Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Powers Boothe | ... | Rev. Jim Jones | |
Ned Beatty | ... | Rep. Leo Ryan | |
Irene Cara | ... | Alice Jefferson | |
Veronica Cartwright | ... | Marceline 'Marcy' Jones | |
Rosalind Cash | ... | Jenny Hammond | |
Brad Dourif | ... | David Langtree | |
Meg Foster | ... | Jean Richie | |
Michael C. Gwynne | ... | Larry King | |
Albert Hall | ... | Otis Jefferson | |
Linda Haynes | ... | Karen Bundy | |
Diane Ladd | ... | Lynette Jones | |
Ron O'Neal | ... | Col. Robles | |
Randy Quaid | ... | Clayton Ritchie | |
Diana Scarwid | ... | Sheila Langtree | |
Madge Sinclair | ... | Mrs. Jefferson |
Based upon the real life story of Reverend Jim Jones, a self-proclaimed prophet who founded the Peoples Temple. In the 1960s, he began as an idealist helping minorities and working against racism. After a move to San Francisco and increased power and attention, Jim Jones became focused on his belief in nuclear holocaust. He had a loyal following of over 1000 people, who had donated their entire life savings to him and to join his commune, before moving them to Guyana. When possible illegal activities came to the attention of the authorities, and once notified that some individuals are being held against their will, they began to investigate. Rather than face the charges against him, Jones committed suicide, and convinced virtually most of his followers to do the same. Written by Brian W Martz <B.Martz@Genie.com>
Just given the fact that it is based on the most infamous mass suicide incident of modern times would have been enough to give this 2-part 1980 made-for-TV film attention. But the fact is that it is a superb recreation of the life of the Rev. Jim Jones, who built a church into a virtual empire, and then encouraged it to disintegrate into a sleazy cult in which a Congressman and his entourage were assassinated, and 917 cult followers committed suicide by drinking Kool-Aid doused with cyanide.
Done very tastefully but horrifying enough, unlike the excruciatingly sadistic CULT OF THE DAMNED, GUYANA TRAGEDY features an all-star cast, including Ned Beatty (as Rep. Leo Ryan), Meg Foster, Randy Quaid, Brad Dourif, Brenda Vaccaro, LeVar Burton, and Madge Sinclair. But it is Powers Boothe (in his first big role) that really stands out as Jim Jones. He actually BECOMES the man, and his performance is riveting and chilling. Thus, it is no wonder that this film still manages to attract attention after more than twenty years.