When documentaries get released about monumental criminal cases that have the country, or maybe even the world, at the edge of their seats, you expect them to have groundbreaking production, go into every miniscule detail and, of course, answer all of your questions.
Netflix’s “Chaos: The Manson Murders” did none of those things.
Charles Manson was a criminal, musician and cult leader who led the Manson Family based in California during the hippie movement in the late 1960s and 70s. They were responsible for at least nine murders in Los Angeles between July and August 1969, including the murder of actress and model Sharon Tate.
The Manson Family started out with Manson himself and a few women who were essentially his groupies who he managed to brainwash with LSD, music and sex. Manson organized the killings, but never actually got his hands dirty — he directed his followers to do so in a psychedelic trance.
The documentary did a fine job of setting the scene here, explaining that people were attracted to his “good guy” persona — something he didn’t see in himself, but reflected to please the Family and keep them devoted to his “philosophy.” It doesn’t really dive into what his philosophy was, only noting toward the end that he was fascinated by Scientology, making it difficult to follow his motives throughout.
What bothered me the most, however, was how every crime scene photo was blurred. I understand that it was most likely due to the sensitivity of the case, but I’m watching to gain an understanding of the murders’ severity and history — not to be left in the dark, obscured by details that could have provided insight to the events that unfolded.
Additionally, each time an image appeared, it would jump around on the screen, and zoomed-in versions of the same image would overlap the original. It became incredibly frustrating because the constant movement made it impossible to focus on one thing — I ended up having to pause the documentary every time a new image appeared so I could evaluate what I was seeing.
Despite the complaints I’ve made thus far, there were some highlights that I grew to appreciate.
I’m a huge Beatles fan and I was shocked to find out Manson believed some of their songs on their 1968 album “The Beatles” — commonly referred to as the “White Album” — included coded messages that hinted at an impending race war and that he and the Family were destined to carry it out.
Songs like “Helter Skelter,” which translates to chaos and disorder, “Piggies” and “Revolution” seemed to stimulate these murders as hints to these songs were left at the crime scene, often written in the victims’ blood on the walls and throughout their homes. During Manson’s trial, his followers who weren’t convicted of murder protested outside the courthouse in support of Manson and the revolution that was “soon to come.”
While the Beatles had no idea their music was being used as a manifestation to kill — and obviously had no involvement in these murders — it still leaves a sour taste in my mouth knowing Manson changed the meaning of the “White Album” for many people, including myself.
I remember driving to school one morning and my dad told me how frightened he was when he read “Helter Skelter,” a book written by lead Prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi in 1974 — five years after the murders took place. At the time he was 15 years old, scared to death, reading this gory, true story late at night after everyone in his family had gone to sleep.
He recalls reading about a barking dog and, like a signal from Manson himself, a dog started barking outside, sending my dad’s teenage mind into a spiral of terror and blurring the lines between the book and reality. Over 50 years later, he still remembers exactly how that moment shook him.
I wish “Chaos” had that much of an impact on me.
With a story as twisted and interesting as this one, the documentary didn’t meet my expectations whatsoever. I didn’t know much about the Manson case prior to watching and I feel I’ve gained little knowledge other than the basic who, what, where, when and some other random facts about the case and time period.
Was Manson a deeply disturbed individual who committed unspeakable crimes? Yes. But, does his story deserve better production? Also yes.
Maybe I’ll gather the courage to read “Helter Skelter” one day to finally be able to understand the Family and Manson’s so-called God complex — but until then, my questions will linger and this unsettling mystery will continue to haunt me.
