I don't know how accurate this series is but it's the most comprehensive collection I've seen or read. It's more than just about the murders but pulls back and looks at the myth behind manson. I think the negative comments about his show is more about that than anything else. Manson is an american myth. He knew it. He voiced that many times but his prophetic one liners couldn't be heard by some people. Manson was convicted of the murders without actually being on scene or facilitating the crime in any way but to this day I'll wager most people can't name who the actual participants were. The media force fed public is still obsessed with this runt of a man with a charm and big mouth who was about as ordinary you can get in many areas of this country. I think more than anything, it was the young girls around manson that attracted all the media attention and where the media goes so does the public. So when manson said, "you made me" I'm not sure if he meant the system or the media, or both.
'laurel canyon' and 'helter skelter' are both great documentaries about that time period though I take issue with some of the optics. For instance, I don't think there were as many people shocked about 'violent hippies' as they claim in the series. And, I think the pictures of the victims was exploitative and unnecessary. Still, it's a well produced show, and interesting story, and well researched.
'laurel canyon' and 'helter skelter' are both great documentaries about that time period though I take issue with some of the optics. For instance, I don't think there were as many people shocked about 'violent hippies' as they claim in the series. And, I think the pictures of the victims was exploitative and unnecessary. Still, it's a well produced show, and interesting story, and well researched.