Born one year apart, Roman Polanski and Charles Manson lived eerily parallel lives for years before finally intersecting at the brutal murder of Sharon Tate

By Peter Rowe

On a sunny Friday, August 8, 1969, Roman Polanski was in his elegant townhome in London working with his producer on the pre-production details for his next big project, The Day of the Dolphin, a high-profile film he was set to direct for United Artists. He was on top of the world—considered by the press, the public, and the Hollywood studios to be one of the most important, acclaimed, and successful film directors in the world.

More than 5,400 miles away, his wife, the stunning and talented Sharon Tate—eight months pregnant and glowing with anticipation—was hosting friends at their READ ON