Watch Guyana: Crime of the Century

Guyana: Crime of the Century is a 1979 film based on the true story of one of the most shocking events in American history. The movie is directed by René Cardona Jr. and stars Stuart Whitman, Gene Barry, John Ireland, and Jennifer Ashley. The story revolves around the charismatic cult leader Jim Jones and the mass suicide of over 900 people in Jonestown, Guyana.

The film starts with a flashback to San Francisco in the 1970s, where we see Jones (played by Stuart Whitman) preaching his message of racial equality and social justice to a large congregation of followers. Jones is a master at manipulating people and he quickly gains the trust of his followers. With their help, he establishes the People's Temple in San Francisco and gradually moves his followers to a jungle compound in Guyana.

As the story unfolds, we see the increasingly disturbing behavior of Jones and the inner circle of his cult. He exerts total control over his followers, using a combination of brainwashing, physical abuse, and isolation to keep them obedient. Jones begins to believe he is the messiah and that his followers must be ready to sacrifice themselves when the time comes.

The tension in the film mounts steadily as we watch the members of the cult become more and more desperate as their lives become more and more controlled. The situation in the jungle compound spirals out of control as paranoia and fear take hold of the members of the Jonestown community.

The film centers around FBI agent Alan Towers (Gene Barry), who is tasked with investigating Jim Jones and the People's Temple. Towers is horrified by what he sees and becomes increasingly concerned for the safety of the cult's members. He is portrayed as a sympathetic character who attempts to uncover the truth about the cult's activities and protect innocent lives.

One of the standout performances in the film is by Jennifer Ashley, who plays the role of one of Jones' followers, a nurse named Maria Katsaris. Her character becomes increasingly disillusioned with the cult and the shocking events unfolding around her. Her performance captures the desperation and terror of the Jonestown community during the final days before the mass suicide.

The film is a tense, chilling drama that is augmented by strong performances by the entire cast. The cinematography is visually striking, with beautiful shots of the Guyanese jungle and the expanse of the temple compound.

Overall, Guyana: Crime of the Century is a powerful and sobering portrayal of one of the most tragic events in American history. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of charismatic leaders and the importance of remaining vigilant against those who would seek to exploit others for their own gain. The movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime or cult psychology.

Guyana: Crime of the Century is a 1979 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.