Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind

Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind is a gripping, haunting, and in-depth documentary about one of the most notorious figures in American cult history - Charles Manson. Directed by Tom O'Dell, the film traces Manson's life and career in music, and provides a unique perspective on his enigmatic personality, his criminal activities, and his influence on popular culture.

Narrated by British actor Simon Wells, the film opens with a brief introduction to Manson's childhood, marked by poverty, neglect, and abuse, and his subsequent rise to power as the leader of a large, devoted community of followers known as the Manson Family. Drawing from extensive archival footage and interviews, O'Dell explores Manson's unusual artistic talents, particularly in the realm of music, and reveals how they helped him lure and manipulate his followers to do his bidding.

The film features interviews with some of Manson's closest associates, including Jeff Guinn, author of Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson, and Anthony DeCurtis, music critic and journalist, who offer insights into Manson's psyche and the significance of his music. Through their accounts, we learn about the eclectic mix of genres and influences that shaped Manson's musical vision, from folk and blues to rock and roll and the avant-garde. We also get a glimpse into Manson's creative process, and his use of music to promote his twisted philosophy of "Helter Skelter" - a race war that he believed would trigger the end of the world.

The film delves into the role of music in Manson's crimes, particularly the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders, which were committed by members of the Manson Family under his direction. O'Dell examines Manson's fascination with The Beatles' White Album, and how he twisted its lyrics and imagery to fit his own apocalyptic vision. The film also sheds light on Manson's connections to the music industry, and his failed attempts to launch a career as a recording artist, which culminated in the album Lie: The Love and Terror Cult, released in 1970.

Throughout the film, O'Dell interweaves archival footage of key moments in Manson's life with contemporary interviews with experts and survivors, including Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor in the Manson Family trial, and Dianne Lake, a former member of the group who provides a firsthand account of their daily life and rituals. Their testimonies lend weight to the film's overarching message, which is that Manson's music and charisma were potent tools of manipulation, and that his legacy continues to haunt pop culture, inspiring countless imitators and spreading a message of hate and violence.

Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind is a gripping, thought-provoking, and unsettling film that sheds new light on one of the most notorious figures in modern American history. It offers a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on Manson's life, music, and crimes, and raises important questions about the power of art and the influence of cults in contemporary society. Although the film deals with disturbing subject matter, it is never gratuitous or sensationalistic, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.