Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones poster

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones( 1980)

TV-MADramaCrime

72%

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Score

His sins were unforgivable. His story, unforgettable.

Overview

In the 1960s, Reverend Jim Jones began as an idealist helping minorities and working against racism. After a move to San Francisco and increased power and attention, Jones became focused on his belief in nuclear holocaust, declared himself a prophet, and founded the Peoples Temple. With a loyal following of over 1,000, who donated their entire life savings to him and to join his commune, he moves them to Guyana. When possible crimes come to the attention of the authorities, and once notified that some individuals are being held against their will, an investigation begins. Rather than face the charges, Jones commits suicide, and roughly 900 of his followers do the same.

Ernest Tidyman
Creator

Series Cast

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
Brenda Vaccaro
Jane Briggs
Dimitra Arliss
Sister Fleming
LeVar Burton
Richard Jefferson
Colleen Dewhurst
Myrtle Kennedy
Clifton James
Barber Charlie Amos
James Earl Jones
Father Divine
Ed Lauter
Jim Jones, Sr.
David Raynr
Raymond Jefferson
John Dukakis
Jack Daniels
Benji Wilhoite
Young Jim Jones
Ralph Pace
Mr. Hester
William Dozier
Mr. Caldwell
Paul Wallace
Charlie Fishback
Walter M. Elder Sr.
Mr. Holloway
Martha B. Knighton
Mrs. Kruger
Tony Foster
Joshua
Danny Nelson
Mr. Stevens
Joe Dorsey
Jake
Tony King
Choate
Georgia Allen
Sister Carmella
Mildred Brown
Sister Crandall
Roy Tatum
Brother Morris
Alvin Pealer
George
Charles Franzen
Phil
Shalee Goble
Becky
Buzzy Hill
Albert
Henry Lide
Mr. Brooks
Bernice Ramsey
Angel
Joel Godard
John Briggs
Meg Brush
Mrs. Briggs
Vivian Edwards
Mrs. Halperin
Rita Byrd
Mrs. Manners
Bill Coyne
White Temple Member

Current Season

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones season poster

Miniseries

1980 | 2 Episodes

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Review 1Discussion

A review by adorablepanic

Written by adorablepanic on Fri Apr 03 2020

GUYANA TRAGEDY: THE STORY OF JIM JONES (1980) wasn't the first attempt to depict the mass suicide/murder undertaken by the Jones-led Peoples Temple: Universal Pictures managed to get their star-sprinkled exploitation pickup, GUYANA: CULT OF THE DAMNED, into American theaters four months earlier. But this made-for-television event (shown over two nights) was the first serious look at Jones' life from childhood to tragedy. Featuring an Emmy-winning turn from Powers Boothe and a cast that included eight Oscar nominees, its quality is even more impressive when you realize that it aired a mere 17 mo...