Stone takes on Manson?

By Eric Walkuski

Posted 17 years ago

Last Updated on July 26, 2021

Here’s a pairing for the ages: Oliver Stone and Charles Manson. I sure can picture it, given the excessive director’s penchant for controversial topics and infamous historical figures. While this isn’t set in stone (pun intended, I think), Variety is reporting that the NATURAL BORN KILLERS director is in talks with Vincent Bugliosi, author of “Helter Skelter” and prosecuting attorney on Manson’s trial, to bring the lawyer’s legendary book before cameras.

Of course, this wouldn’t nearly be the first time the story has been told, although it’s interesting to note it’s never gotten the major motion picture treatment. In 1976, Steve Railsback portrayed Manson in the t.v. movie HELTER SKELTER, and in 2004 Jeremy Davies played him – quite perfectly, I should add, in another t.v. movie of the same name. Jim Van Bebber made a cheap, balls-to-the-wall interpretation of the actual Manson Family murders – THE MANSON FAMILY – that was released in 2003… I’m not sure what new light could be shed on the deranged madman and his cult of kooks, but I guess if someone has to do it, there are much worse choices than Stone. I just hope he refrains from his “cut to black and white, now cut to sepia, now cut to 8mm footage” tendencies to a bare minimum.

About the Author

Eric Walkuski

Film Critic

10,340 Articles Published

Favorite Movies: Jaws, Star Wars Trilogy, Aliens, Citizen Kane, The Third Man, Dawn read more of the Dead ('78), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ('74), Fargo, Miller's Crossing, Reservoir Dogs, The Manchurian Candidate ('62), Taxi Driver, Back to the Future, Stand by Me, Shaun of the Dead, Boogie Nights, La Dolce Vita, 12 Angry Men, The Birds, Touch of Evil

Likes: Film, Beer (who the hell DOESN'T around here?!), writing, NY Mets, read more The Jets, Girls who love film AND beer (at the same time), Jazz, Deadwood, The Wire, The Office, The Twilight Zone, Cormac McCarthy, Graham Greene, Stephen King, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Scorsese, Spielberg, Halloween season, Marvel movies, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Ash vs Evil Dead, Game of Thrones, Edgar Allen Poe, Mother Nature

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