Guyana Tragedy: Jim Jones Story

This vhs version of the 1980 mini-series is currently the best when it comes to the video and audio . The drawback is that it doesn't contain the credits for the end of part 1 and beginning of part 2 . Despite this , a strong message comes through . HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

I saw this when it initially aired in 1980. It was just a few years after the actual event and the horrific images still very fresh in our minds. It was an unforgettable event. The details would only trickle out and decades later books are still released which explore the madness that swept Jim Jones and his followers. The film does a fairly good job capturing the meglomanical nature of Jones and the psychotic hold he had over his followers but only hints at his true depravity as a man who took full advantage of his power and engaged in sexual excesses that were denied his followers. From the distance of history we can see Jones as a blatant con man who was out for his own selfish and narcissistic ends. He was a classic Jekyll and Hyde personality who did seem to have a great passion for racial unity and progress and initiated many charitable programs. But somewhere the Hyde began to eclipse the Jekyll benevolence. Powers Booth gives a stunning performance as Jim Jones. I don't know if he was nominated for an Emmy but certainly deserved it. He carries the film. Naturally even a two-part TV movie cannot contain all aspects of this story. Having read several books on the subject over the years the film merely scratches the surface of the story but this is a good primer for anyone interested in this event but is recommended to search out books to fill in the gaps. The casting is outstanding, from the major to the minor roles. The fire tion is simple and unadorned but it needs no flashy camera work to keep the viewer engaged. The quality of the picture may irk some people. It is wat hable and assume this print that has been around for over thirty-eight years so we have to resign ourselves that this is probably the best it will be. But minor flaws aside this is an example of the daring made for tv movies they made during the 70's and 80's. They were just as scary as a movie one might see in a theater. It is not a pleasant or easy watch but should be seen for its portrayal of a cult leader and the manipulation he/she can employs to keep followers from questioning the orders they are given, regardless how insane.

The Film: What we have here is a star-studded, made-for-tv docudrama centered around the life & death of Jim Jones and his People's Temple. Powers Boothe, while he doesn't necessarily look or sound like the real deal, captures the darkness of Jim Jones' persona. The film begins in Jonestown with a mock "loyalty test" after which Jones, tormented, takes a trip down memory lane. We see his childhood, during which he frequented church services, conducted pet funeral services with childhood friends, witnessed the abusive nature of his parents' relationship(his murder and torture of small animals was left untouched). We witness his becoming a pastor, the first pastor to conduct integrated services in Indianapolis,IN,his marriage, and ultimately, after the success of the People's Temple as a congregation and humanitarian effort, we see his moral and mental decline:drug usage, bisexual affairs, pro-claiming himself divine, physical/verbal abuse of members, all culminating in Jonestown,Guyana with the murder/suicide of nearly 1,000 People's Temple members, Congressman Leo J. Ryan and others. As with many other docudramas, there are a few changes of identity & fact to protect the innocent(and to captivate the audience via dramitization. As a film, Guyana Tragedy is a masterpiece...as gripping as it is chilling. As a film I give it 5 stars.DVD Quality: For the sake of those that are hyperventilating because I haven't shot the latest release of Guyana Tragedy to hell for the grainy pictures, the occasional skipping, the sometimes fuzzy sound, and the dreaded mid-sentence scene changes...please refer to the DVD-R version that was released a few months before this one by Reel Entertainment and if you happen to peep the DVD-R version of this same release(2 discs, no menus, darker and grainier pictures/sound, virtually a bootleg transfer from the VHS) I think you'll give the DVD release(VCI Entertainment) a 2nd chance with it's single disc,menu, bonus features, trailers,etc. Compared to the Reel Entertainment release of the same film, this one's good as gold. Not perfect, but the best version of the release to date.Once again, peace & prayers to the families impacted by the Jonestown Massacre.

I got my version from Alpha Home Entertainment recently. Bad mistake! The VCI Entertainment release is in my opinion better than this sorry version released by Alpha! I got the VCI DVD from our local library. True this version also has pops and cracks here and there. But the picture did not freeze, it didn't pause and shake at times, like the Alpha version does. The Alpha version, at the end of part one, when they start to sing Amazing Grace, it automatically starts part two scene where the character David is walking up the walk in Jonestown to Jim Jones resting to give him his medication. Alpha where is the end credits to part one, and the opening credits for part two? At least VCI release has the credits at the end of part one and part two. I rather have the VCI release. I will order that from their website. That will do until this movie is re-released and restored, that is if it ever is. This is my opinion also with The Dark Secret Of Harvest Home TV mini series that it, along with Guyana Tragedy deserves a new restored DVD release. So the production companies that made these two excellent made for TV mini series, I say pull it out of the archives and get on the ball restore and release good quality DVD's of these TV movies.Guyana Tragedy: The Story Of Jim Jones. A riveting awesome movie, even though it's sad that it's based on a true story, is a very chilling portrayal of the religious cult leader. I rate 5 stars but that's only for the movie, not the quality. But again in my opinion the VCI DVD release is better.

Very hard to like this but I meant that the acting the portrayal of this Maniac is accurate and makes for a chilling real life drama of an extreme hypocrite and disturbed human being who had power over many. It really upon reflection shows how human beings are vulnerable and searching for someone to lead them, to save them and although this is rare it shows the world as it is...for many..being manipulated, fooled, guided by those who assume power...He was truly outrageous and those people were looking for a way out...of their situation...cults at it worse. A truly disturbing film that I will not be watching again.

This is a brilliant film and as I recall it made Powers Boothe a household name for an actor. I saw this years ago on television and loved it ! Unfortunately this DVD print is all washed out colour wise and picture quality is murky. The prints of this movie need a good remaster as well as a good clean up of other picture anomolies. I have tried it on a few different DVD players and the results are all the same. Buy it if you cannot wait to see it but surely in the near future another company will restore it and finally release it !

I've always wanted this movie in my collection and thanks to Alpha Video I finally have it. I doesn't have any additional material, just the main menu that allows you to select chapters and see previews of other Alpha Video DVDs. I have the entire Ted V. Mikels collection on DVD, also manufactured by Alpha Video, so I am used to their products. The video quality is not perfect, but for someone like me that grew up in the 70's that's fine as long as I can enjoy the story and hear the audio clearly. There are no subtitles, but that is the same for all Alpha Videos. If you just want the opportunity to add this magnificent film to your collection, then this is for you. The acting is superb. Everyone should see this movie at least once.

itz so unreal how so much people thought he was Jesus this man was a very big false prophet terrible tragedy.

great film .