Charles Manson - Superstar
List Price:
Our Price: $12.44
You Save: $7.51 (38%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $6.95 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Charles Manson, James N. Mason, Zeena LaVeyDVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-09-17
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Screen Edge
Movie Reviews of Charles Manson - Superstar
Movie Review: A blunt curiosity
Summary: 2 Stars
A bumbling work, the 1989 documentary "Charles Manson - Superstar" attempts to portray Manson in sympathetic rays - a man whose philosophy was too revolutionary for the conservative American machine. The film hints he was a radical prophet jailed more for his beliefs rather than the murders committed by his cult of wayward kids. It's shockingly naive, lacking in knowledge of the crimes. A distractingly low-budget documentary forged with minimal skill, the film does provide rare on-camera access to Manson's unique ramblings, and he truly puts on a show for director/interviewer Nikolas Schreck.
For 60-plus minutes, we see Manson genuinely trying to make sense of his notoriety, stroking his graying goatee, staring into space before abruptly standing up to perform his now-legendary shtick. He's quite animated, doing a jig here, karate chop there, inching towards Schreck with a wink and a smile. It's a first-hand look at the Manson con, formed during endless decades of incarceration staring from the windows of numerous cells. There has never been a doubt as to his charisma, and he hovers over Schreck and mumbles, "You and I are connected. I can see we have a lot in common." You realize you are witnessing first-hand the very rap he used to entice numerous kids into his brood.
There's some good footage of the Barker Ranch compound in Death Valley, with several haunting shots of the abandoned vehicles and trash still remaining from the days the Manson commune lived there in 1969. There's some nice footage of what's left of Spahn Ranch circa 1989. Schreck's narration, stiff and pretentious, attempts to make intellectual sense of the Manson aura, at times connecting his influence to current movements including the skinheads. Sadly the narration, undoubtedly penned by Schreck, exposes what an amateur mess the documentary is. His exaggerated proclamations and insinuations serve as evidence as to the shallow perception fueling the work. It's fairly easy to see through the propaganda.
As many know, Schreck is the leader of the latest version of the Satanic Church started by the late Anton LaVey, and he's married to his daughter. Not sure what they are calling the group today, the Werewolf Order or the Left Hand Path. These counterculture movements were hip in the late 1960s and Manson devotee Susan Atkins was in fact a dancer in one of LaVey's San Francisco productions. This minor connection is documented in the film and supported by urban legends to create a "wow" factor for the uninformed. Schreck's awkward questions during the Manson interviews are harmless, possessing the power of lobbed cotton balls.
In addition, Schreck's knowledge of the crimes is shockingly ignorant. Then again, had he known the facts, would Manson have allowed him such access? Oh well, even as far back as 1989 it was genuinely known Manson was a major instigator in the LaBianca slayings, choosing the very house and victims himself. Today, additional evidence seems to point towards Manson visiting the Polanski/Tate household following the murders (and just a couple of hours before dawn) to inspect the crime scene. So for Schreck's documentary to attempt to portray Manson as an innocent bystander jailed for his beliefs causes the film to slide into the neighborhood of UFO abductions.
To Schreck's credit, he's gone on record to say his documentary was incorrect in assumption and he believes he was conned by Manson. Surprise, surprise.....A blunt curiosity, lacking skill or insight.
Summary of Charles Manson - Superstar
In 1969, he became one of history's infamous villains, presented by the media as evil incarnate. CHARLES MANSON SUPERSTAR sets the record straight after years of media disinformation, and features an exclusive interview with Manson which allows him to spDocumentary DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in my favorite movies
Alice in Wonderland (Disney Gold Classic Collection)Release date: 2000-07-04; DVD
Best price: $39.95
Peter Pan (Limited Issue)Release date: 1999-11-23; DVD
Best price: $39.97
Schindler's List (Widescreen Edition)UNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2004-03-09; DVD
Best price: $10.95
Price in other shops:
Charles Manson - SuperstarRelease date: 2002-09-17; DVD
Best price: $11.21
Price in other shops:
Kurt and CourtneyRelease date: 1999-09-28; DVD
Best price: $17.90
Sid & NancyRelease date: 2000-12-19; DVD
Best price: $13.74
Price in other shops:
The Quick and the DeadSTONE,SHARON; Release date: 1998-09-29; DVD
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops:
Pay It ForwardWarner Brothers; Release date: 2001-05-15; DVD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Mercury RisingRelease date: 1998-09-22; DVD
Best price: $9.41
Price in other shops:
Girl, InterruptedRYDER,WINONA; Release date: 2000-06-06; DVD
Best price: $6.49
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
The Familyby Ed Sanders
Da Capo Press; Published: 2002-11-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.55
Price in other shops:
What Happened After? Manson MurdersRelease date: 2001-10-10; DVD
Best price: $24.95
The Manson Fileby Nikolas Schreck
Amok Pr; Published: 1988-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $62.02
Manson Family MoviesRelease date: 2005-07-26; DVD
Best price: $13.00
Price in other shops:
The Shadow over Santa Susana: Black Magic, Mind Control & the Manson Family Mythosby Adam Gorightly
Creation; Published: 2009-08-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.54
Price in other shops:
Helter Skelter (Director's Cut)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-10-19; DVD
Best price: $7.50
Price in other shops:
Manson in His Own Words: The Shocking Confessions of 'The Most Dangerous Man Alive'by Charles Manson
Grove Press; Published: 1988-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.05
Price in other shops:
The Six Degrees of Helter SkelterECHO BRIDGE HOME ENT.; Release date: 2009-10-06; DVD
Best price: $8.11
Price in other shops:
The Manson Family (Unrated 2-Disc Special Edition)MPI HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2005-04-26; DVD
Best price: $16.47
Price in other shops:
Helter SkelterRAILSBACK,STEVE; Release date: 2004-04-20; DVD
Best price: $12.06
Price in other shops: