Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.
This documentary covers one of history's most chilling mass tragedies with rare archival footage and firsthand survivor accounts, giving it genuine plot power and a devastating ending. Acting is not applicable in a traditional sense — interview subjects are compelling but uneven. Cinematography is solid for a documentary of its era, mixing archival material with standard talking-head setups. Novelty is moderate: the Jonestown story is singular, but the documentary format is fairly conventional; the rare footage elevates it above average distinctiveness.