
Release Date
Original Release
September 20, 1979
1h 47m
Guyana: Crime of the Century (1979)
Overview
This horrific dramatization of the Guyana tragedy traces the steps of Reverend Jim Jones, a highly charismatic, but profoundly paranoid clergyman, who after years of evangelism and good deeds, begins his own church in the mid-western United States. When Jim Jones becomes increasingly obsessed with the belief that the CIA is "a wicked enemy" who is out to get him, he emigrates with his congregation to Guyana, where he plans to create a utopia. But Jim Jones' utopia consists of a society where he demands his followers turn their minds, bodies and possessions over to him, one that is rife with orgies, physical violence, mental torture, and sexual abuse of children and adults. Ultimately, Jim Jones' paranoia reaches a fevered pitch that culminates in him taking savage action against his own congregation. (VCI Home Video)
Director

René Cardona Jr.
Department: Directing
Cast

Stuart Whitman
Rev. James Johnson

John Ireland
Dave Cole

Joseph Cotten
Richard Gable

Bradford Dillman
Dr. Gary Shaw

Gene Barry
Congressman Lee O'Brien

Jennifer Ashley
Anna Kazan

Yvonne De Carlo
Susan Ames

Nadiuska
Leslie Stevens

Tony Young
Ron Harvey

Robert DoQui
Oliver Ross