California Screamin' - Margot Lives The Horror Mans On Family's Murderous Rage

The actress brings Sharon back to life

For those who remember the ’60s, watching Margot Robbie play screen siren Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a little like stepping into a time machine.

Like Sharon, Margot’s long blonde hair, flawless skin and impossibly high cheekbones are loved by the camera. Just like Sharon’s, Margot’s acting career is skyrocketing. And also like Sharon, Margot is the ‘it girl’ of her generation.

They could be twins, separated by time and space – but they will never get to meet in person. Tragically, Sharon fell into the crosshairs of a murderous cult and, 50 years later, all Margot can do is bring her to life for a new generation to mourn all over again.

There’s no denying that back in 1969 the drums were beating for Sharon. She had a string of hit movies to her credit – the biggest being 1967’s Valley of the Dolls. Adding to her glamour, she was married to top film director Roman Polanski.

The world was fascinated by her. Her husband adored her. And when I, Tonya star Margot, 29, agreed to portray her in the hot new Tarantino movie (currently screening in New Zealand cinemas), she figured it was “a chance for people to really appreciate the life she lived, as opposed to remembering her for her death.”

Although there is, of course, one problem with that – no-one can ever forget how Sharon Tate died.

A night of terror

Summers in Los Angeles are hot and sticky, and the night of August 8, 1969, was worse than usual. Just before midnight, 26-year-old Sharon – who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant and desperately looking forward to motherhood – had stripped down to her underwear to cool off.