Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Though on the surface, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood looks like a fun romp starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, the movie is — true to Tarantino form — hiding a dark secret. The third member of the main cast is Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, the same Sharon Tate who was targeted and subsequently murdered by Charles Manson and the Manson family.
And sure enough, Charles Manson himself turns up in the flick, played by Damon Herriman. Reviewers who have seen the film have called out Margot Robbie’s lack of lines to its use of exploitation perhaps hurting the Manson aspect of the storyline. But if you were looking for a history lesson from Quentin Tarantino, you’re probably barking up the wrong tree: from Inglorious Basterds to Django Unchained, the director/writer has been playing fast and loose with history his whole career.
That said, giving yourself a more thorough education in the Manson Family and their many horrible crimes is a worthwhile endeavor, whether you’re heading to theater to see Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, or are just coming back, wondering how much you saw on screen is real. With that in mind, here’s a guide to some of the best documentaries about the Manson Family currently on streaming — with a particular focus on those that include the Manson women, one aspect Tarantino seems to have left on the cutting room floor.
'Inside the Manson Cult: The Lost Tapes'
Fox’s deep dive into the Manson family explores this true crime saga like never before. Culled from over 100 hours of footage and narrated by Liev Schreiber, Inside the Manson Cult dives into Spahn’s Ranch, the home of the Manson family. The two-hour documentary features interviews from lesser known members like Catherine “Gypsy” Share and Dianne “Snake” Lake as well as authorities who worked on the case. If you’re looking for something deeper than just a cursory explainer, this is it.
'Truth and Lies: The Family Manson'
ABC’s two-hour special is a bit by the books, but it does offer a good guide to how the cult came to be, and how it led to the horrific murder of Sharon Tate. The highlight is an interview with Manson, giving a rare glimpse into the mind of a madman.
'1969,' "Manson Girls"
Each episode of this docuseries focuses on a different aspect of a historic year in American history: 1969. But in between specials on the moon landing and Woodstock is an episode dedicated to the murderous followers who would become known as the Manson Girls. Among other documentaries about the Manson Family, this one stands out because it focuses on the Manson women as much as it focuses on Manson himself.
'Manson's Girl'
Manson’s Girl offers a deep dive into Susan Atkins, a.k.a. “Sexy Sadie,” one of Manson’s followers who was heavily involved in eight of the Manson killings. Atkins was a devoted follower of Manson and claimed she helped him enact these murders to start “Helter Skelter,” an apocalyptic race war Manson believed would happen. Manson’s Girl can get a bit too daytime TV at moments, but it’s a solid 40-minute deep dive into one of the most terrifying members of the cult.
'Life After Manson'
This special dives into the life of Patricia Krenwinkel, a member of the Manson Family who was heavily involved in its crimes. For her participation in the murders Krenwinkel was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Now 66 years old, Krenwinkel looks back on her crimes in this documentary. Life After Manson is the only title on this list to follow a member of the Family reflecting on their past crimes, and for that alone it’s worth watching.
