Charles Manson is a name no one will ever forget. And Netflix makes sure we don’t forget it ever. The series is less interested in turning Charles Manson into some sort of antihero. Rather, it focuses on examining how he acquired power over people. Manson has, for a very long time, been subjected to so many depictions that the makers had to ensure that this one stands out. The plot begins with Manson’s troubled background, his criminal history, and his gradual construction of the Manson Family. His earliest ambition wasn’t to become a murderer or start any sort of revolution. Rather, it was to become a successful musician. His connection with Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys eventually brought him into contact with a record producer, Terry Melcher. This presented a genuine opportunity to pursue a music career. However, when that failed for some reason, his ambitions took a darker turn.
The series puts a significant focus on how Manson learned to manipulate people for his own favor. He understood the mechanics of charm and attention and ended up using them as tools of psychological control. The Manson Family was not simply a bunch of people following an eccentric leader. Rather, it was a system built around dependence and manipulation. What was most disturbing yet revealing about Conversations With a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes was the warning signs that existed long before the murder. The makers have well dissected this sect. Some people sensed something unusual about him and decided to distance themselves from him. This part makes everything more chilling.
There are interviews by Charles Manson that are featured in this docuseries. However, those are largely presented through audio. This is a clever tactic which makes us divert all our attention from his work and how he talked. His voice sounds disturbing, but if you know what he has done, you won't be sympathizing with him. Lastly, we are shown his trial. He did not physically participate in the murders committed by his followers, which made the case even more complicated than it already was. There is no over-the-board sensationalism that takes place in Conversations With a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes when it comes to covering the courtroom drama. Instead, the makers cleanly show us how the legal system established Manson’s responsibility for crimes that he didn’t personally carry out. This is also an important aspect of Charles Manson’s story that hasn’t been well covered previously in other documentaries made about him.
When it comes to the plot, there are many good things. The list starts with how well researched the whole case has been. In no way does it feel as if some Wikipedia page has been converted into a docuseries. Instead, the makers have presented the fragments that mattered the most. In no way does it feel that we are getting repeated things over and over again. Secondly, the pacing has been kept brisk, meaning that we won't get bored when we watch Conversations With a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes. So if you have been curious about Charles Manson, this is what you should be watching for a better understanding.
Final Score - [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times