Helter Skelter. Poster of the 1976 TV series and cover of the 1974 book, Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
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Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry, 1974
TV series vs book
Tom Gries, 1976

This is an account of the thorough investigation and subsequent judicial process that surrounded the gruesome Tate-LaBianca mass murders, which were executed by the psychopathic pseudo-hippie cult leader, Charles Manson. The Manson Family, an assemblage of zealous disciples, committed these atrocious acts at Manson’s behest.


The Prosecution of an American President. Poster of the 2012 movie and cover of the 2008 book, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
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The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
Vincent Bugliosi, 2008
movie vs book
David J. Burke, Dave Hagen, 2012

In the movie, Vincent Bugliosi, a renowned prosecutor in our country, portrays his efforts to argue that ex-president George W. Bush ought to face charges for the fatalities of American soldiers in Iraq since he knowingly led our nation into war based on deceitful justifications.


And the Sea Will Tell. Poster of the 1991 movie and cover of the 1991 book
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And the Sea Will Tell
Vincent Bugliosi, 1991
movie vs book
Tommy Lee Wallace, 1991

The victims of a fatal attack aboard their yacht near a secluded South American island called Palmyra are a wealthy couple. The individuals suspected of being involved are a couple with a hippy lifestyle, whom the wealthy couple had previously befriended. The evidence points to the involvement of the hippies in the crime. The mystery remains: was the man the sole perpetrator while the woman was a helpless observer, or did she willingly participate in the act?


Parkland. Poster of the 2013 movie and cover of the 2007 book, Four Days in November
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Four Days in November
Vincent Bugliosi, 2007
movie vs book
Peter Landesman, 2013

November 22nd, 1963 was a day that changed the world forever — when young American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The movie follows, almost in real time, a handful of individuals forced to make split-second decisions after an event that would change their lives and forever alter the world’s landscape.


Helter Skelter. Poster of the 2004 movie and cover of the 1974 book, Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
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Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry, 1974
movie vs book
John Gray, 2004

It has been almost 35 years since Charles Manson’s devotees carried out a savage killing spree, slaughtering seven individuals over two consecutive nights in Los Angeles and leaving gruesome messages scrawled on the walls of the crime scenes. The first night saw the murder of director Roman Polanski’s wife, Sharon Tate, along with coffee heiress Abigail Folger, Jay Sebring, Voytek Frykowski, and Steven Parent. The second night witnessed the brutal slaying of supermarket chain CEO Leno LaBianca and his wife.


Till Death Us Do Part. Poster of the 1992 movie and cover of the 1978 book, Till Death Us Do Part: A True Murder Mystery
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Till Death Us Do Part: A True Murder Mystery
Vincent Bugliosi, Ken Hurwitz, 1978
movie vs book
Yves Simoneau, 1992

In a modest section of El Sereno, CA, a homicide takes place on December 11, 1966. In the wee hours of the morning, Henry Stockton is fatally shot three times in the head and twice in the chest, after which his home is set ablaze. The culprit leaves no evidence behind, confounding the authorities, until a year later when a young pregnant woman is discovered bludgeoned to death inside a Jaguar. Surprisingly, these two killings are linked.