Charles Manson might not have been the Devil, but he certainly made a big impact on American culture and politics. His dark influence during the 1960s intertwined with the chaos of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. Manson led a cult known as the Manson Family, composed mostly of young, impressionable followers. They were coerced into committing brutal acts of violence, marking a chilling chapter in history that continues to fascinate people. Beyond the gruesome details of his crimes, Manson became a symbol of America’s darker tendencies, a topic still discussed through parodies, films, and true crime shows more than 50 years after the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders.
In 2019, journalist Tom O’Neill released “CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties.” Initially, he was just tasked with exploring how the murders affected Hollywood, but two decades of research led him to uncover a web of intricate connections often ignored. O’Neill asserts that the full story of Manson has never been properly told.
Filmmaker Errol Morris took an interest in O’Neill’s work even before the book was published. He interviewed O’Neill, given their shared interest in challenging mainstream narratives. Morris is known for probing deep into complex stories, questioning conventional wisdom with a unique lens. His documentary, “Chaos: The Manson Murders,” serves as a concise overview of O’Neill’s findings. In the film, Morris chronicles Manson’s rise to infamy from 1967 to 1971, showcasing how he ensnared a group of young women into his delusional world. This journey highlights the absurdity of how someone like Manson could gain such influence.
Morris visually replicates the feeling of sifting through countless case files, full of names and dates, intertwined with interviews and archival footage. The sheer volume of media surrounding Manson’s story— from crime scene reports to interviews with former cult members—paints a vivid picture of a society deeply disturbed by Manson’s actions. The film isn’t just about the murders but also questions how a man with a criminal past could persuade others to commit violence on his behalf.
O’Neill’s book challenges the official narrative presented by lead prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, who claimed Manson orchestrated these crimes as part of a twisted plan to spark a race war. According to O’Neill, there are signs that support this notion, suggesting there’s more to the story than previously accepted.
While Morris’s adaptation supports O’Neill’s ideas, it doesn’t definitively prove them. Instead, it invites viewers to consider various alternative theories that emerge from the history. Strange connections with government programs, like the CIA’s mind control experiments, hint that Manson’s story might intersect with broader societal issues. For instance, his parole officer disregarded Manson’s criminality, highlighting the failure of the system to contain him.
The film adopts a non-linear narrative, emphasizing the chaos surrounding Manson’s life. Morris balances competing theories and accounts, incorporating perspectives from both prosecution and former cult members, painting a complex picture of Manson’s influence. This fragmented storytelling reflects the chaotic reality of the situation, sparking curiosity and skepticism simultaneously.
“Chaos: The Manson Murders” serves as an informative introduction to the Manson case while encouraging viewers to explore O’Neill’s more comprehensive book for deeper insights. It’s a documentary that illustrates the unsettling complexity of Manson’s story without necessarily providing all the answers, leaving viewers to grapple with the darker aspects of human nature.
In the end, Morris has created a thought-provoking piece that mirrors the disordered reality of Manson’s time, highlighting that some mysteries may never be fully understood.
Grade: B
“Chaos: The Manson Murders” will be available to stream on Netflix starting March 7.
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