with the fated life of self-titled Satanist Ricky Kasslin. The willingness of a new wave of punk rock kids to offer their free services to the short film in order to help VanBebber realise his vision was inspirational to the director. These kids’ allegiance to Charles Manson resonated with the director and became the catalyst for VanBebber’s secondary plot.

There is a narcotic theme that feeds both narratives within the picture. In particular, the LSD drenched sex orgies that infuse the first hour of the movie make for compulsive viewing and truly exhibit VanBebber’s unique skills as a film maker. Exuberant visuals merged with the echoed soundtrack combine to produce some powerful mind bending sequences. The drugs continue but in an altogether more seamy manner when the 1996 Manson-ites fuel up before going on their revenge mission. Set within the pallid confines of their squalid apartment, graphic images courtesy of needles shooting the chemical contents of their syringes convey a more sullied approach to getting high…

With the aforementioned Anchor Bay DVD being widely regarded as an impressive release, Severin Films really had their work cut out if they were going to produce a superior edition.

Starting with the movie itself the Blu-ray contains a quite stunning print. The HD transfer from the original negative is nothing short of spectacular. Considering so much effort went into the drug induced psychedelic aesthetic, the vivid vibrancy of extravagant colours is at times breath-taking. As the movie starts to move toward its sinister climax, the infamous night time ‘dog blood crucifixion orgy scene’ with its liberal meld of crimson liquid licentiously decanted and lapped up off flesh as bonfires rage is yet another lurid sequence that effervesces off the screen.

The lifelike vintage footage from the 1960’s authenticity is enhanced via the efforts made with the 1080p transfer while the fetid habitat of the present day Manson activists is distinctly coveys an era as far away from the love generation as you are ever likely to see.

So with an undeniable upgrade in visual quality safely in the bag, what is there to report on the discs Bonus Material?

For starters, the two generous documentaries that feature on Anchor Bays’ DVD are included. First off is the essential accompaniment to the movie in the form of THE VANBEBBER FAMILY (75 mins). Here VanBebber, along with various cast and crew members, divulge the thorough warts and all inside story about the hurdles the movie had to overcome before being completed. It surpasses a mere ‘making of’ documentary with the Leslie Orr especially showing as much zeal for the project as her character Patty had for her long haired messiah! Quite rightly, a liberal amount of screen time is given to an ever so slightly inebriated VanBebber whose almost vitriolic despising of The Family coupled with the drive to put out the most "truthful" piece of Manson related celluloid answered any critics who thought he was simply sensationalizing the shocking murders. No stone is left unturned as VanBebber and co address every aspect of the movie in a truly absorbing documentary.

Next up is IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST (73 mins), the 1997 documentary filmed at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal. It proves to be a wonderful snapshot of the era. At a time when the envelope pushing SUBCONCIOUS CRUELTY was vying for financing it meant its creator, Karim Hussain, spiritedly treated festival goers to an animated live running commentary as the silent ‘work print’ graced the silver screen. Then there was the 30 minute shocker from Nacho Cerda, AFTERMATH, whose screening appeared to divide fans as vehemently as the female genitalia featured in the movies shocking climax. A substantial portion of ITBotB time is bequeathed to the refined dialogue from Richard Stanley as he address’s the dubious upshots of DUST DEVIL and HARDWARE.

The aforementioned audio commentary with a somewhat reluctant VanBebber did NOT feature on Anchor Bays disc. Possibly due to the directors seeming reluctance to revisit his labour of love, the track translates as a little disjointed with regular portions of information repeated from the superior documentaries on the disc.

One of the facets of TMF that has always resonated with me was its musical score. Consisting of subtle spaced out and haunting melodies, groovy 60’s rock before finishing with crushing Heavy Metal, the soundtrack complimented the differing zeitgeists of the movie brilliantly. The man responsible for these uniquely diverse compositions is a certain Phillip H. Anselmo. He is a musician who myself and Stu have collectively applauded due to his phenomenal output of heavy music in various guises over the last couple of decades. Considering his knowledge of Horror movies is nothing short of encyclopaedic, a recent 10 minute interview with Anselmo is a welcome inclusion on Severin’s disc. Revelations of his musical contributions and financial support to TMF project when it was one of its many states of limbo make for a highly informative, if an all too diminutive, interview addition.

Another 12 minute ‘interview’ the disc could have easily omitted is with Charles Manson himself. More accurately the CHARLES MANSON INTERVIEW segment is simply crudely spliced together excerpts from the CHARLES MANSON SUPERSTAR film whereby Anton Lavey’s ex-Son in Law, Nikolas Schreck, questions an incarcerated Charlie back in 1989. At least we get to hear Manson liken himself to Satan in his own words I guess!

And so onto a truly eagerly anticipated segment - the new short film from VanBebber. GATOR GREEN has been described by the director himself as having "some political subtext, but basically a monster movie" and it’s hard to argue with that summation. I have to say I was rather disappointed with GG. It was probably the schlockiest of the director’s efforts to date as the 16 minute tale of ‘Cobra Snake Wine’ and a ravenous swamp dwelling reptile was liberally greased with a comedic atmosphere. Even the initial sound mix seemed a little harsh and after the unbridled heights the main feature scaled, GG left me a little mystified.

A 14 minute Deleted Scenes chapter is made up of some rare but barely watchable footage due to it being sourced from poor quality video tape.

Finally, we get a selection of Red and Green Band trailers from 2003 and present day.

I have watched THE MANSON FAMILY movie many MANY times and I will undoubtedly watch it many times more. Severin’s disc has really breathed new life into a disturbingly fascinating movie. Retailing at under £8, this really is a steal. Creepy Crawl to you retailer of choice and pick up a copy NOW!!!

Review by Marc Lissenburg


 
Released by Severin Films
Region All
Rated 18
Extras :
see main review
Back