Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones
| Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones | |
|---|---|
DVD cover | |
| Based on | Guyana Massacre: The Eyewitness Account by Charles A. Krause |
| Teleplay by | Ernest Tidyman |
| Directed by | William A. Graham |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Frank Konigsberg |
| Producers |
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| Cinematography | Gil Hubbs |
| Editors |
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| Running time | 192 minutes |
| Production company | The Konigsberg Company |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | April 15 – April 16, 1980 |
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones is a 1980 American biographical drama television miniseries directed by William A. Graham from a teleplay by Ernest Tidyman, based on the 1978 book Guyana Massacre: The Eyewitness Account by Charles A. Krause. It stars Powers Boothe in the title role, with Ned Beatty, LeVar Burton, Colleen Dewhurst, James Earl Jones, and Randy Quaid in supporting roles. It is a dramatization of the life of murderous cult leader Jim Jones, who led a mass murder of his Peoples Temple followers in Jonestown, Guyana.
The miniseries was originally broadcast in two parts on CBS on April 15 and 16, 1980. It received positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised Boothe's performance. At the 32nd Primetime Emmy Awards, it earned four nominations, including Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special, with Boothe winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special.