Search - The Manson Family [Special Unrated Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Profanity, Drug Content, Gore Movie Release: 1997 DVD Release: 04/26/2005 Format: DVD Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Number of Discs: 2 Run Time: 4 hrs 13 mins Studio: MPI Home Video Members Wishing: 6 Genres: Crime, Horror, Docudrama, Crime Drama, True Crime See Also: The Manson Family

Filmmaker Jim Van Bebber, who earned a reputation as one of the most distinctive and uncompromising artists in underground horror with his low-budget feature Deadbeat at Dawn and a series of powerful short subjects and music videos, directed this disquieting look at some of the most brutal and infamous crimes of the 20th century. Jack Wilson (Carl Day) is a television reporter who in 1996 is working on a documentary about Charles Manson and the 1969 murders he was convicted of helping to mastermind. Manson (Marcelo Games) was a wandering ne'er do well with a long prison record when, in 1967, he was released and made his way to Los Angeles as the "Summer of Love" was getting into full swing. A charismatic aspiring musician, Manson soon attracted a flock of hangers-on who became known as "Charlie's Family." Thanks to Manson's tenuous friendship with Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson (Steve Riley) and their resourceful ability to "find" food and clothing, the family was able to keep body and soul together while Manson attempted to make a name for himself in the music business; meanwhile, Charlie's mostly female followers used sex and drugs to get what they needed or wanted from others, and would occasionally dive into dumpsters for food when all else failed. But what began as an exercise in neo-hippie collectivism centered around sex, drugs and good times began to take a sinister turn as Manson exerted a greater hold over the family, and used his leadership toward troubling ends, leading to rape, armed robbery, and gruesome violence. When Bobby (Van Bebber), a member of the family, was arrested for murder, Manson believed his apocalyptic prophesies of race war and worldwide catastrophe were coming true, and he organized a series of murders which he believed would throw the conflict into high gear, using his followers to do his bloody bidding. In production since 1988, The Manson Family was screened in rough cut form as Charlie's Family in 1997, but remained uncompleted until home-video outfit Blue Underground agreed to finance post-production, and the film received its official European premiere at the 2003 London FrightFest Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Marcelo Games - Charles Manson
Marc Pitman
Leslie Orr
Marueen Allisse
Amy Yates

Though many (including much of the cast and crew) may have doubted that Jim VanBebber's epic 16 mm film The Manson Family would ever see the light of a projector bulb given the film's notoriously plagued production history, the determined auteur thankfully held steadfast to his vision to create one of the most brutal and disturbing films of the new millennium. Released to DVD overseas by Anchor Bay UK in a feature-packed, two-disc set, The Manson Family arrives stateside with all of the bells and whistles of that special edition well in place thanks to the efforts of Dark Sky Films. Presented in its original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio, the transfer of The Manson Family offered here is virtually flawless -- offering vibrant colors, solid blacks, and even skin tones while simultaneously preserving the aged and well-worn look of the film that makes it actually appear as if it were filmed during the period in which it takes place. An English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix offers a deep, dynamic, and unsettling listening experience, and an additional English Dolby Digital Stereo mix also packs quite a punch. The sound design of The Manson Family plays a key role in keeping the viewer's discomfort level up throughout the running time, and no matter which track the viewer chooses, the tension rings through with remarkable clarity.

Of course, the only thing better than actually having the opportunity to see VanBebber's labor of love after all these years of anticipation is the chance to hear about the The Manson Family's curious production history firsthand -- and the bonus documentary "The VanBebber Family" offers just that. Through interviews with much of the cast and crew (the actor who played Manson, Marcelo Games, is sadly nowhere to be seen) viewers get an insightful look into not only VanBebber's unwavering vision and dedication to the project, but his sometimes unconventional but undeniably effective directing technique as well. Over the years, the production plagues that stalled the release of The Manson Family have become something of celluloid legend in certain cinematic circles, and "The VanBebber Family" offers a refreshingly honest look back at the production that proves especially satisfying. "The VanBebber Family" documentary offers much, much more than the typical making-of featurette (a "bonus" that all-too-often amounts to little more than an extended commercial on many DVDs), and producer David Gregory and editor Carl Daft deserve special mention for their efforts. Likewise, the "In the Belly of the Beast" documentary offers an equally fascinating look into some of the independent cinema's most fascinating and controversial filmmakers. In addition to watching even more revealing interviews with VanBebber (including a look at some of his early Super-8 films), fans of director Richard Stanley will no doubt relish the opportunity to hear the filmmaker speak in detail about his troubles in getting final cut on Dust Devil, as well as a chance to hear firsthand his unfortunate side of the story regarding the The Island of Dr. Moreau fiasco. A brief glimpse at Stanley's early production art for The Island of Dr. Moreau proves especially disheartening given the grim fate of John Frankenheimer's late-career misstep. An interview with Manson himself offers a rare look at the man who inspired the historical crimes, and a pair of theatrical trailers as well as production and behind-the-scenes still galleries make this release a must-have for VanBebber fans and true crime fans alike. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide