Series1980·94m·7.3

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

His sins were unforgivable. His story, unforgettable.

DramaCrime

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.

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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

Episodes

Details

Status: Ended
Network: CBS
First aired: 1980-04-15
Last aired: 1980-04-16
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 2
Languages: English
Age rating: —
Production: The Königsberg Company

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Reviews

adorablepanic

4/3/2020

8.0

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 months following the actual event