Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
Over 900 members of the Peoples Temple died in a mass suicide orchestrated by Jim Jones in November 1978 at a settlement in Guyana called Jonestown.
Synopsis
Over 900 members of the Peoples Temple died in a mass suicide orchestrated by Jim Jones in November 1978 at a settlement in Guyana called Jonestown.
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Synopsis
Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples Temple, established a settlement in Jonestown, Guyana, in the 1970s. In November 1978, he orchestrated a mass suicide that resulted in the deaths of over 900 followers through poisoned Flavor Aid. This documentary features interviews with former Temple members and survivors, alongside previously unseen footage of the events surrounding the tragedy. Directed by Stanley Nelson, it premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival and later aired on PBS's "American Experience.
What Critics Say
The madness depicted here is not limited to Jim Jones, it reflects the dark-side potential of any religious, political or ideological movement, especially a cult of personality. A thoroughly conventional but deeply unsettling documentary.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See rare footage of Jim Jones and Jonestown.
- Meet former Temple members sharing their experiences.
- Find out about the mass suicide's impact on survivors.
Did You Know
- Over 900 members of the Peoples Temple died in the mass suicide in November 1978.
- The film won the Outstanding Achievement in Documentary award at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.
- The documentary has a runtime of 86 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple?
Stanley Nelson directed the documentary.
When did Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple premiere?
It premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.
How many members of the Peoples Temple died in the Jonestown mass suicide?
Over 900 members died in the mass suicide.
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