August 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic death of young actress Sharon Tate. For this mournful anniversary, American filmmakers have timed the release of several films at once, which return viewers to the story of her life and murder. In particular, the mesmerizing thriller with elements of the horror movie "The Ghosts of Sharon Tate" focuses on the last days of the unfortunate woman, when she tries in vain to cope with the premonition of imminent disaster.
The real story of Sharon Tate
Many years ago, the brutal murder of a young beauty and three other people from her entourage truly shocked Hollywood. Sharon was one of the most attractive women of the day. She was born in January 1943. She began her career in cinema with beauty contests, small roles on television and filming in advertising. In 1965, the actress got her first leading role in the horror film "The Devil's Eye". But the turning point in her life was the film "Fearless Vampire Slayers" directed by Roman Polanski.
Tate got into this project thanks to a romantic relationship with its creator. In early 1968, Sharon and Roman legalized their relationship in London. They soon returned to Los Angeles and easily became part of the local bohemia, which consisted of musicians, actors, models, and representatives of the film industry. The couple settled in Beverly Hills, and their house was always full of guests. At the end of 1968, the actress found out about her pregnancy. The birth of a child was expected in the second half of August 1969. However, on the night of August 8-9, the actress and her guests were brutally massacred.
With husband Roman Polanski
Shortly before the appearance of the first child, Polanski left for Europe to work on the next film. He planned to return a week before giving birth. To prevent the pregnant wife from being bored alone, the director asked a friend of his youth, Wojciech Frykowski, and his girlfriend Abigail Folger to live with her. Also a frequent guest in the house of the spouses was Sharon's longtime friend, hairdresser Jay Sebring. It was these people who were in the house with the mistress on that fateful night.
Charles Manson
They became victims of members of the Charles Manson commune - a spontaneous association, whose members led an unconventional lifestyle, used hallucinogenic drugs and worshiped their leader, considering him the new Jesus. Although the leader himself did not participate in the massacre, it was he who sent the three women and a man to the address where Tate and Polanski lived. Manson ordered his companions to kill everyone who was there in the most cruel way. The pregnant woman and her friends died in torment from numerous knife and gunshot wounds. An 18-year-old boy who was visiting the caretaker of the estate, who lived in a guest house, also became an accidental victim.
All participants in the monstrous crime were found and arrested by the end of 1969. They were sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Film plot and actors
The plot of the mystical thriller "The Ghosts of Sharon Tate" takes the viewer into the last days of the life of a young actress. While she is awaiting the birth of a child and the return of her husband from Europe, the girl begins to torment visions associated with imminent death. Sharon does not yet suspect that soon all her nightmares will become reality.
Hilary Duff as Sharon Tate
The film was written and directed by Daniel Farrands. The main role was played by actress Hilary Duff, and her close friend Jay Sebring was reincarnated as Jonathan Bennett. The deceased couple Frykowski and Folger were presented on the screen by Pavel Shaida and Lydia Hirst. The odious villain Charles Manson was played by little-known actor Ben Mellish.
The official trailer for the Ghosts of Sharon Tate thriller was released in early February 2019. At the same time, the film participated in the competition program of the Independent Film Festival in Hollywood, where it won three awards - for Best Director, Best Actress and Best Horror Film. In the United States, the premiere took place on April 5, and the story of Sharon Tate will reach Russia on June 20, 2019.
Judging by the ratings and reviews of foreign viewers, the film did not cause much delight in them. On the popular American film site Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 2.9 out of 10. Among the strengths of the project, critics note Hilary Duff's acting, spiritual themes and an unexpected denouement. In any case, given the heavy theme of The Ghosts of Sharon Tate, watching it definitely cannot be taken lightly and detached.
