Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980)
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- TV-14
- 3h 12min
- Biography, Drama
- 05 Jan 1982 (Sweden)
- TV Movie
The real-life story of the Peoples Temple cult led by Reverend Jim Jones and the events involving its move to Guyana and its eventual mass suicide.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Powers Boothe | ... |
Rev. Jim Jones
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| Ned Beatty | ... |
Rep. Leo Ryan
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| Irene Cara | ... |
Alice Jefferson
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| Veronica Cartwright | ... |
Marceline 'Marcy' Jones
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| Rosalind Cash | ... |
Jenny Hammond
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| Brad Dourif | ... |
David Langtree
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| Meg Foster | ... |
Jean Richie
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| Michael C. Gwynne | ... |
Larry King
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| Albert Hall | ... |
Otis Jefferson
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| Linda Haynes | ... |
Karen Bundy
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| Diane Ladd | ... |
Lynette Jones
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| Ron O'Neal | ... |
Col. Robles
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| Randy Quaid | ... |
Clayton Ritchie
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| Diana Scarwid | ... |
Sheila Langtree
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| Madge Sinclair | ... |
Mrs. Jefferson
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| Brenda Vaccaro | ... |
Jane Briggs
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| Dimitra Arliss | ... |
Sister Fleming / Mrs. Crow
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| LeVar Burton | ... |
Richard Jefferson
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| Colleen Dewhurst | ... |
Mrs. Myrtle Kennedy
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| Clifton James | ... |
Barber Charlie Amos
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| James Earl Jones | ... |
Father Divine
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| Ed Lauter | ... |
Jim Jones, Sr.
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| David Raynr | ... |
Raymond Jefferson
(as David Hubbard)
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| John Dukakis | ... |
Jack Daniels
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Benji Wilhoite | ... |
Young Jim Jones
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| Ralph Pace | ... |
Mr. Hester
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| William Dozier | ... |
Mr. Caldwell
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| Paul Wallace | ... |
Charlie Fishback
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Walter M. Elder Sr. | ... |
Mr. Holloway
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| Martha B. Knighton | ... |
Mrs. Kruger
(as Martha Knighton)
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Guy Del Russo | ... |
Reporter #1
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Richard Reiner | ... |
Reporter #2
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Tony Foster | ... |
Joshua
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Danny Nelson | ... |
Mr. Stevens
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Georgia Allen | ... |
Sister Carmella
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Mildred Brown | ... |
Sister Crandall
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Roy Tatum | ... |
Brother Morris
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Bernardine Mitchell | ... |
Black Woman
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Charles Anderson | ... |
Hoodlum
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Alvin Pealer | ... |
George
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Charles Franzen | ... |
Phil
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Les Hatfield | ... |
Klan Leader
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Shalee Goble | ... |
Becky
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Buzzy Hill | ... |
Albert
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| Joe Dorsey | ... |
Jakes
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Henry Lide | ... |
Mr. Brooks
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Terry Browning | ... |
Cashier
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Bernice Ramsey | ... |
Angel
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Sam Manners | ... |
Defector
(as Savino Maneri)
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| Tony King | ... |
Choate
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| Joel Godard | ... |
John Briggs
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Meg Brush | ... |
Granny Briggs
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Dolores Robinson | ... |
New Arrival
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Vivian Edwards | ... |
Mrs. Halperin
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Luther McLaughlin | ... |
Elderly Man
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Steve Grand | ... |
Temple Member
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Peter Moldonado | ... |
Guard
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Pedro Ilerio | ... |
Black Temple Member
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Bill Coyne | ... |
White Temple Member
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Annie Feliciana | ... |
Woman
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Rita Byrd | ... |
Mrs. Manners
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Howard Culver | ... |
(uncredited)
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Frank Konigsberg | ... |
Reporter #3 (uncredited)
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| Dan Roth | ... |
Reporter (uncredited) (voice)
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Steve Siporin | ... |
Temple Member (uncredited)
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Directed by
| William A. Graham | ... | (directed by) |
Written by
| Ernest Tidyman | ... | (teleplay) |
| Charles A. Krause | ... | (book "Guyana Massacre: The Eyewitness Account") |
Produced by
| Frank Konigsberg | ... | executive producer |
| Sam Manners | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Ernest Tidyman | ... | producer (produced by) |
Music by
| Elmer Bernstein | ||
Cinematography by
| Gil Hubbs | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Tony de Zarraga | ... | (edited by) |
| Aaron Stell | ... | (edited by) |
Editorial Department
| Milton Citron | ... | assistant editor |
| Artie Mandelberg | ... | coordinating editor |
Casting By
| Sam Christensen | ||
| Joyce Robinson | ||
Production Design by
| Walter Scott Herndon | ||
Set Decoration by
| Cloudia Rebar | ... | (as Cloudia) |
Makeup Department
| Guy Del Russo | ... | makeup artist |
| Marie Del Russo | ... | makeup artist |
| Shawn McKay | ... | hair stylist |
| Rod Wilson | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Max Stein | ... | production manager |
| Russell Vreeland | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Roger Carlton | ... | second assistant director |
| Richard Siegel | ... | second assistant director (as Rick Siegal) |
| Steve Siporin | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Jack Eberhart | ... | property master |
| Richard Reseigne | ... | construction coordinator |
Sound Department
| David E. Campbell | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Terrance Emerson | ... | boom operator |
| Neil Mandelberg | ... | sound effects editor |
| Jacques Nosco | ... | sound mixer (as Jacques D. Nosco) |
| Robert Pettis | ... | re-recording mixer |
| John T. Reitz | ... | re-recording mixer |
| John Roesch | ... | foley artist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Bob Shelley | ... | special effects coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Ralph Gerling | ... | camera operator / camera operator: second unit |
| Bob Greene | ... | still photographer |
| Thomas A. Haynes | ... | gaffer |
| John London | ... | key grip |
| Brian W. Roy | ... | camera operator |
Casting Department
| Lilian Fuentes | ... | extras casting: Puerto Rico |
| Sylvia Mays | ... | extras casting: Atlanta |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Linda Arrico | ... | wardrobe: women |
| Frank Novak | ... | costumer |
Location Management
| Chris Silver Finigan | ... | location coordinator (as Chris Finigan) |
| Barbara Lifsher | ... | location representative |
Music Department
| Kathy Andrews | ... | music editor |
| Gospel Music Workshop of America Atlanta Chapter | ... | music performers |
| James Cleveland | ... | choral arrangements (as Reverend James Cleveland) |
| Peter Bernstein | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Doris Grau | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Jim Maydock | ... | transportation captain |
| Rick Maydock | ... | transportation captain |
Additional Crew
| Robin Bergner | ... | production secretary |
| Mary Church | ... | production coordinator |
| Chris Silver Finigan | ... | production accountant |
| John Prizer | ... | production executive: LA |
| Dean Hudgins | ... | stand-in (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- CBS (1980) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- VCII Home Entertainment (1983) (United States) (VHS) (For Telepictures Corp./ Double Tape)
- Weton Wesgram (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Reel Media International (2004) (World-wide) (video)
- Reel Media International (2005) (World-wide) (tv)
- Flashback Home Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
- Reel Media International (2007) (World-wide)
- Alpha Home Entertainment (2008) (United States) (DVD)
- Spectrum-PolyGram Video (1982) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- VCL Communications (1983) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Video Distributie Nederland B.V. (VDN) Wijchen (Netherlands) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Consolidated Film Industries (CFI) (titles and opticals)
- Glen Glenn Sound Company (sound effects editing)
- La Da Productions (music editing)
- The Chez Group (talent coordinator: Atlanta)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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 |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The shocking true story written in blood!! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | The song that the choir sings, "Welcome," is a song from an actual recording of the real People's Temple Choir. See more » |
| Goofs | In the film, more than 10 people die during the Port Kaituma airstrip shooting. In real life, five people died. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Alternate-language version of Guyana: Cult of the Damned (1979). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Welcome See more » |
| Crazy Credits | "The film you are about to see is a dramatization of the life of Jim Jones. Born - May 13, 1931 Lynn, Indiana - Died - November 18, 1978, Jonestown, Guyana. This is his story." See more » |
| Quotes |
Rev. Jim Jones:
...Father, you were forced to leave New York. Why? Father Divine: We were becoming too strong. They were frightened. Rev. Jim Jones: How do you sustain a movement like this one? Father Divine: How did Moses sustain his flock? Rev. Jim Jones: What of the cost? Father Divine: Ask and you shall receive, my son. Rev. Jim Jones: And as for worldly possessions? Father Divine: Sustenance of whatever kind our Heavenly Father requires. Rev. Jim Jones: ...Sometimes, the women in my flock tempt me. What shall I do about that? Father Divine: It's your duty - your religious obligation - to bring such desires to the surface, so that you can eliminate those desires. Remember, Mary wasn't a virgin either. Rev. Jim Jones: ...You've given a whole new world to me, Father. Father Divine: As it should be, so let it be, my son. Rev. Jim Jones: Do you truly believe that you're God? Father Divine: I don't have to say that I'm God, and I don't have to say that I'm NOT God. Millions of people CALL me God, and millions more call me the Devil. But I don't say that I'm God, and I don't say that I'm the Devil. But I *produce* God and, in doing so, shake the earth. Rev. Jim Jones: Thank you for your time, Father. See more » |