Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980 TV Mini-series)
Directed by William Graham
Synopsis[]
The real-life story of the Peoples Temple cult led by Reverand Jim Jones (Powers Boothe) and the events involving its move to Guyana and its eventual mass suicide.
Trivia[]
Some of the characters in the mini-series were based off real people involved with the Peoples Temple:
- The characters of Clayton (Randy Quaid) and Jean Richie (Meg Foster) are based on Timothy and Grace Stoen.
- David Langtree (Brad Dourif) was based off of Jonestown's doctor Larry Schacht.
- Larry King (Michael C. Gwynne) was based off Larry Layton.
- Mrs. Jefferson's (Madge Sinclair) speech on protesting the planned mass suicide was based off the words of Christine Miller.
- Alice Jefferson (Irene Cara) was based off of Shanda Michelle Oliver.
Male Deaths[]
- Ned Beatty [Rep. Leo Ryan]
- Powers Boothe [Rev. Jim Jones]
- Brad Dourif [David Langtree]
- John Dukakis [Jack Daniels]
- Walter M. Elder Sr. [Mr. Holloway]
- Tony Foster [Joshua James Ritchie]
- Joel Godard [John Briggs]
- Albert Hall [Otis Jefferson]
- Tony King [Choate]
- Peter Moldonado [Guard]
- Randy Quaid [Clayton Ritchie]
Female Deaths[]
- Meg Brush [Mrs. Briggs]
- Irene Cara [Alice Jefferson]
- Veronica Cartwright [Marceline 'Marcy' Jones]
- Rosalind Cash [Jenny Hammond]
- Meg Foster [Jean Ritchie]
- Linda Haynes [Karen Bundy]
- Diana Scarwid [Sheila Langtree]
- Madge Sinclair [Mrs. Jefferson]
- Brenda Vaccaro [Jane Briggs]