Charles Manson Superstar

For some the Age of Aquarius ended at Altamont, but "peace and love" truly tanked months earlier when the communal “Manson family” slaughtered two houses full of people. The question of Manson's personal responsibility for the actions of his followers is the subject of filmmaker Nikolas Schreck's Charles Manson Superstar, which combines archival footage and stills, on-location visits to pertinent locales in the Manson family history, and--most importantly--extensive, sympathetic interview footage of Manson himself, shot at San Quentin Prison (according to an accompanying sheet, Schreck has since changed his mind about Manson's culpability). While the program does provide an overview of the Manson cult, as well as rubbernecking footage of old haunts and crime scenes, the centerpiece is definitely the interview with Manson, who offers an often incoherent (read: nuts) explication of his life and times (often in crude language), some 20 years after the killings. So is Manson a monster? Schreck seems to think so now according to the notes; irregardless, this is a fascinating if ultimately disquieting program. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Tribby)