The Manson Family Blu-ray Review

Severin Films presents "The Manson Family" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the rare 1.34:1 aspect ratio. Van Bebber's stylistic choices are evident in this presentation, characterized by deliberate image distressing and a grainy texture that might initially seem flawed without understanding his artistic intent. Shot in 16mm and video, the transfer maintains the inherent qualities of the smaller millimeter format—which naturally exhibits more grain and less sharpness compared to more modern HD video or big-budget film productions. This intentional distressing, achieved through manual techniques such as scratching the stock with kitty litter and digital effects, lends an aged, almost damaged aesthetic to the footage.

Given Van Bebber’s goal of emulating the appearance of a late 60s-era documentary with elements of found footage, the film features a predominant layer of grain interspersed with specks of dirt and hair. Instances where the image appears to jump off the reels add to this retro look, evoking the feel of old Grindhouse films. The undamaged portions of the footage, although maintaining a soft appearance due to the original shooting format, exhibit decent clarity. The overall muted color palette and thick grain underscore the intended historical and documentary style Van Bebber sought to capture. The execution of this vision, though seemingly choppy and degraded, remains true to the director's intent and creates an authentic period-specific viewing experience.

The Manson Family's Blu-ray audio presentation features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, delivering an immersive and hallucinatory soundscape. The auditory experience is characterized by static-filled chatter that dynamically utilizes the side channels, creating an unsettling atmosphere akin to a nightmarish carnival ride. This is particularly evident during the film's drug-fueled sequences, where sound effects envelop the listener, albeit sometimes appearing intentionally obfuscated to maintain the chaotic ambiance.

Despite the overall vintage and somewhat muted feel, the audio fidelity and dynamic range are commendable. The clearest audio elements are found within the quasi-documentary segments, including both contemporary interviews and supposed archival footage. These moments provide a sharp contrast to the rest of the sound mix, making dialogue discernible amidst the auditory chaos. Music and score integration is generally front-heavy, though it intensifies during psychedelic sequences, adding to the disorienting effect. Overall, the audio track offers a unique and period-authentic auditory experience that aligns with the film's unsettling narrative.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Manson Family" provide a comprehensive look into the making of the film and its broader context. The Audio Commentary with Director Jim Van Bebber offers an emotional and tangential dive into the film’s tumultuous production process, revealing significant background details. Gator Green is Van Bebber's latest short film, though it suffers from some digital noise. The Van Bebber Family is an extensive behind-the-scenes feature containing in-depth interviews with key cast and crew members. Additional content includes a candid Interview with Phil Anselmo, exploring his contribution to the film, and the unsettling Interview with Charles Manson, ensuring a chilling experience. The extras also embrace In the Belly of the Beast, a documentary on the 1997 Fantasia Film Festival. Lastly, various Deleted Scenes and multiple Theatrical Trailers round out a robust suite of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Jim Van Bebber: Insightful, sometimes emotional commentary with production background.
• Gator Green: Van Bebber's latest short film.
• The Van Bebber Family: Comprehensive behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Interview with Phil Anselmo: Discussion with the voice of Satan in the film.
• In the Belly of the Beast: Documentary on the 1997 Fantasia Film Festival.
• Interview with Charles Manson: Real interview with Charles Manson.
• Deleted Scenes: Rough cut scenes with an introduction by Van Bebber.
• Theatrical Trailers: Multiple promotional trailers for the film.

"The Manson Family," directed by Jim Van Bebber, is a haunting and chaotic exploration of Charles Manson and his infamous followers, blending mockumentary techniques, archival footage, and narrative storytelling. This film refuses to be pigeonholed, diving into a drug-fueled, psychedelic nightmare that deftly pieced together the disturbing nuances of Manson's manipulative influence. Van Bebber opts for a deliberate structural disarray, juxtaposing contemporary interviews with reenactments of historical events, often highlighting the contradictions between the characters' statements and their actions. This approach emphasizes the bewildering extent to which individuals were complicit in Manson's horrific acts, presenting both followers' grisly deeds and the ongoing fascination with them in modern times.

The narrative meticulously traces the evolution of Manson from a guitar-strumming hippie to a malevolent cult leader, showing how he attracted and controlled his devoted followers. Instead of focusing solely on the notorious Tate-LaBianca murders, the film delves deep into the relationships within the family, capturing their descent into violence. Scenes of rape, murder, and bizarre rituals are laid bare in an almost voyeuristic manner, malignantly fascinating the viewer while simultaneously generating profound abhorrence. The segments featuring reporters and current-day followers add a crucial layer, underscoring the persistent allure and danger of Manson's ideology.

From a technical standpoint, "The Manson Family" is an evocative visual and auditory experience. Its dizzying montage of archival footage, recreations, and staged interviews creates an immersive spectacle that mimics the hallucinogenic chaos of Manson's world. Van Bebber's unflinching gaze into the abyss of human depravity produces a powerful cinematic experience that's both mesmerizing and repulsive, making it an unforgettable, albeit disturbing, journey into one of America's darkest chapters. This film masterfully encapsulates a psychedelic bad trip, blurring lines between reality and nightmare, leaving an indelible mark on its audience.

"The Manson Family" Blu-ray is a visceral experience that provides an unsettling exploration of the psyche and inner workings of the infamous cult. Jim Van Bebber's film achieves a distinctive realism by presenting both audio and video with a deliberately degraded Grindhouse aesthetic. This stylistic choice, while giving the film a raw and authentic feel, mirrors the chaotic and disturbing nature of the Manson Family itself. The film does not shy away from depicting graphic violence, rape, and torture, elements which may make it challenging for some viewers to endure. However, these depictions are critical in immersing the audience into the psychological spiral the cult members experienced.

Technically, the Blu-ray offers a competent transfer that faithfully preserves the intended gritty visuals and soundscape. The extras included are peculiar yet incredibly insightful, offering a deeper understanding of the film's challenging production process and further contextualizing Van Bebber's creative choices. The narrative might be confusing to navigate at times, but it seems intentional, reflecting the disorienting and fragmented mindset of those involved in the cult. The film's unique perspective on the lasting impact of the Manson murders adds an additional layer of relevance, extending its chilling resonance into contemporary times.

It's hard to give a ringing endorsement to "The Manson Family," for it's quite a disturbing experience on multiple levels. I personally don't completely buy Van Bebber's assertion that he had no exploitative motivations whatsoever in getting this project done (which took him years, often against rather considerable odds), but at the same time there's no denying that there is a definite point of view here and that the results are quite chilling. This really is more an examination of the interior workings of the Manson cult rather than an out and out depiction of the horrific murders they committed, and there's some rather cogent points made about the ripple effect the Manson murders have had, continuing on (sadly) to our time. This isn't an easy film to watch, but it's one of the most visceral pieces I've experienced lately. If you have the stomach for it, "The Manson Family" comes Recommended.