Did the CIA Help Charles Manson Control His Family’s Minds? Errol Morris’ ‘CHAOS: The Manson Murders’ Attempts to Find Out

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In the latest Netflix documentary by Academy Award-winner Errol Morris titled “CHAOS: The Manson Murders,” the filmmaker delves into the chilling narrative of how Charles Manson managed to persuade four women, known as the “Manson girls,” and Tex Watson, to commit brutal murders on his behalf.

The movie delves into the possible hidden intentions that could have ignited the 1969 Tate-LaBianca killings, as suggested by Tom O’Neill’s 2019 book “CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties.” The film is centered on O’Neill’s hypothesis that Manson was trained in mind-control methods by the CIA’s MKUltra program and was manipulated to become a killer.

According to Morris, Manson stands out because instead of explaining or lecturing about the events, it invites you to delve into the mysteries by presenting evidence and encouraging you to contemplate the possible motivations behind them.

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Morris points out that what makes Manson unique is its ability to immerse you in the mysteries rather than simply telling you what happened or why. Instead, it invites you to examine the facts and ponder on the potential reasons.

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In Morris’s view, Manson is exceptional because it doesn’t just explain or teach about the events; instead, it draws you into the mysteries by offering evidence and urging you to think about the possible motivations behind them.

EbMaster had a conversation with Morris regarding the ongoing Netflix stream “CHAOS: The Manson Murders.

What was it about Tom O’Neill’s book that made you want to turn it into a documentary?

The enigma surrounding Charlie Manson’s life is vast and seemingly endless, captivating people in a way that goes beyond the brutal nature of his crimes, their shocking repulsiveness, or even the involvement of celebrities. Instead, it’s the perplexity of how Manson managed to persuade these individuals to commit murder on his behalf that truly grips us. Frankly, I can’t fathom doing something similar myself.

In O’Neill’s book, he has a lot of hunches about Manson and the CIA, but he can’t prove that there was any connection between CIA’s MKUltra and Manson. Was that a concern while you were making this movie?

Absolutely, I empathize with Tom O’Neill in many aspects. As a detective, investigator, and storyteller, the compulsion to solve a case, to finally say “case closed,” is an intense and powerful feeling. The harder it becomes to achieve this goal, the stronger that desire grows. When Tom ponders over how Manson managed to persuade his followers to commit murder, he proposes the idea of an external conspiracy as a possible explanation. However, proving that Manson was programmed as an assassin is still up for debate, with evidence hinting at it but not yet definitively proven.

So, essentially, his take is a conspiracy theory?

Intriguing mysteries capture our attention when we’re faced with events that seem inexplicable. Conspiracy theories offer comfort by providing answers. They suggest an order amidst chaos, implying: “Even though things appear senseless, illogical, or incomprehensible, if we label it as a conspiracy, the puzzle pieces fall into place.” The idea could be that a powerful entity like the government masterminded everything – they made it happen, planned it out, and executed it. However, this perspective may also reflect the desperation of an investigator grasping at straws. “Chaos” the film delves into these concepts. It encourages viewers to assume the role of a detective and reevaluate the case in a fresh light, perhaps considering aspects that have never been considered before. Who was Charlie Manson? How did he persuade others to commit murder? Was it a calculated conspiracy or simply a chain of confusion, mistakes, and misjudgments?

In the doc, O’Neill criticizes Vincent Bugliosi’s “Helter Skelter,” the best-selling crime book in history. In the book, Bugliosi, who successfully prosecuted Manson and the other defendants accused of the Tate–LaBianca murders, explains how the Beatles’ White Album was influential in the murders. O’Neill says that it was something Bugliosi came up with just to sell books. Do you agree?

In my opinion, Tom O’Neill’s book excels in challenging Bugliosi’s stance. As for me, I don’t buy into the idea that the Beatles’ “White Album” was the cause of those murders. Instead, it seems implausible and there might be numerous alternative explanations available. I can only speculate, but it’s my gut feeling. Now, what is commonly known about prosecutors? They are essentially narrators who weave tales for the jury. Ideally, these stories should be true. However, their primary objective is to construct a narrative that will lead to a conviction. Bugliosi faced a predicament – how could he secure a conviction against Manson if he wasn’t present during the murders? His solution was to build a case based on a conspiracy, a conspiracy centered around the “White Album” and “Helter Skelter.

Your last doc was “Separated,” which focused on the Trump administration’s inhumane policy of separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. MSNBC Films acquired the film in October, which was significant because not many distributors are buying political docs these days. How did you feel about that film’s release?

Despite having Jacob Soboroff’s support, who authored a book with the same title about the topic, and multiple NBC interview appearances, it proved extremely challenging to distribute that movie. NBC refused to air it for quite some time. I aimed to have it broadcast before the election, but they declined. When they finally did show it, it was presented in such a way that made viewing difficult – it was constantly interrupted by commercials, and not like a film on Netflix where you can watch uninterrupted. As a result, the movie hasn’t received its due recognition.

You are currently working on a documentary about Ukraine, which does not yet have distribution. Are you worried about finding a distributor?

I need to complete it. However, I believe I was compelled to create this movie due to the critical significance of the challenges in Ukraine, which we can all agree upon. To me, Volodymyr Zelensky embodies heroism.

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2025-03-08 01:03