Jonestown
Studio: PBS Home Video
WorkNameSort: Jonestown
If there’s anything creepier than Powers Boothe’s portrayal of Jim Jones in 1980’s made-for-TV Guyana Tragedy, it’s watching Jones himself maniacally sway the members of the Peoples Temple into doing his bidding. This ‘American Experienceâ?� documentary tells the story of Jonestown via interviews with the few remaining survivors (only five residents escaped that day), a few ex-members of the temple and an astonishing selection of video and audio footage. While ‘drinking the Kool-Aidâ?� has woven itself into modern dialogue and Jones’ cult of personality is regarded as devastating, even in a historical context, Jonestown does an admirable job of focusing less on the insanity of the temple’s leader than on the positive intentions of the church’s membership. Highlighting the mixed-race, cross-generational makeup of the congregation and the fervor with which they undertook a ‘works gospelâ?� mission of equality and charity, this harrowing documentary succeeds in making Jones’ flock look less like a bunch of mindless followers and more like the victims they truly were.
This article appears in Apr 18-24, 2007.