Manson: The Women

Manson: The Women is a captivating 2019 documentary that delves into the infamous Charles Manson saga from an uncommonly explored perspective: the women in his 'family'. With its use of profound interviews and previously unseen footage, the documentary seeks to shed light on the societal conditions and personal vulnerabilities that facilitated the creation of Manson's deadly cult.

While many are familiar with the name of Charles Manson, the infamous convict charged for a string of gruesome murders that shook the United States in the late 1960s, this documentary puts the focus on those who were closely tied to him - Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme, Sandra Good, and Patricia Krenwinkel. These women, who were once enveloped in Manson's psychological grasp, share their experiences and reflections on life within Manson's family.

The documentary begins by presenting historic footage and images of the 1960s, setting the socio-cultural context of American society at the time: the counterculture, the hippie movement, and the disillusionment with the Vietnam War. This framework aids in comprehending the appealing alternative that Manson presented to disenchanted, vulnerable young women.

Starring Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme and Sandra Good, who were part of Manson’s inner circle, this film provides a deeper understanding of their attraction and dedication to Manson and his ‘family’. The choice to center the narrative on these women provides an unprecedented glimpse into the psychology that underpinned Manson's manipulation.

Fromme, famously known for her attempt to assassinate President Gerald Ford, faithfully served as Manson's secretary during the trials, ensuring that his bizarre testaments were delivered to the world. She provides fascinating insight into the twisted sense of loyalty that Manson instigated among his followers.

Good, another fierce Manson loyalist, lends comprehensive details about the day-to-day life in the cult, the indoctrinated belief in an impending apocalyptic race war - Helter Skelter, as Manson called it, and how external influences combined with Manson's charisma to create a dangerous cocktail of blind obedience and violent beliefs.

Patricia Krenwinkel's participation is captured through past footage. The documentary strokes a chilling portrait of the longest-incarcerated female inmate in California while wisely avoiding an attempt to oversimplify or justify her actions.

Interviewer Deborah Herman, a criminal defense lawyer and television producer with an expertise in death row cases, steers the narrative through insightful engagements with these women. Being an astute observer and articulate interviewer, Herman’s interactions are characterized by their forthrightness, compassion, and refusal to sensationalize the narrative.

Manson: The Women isn't solely fixated on the trio's close association with Manson. Instead, it extends the lens to the broader repercussions of their actions on the victims’ families and attempts to critically analyze the societal and personal circumstances that produced such an extreme cult. It humanizes the women while maintaining a critical examination of the accountability aspect.

The expert opinions from psychologists, historians, and sociologists interspersed throughout the film provide a broader scope to the narrative, as they delve into the psychological manipulation and group dynamics that were at play. These expert testimonies inform audiences about how young, vulnerable individuals could find themselves manipulated by a charismatic figure like Charles Manson.

Overall, Manson: The Women, provides a delicately balanced, comprehensive, and engaging exploration into one of America's most notorious cults and the women who found themselves entwined within it. The stories of Fromme, Good, and Krenwinkel offer insights that broaden the examination of culture, society, and humanity's darker avenues. In doing so, the documentary offers an unsettling reflection on how sequences of misplaced faith and manipulative relationships can culminate in devastating consequences.