{"id":83766,"date":"2018-10-31T15:49:33","date_gmt":"2018-10-31T22:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/?page_id=83766"},"modified":"2026-01-31T08:46:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T16:46:28","slug":"film-documentaries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/?page_id=83766","title":{"rendered":"Film & Documentaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note<\/strong>: Several of the completed documentaries discussed on this page appear on the Online Resources<\/a> page.<\/em><\/p>\n

New Documentary Series Airs on Hulu, National Geographic<\/a>, by the 72 Films Team (2024)
\nCult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown<\/em>: A Review<\/a>, by Annie Dawid<\/span>
\nNational Geographic Reframes Jonestown Narrative<\/a>, by Katherine Hill<\/span>
\nWhat More Is Left to Learn? A Review of Cult Massacre<\/em><\/a>, by Aliah Mohmand<\/span>
\nCult Massacre<\/em>: The Reviews<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Purple Haze<\/em>\u00a0Defines Jonestown as Turning Point in History<\/a>,\u00a0by Mary Anne Alton (2001)<\/p>\n

A Miniseries Project, by Richmond Arquette
\nMy Journey to Discover The Living Word of Peoples Temple<\/a> (2016)<\/span>
\nResearching Peoples Temple<\/a> (2015)<\/span><\/p>\n

A Film Project, by David A. Berdass
\nFinding The Scope of Peoples Temple<\/a> (2010)<\/span>
\nThe Definitive Cinematic \u201cJonestown\u201d\u2026coming soon to a theater near you<\/a> (2009)<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonestown<\/em><\/strong>, A Film Project, by David Berget
\nJonestown\u00a0Through\u00a0Cinema<\/a> (2013)<\/span>
\nTaking the Story in a New Direction<\/a> (2012)<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonestown: Behind the scenes at National Geographic Channel\u2019s\u00a0Seconds from Disaster<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>by Sally Brindle (2011)<\/p>\n

What I learned by filming a Jonestown survivor<\/a>, by John Borowski (2017)<\/p>\n

Making a Jonestown Documentary<\/a>, by Thaddeus Bouska (2018)<\/p>\n

An Interpretation of Jonestown<\/a>, by Adeline Colangelo (2006)<\/p>\n

British Documentary on Peoples Temple Begins Research<\/a>, by Tom Deverell (2006)<\/p>\n

Jonestown Documentaries on the Fortieth Anniversary: A Media Review<\/a>, by Jason Dikes (2020)<\/p>\n

Student Filmmaker Looks for Additional Interviews<\/a>,\u00a0by Jessica Distad (2004)<\/p>\n

Living Inside the Film<\/a>, by Sally el Hosaini (2017)<\/p>\n

Screenplay Moves Jonestown Story to Neighboring Suriname\u2028\u2028<\/a>, by Matthew Emma (2016)<\/p>\n

A Documentary on Lester Kinsolving, by Martin English
\nChallenging the Black-and-White: Researching a Peoples Temple Documentary<\/a> (2012)<\/span>
\nMisconceptions of Jonestown and Peoples Temple<\/a> (2011)<\/span><\/p>\n

True Crime Series Offers Compelling Look at Jim Jones<\/a>, by Juan Garcia (2016)<\/p>\n

Insights into Jonestown<\/a>, by Frankie Glass (2013)<\/p>\n

MGM Acquires Option to Road to Jonestown<\/em>, DiCaprio Slated to Star as Jones<\/a>, by Jeff Guinn (2023)<\/p>\n

HBO to Present Limited Series on Peoples Temple<\/a> (2025) \"NEW\"<\/p>\n

A Film Project, by Christian Hartsock
\nA Filmmaker\u2019s Odyssey into Jim Jones\u2019 Heart of Darkness<\/a> (2016)<\/span>
\nJonestown for Gen-Y: Reconstructing the Narrative<\/a> (2014)<\/span><\/p>\n

Australian Documentary to Examine Doomsday Cults<\/a>, by Jack Hawke (2012)<\/p>\n

Between the TV Screen and the Tragedy: A Memoir of Jonestown Research<\/a>, by Robert P. Helms\u00a0(2005)<\/p>\n

History Channel Airs Jonestown Story<\/a> (2002)<\/p>\n

History Finally Written by the Real Victors<\/a>, by Mariam Kanso & Sarah Springer (2025) \"NEW\"<\/p>\n

The Rectification of Jonestown, the Place<\/a>, a reflection on her short film Hyacinth<\/em><\/a>, by Lydia Moyer (2023)<\/p>\n

White Nights, Black Paradise<\/em><\/strong>, a film by Sikivu Hutchinson
\n<\/a>Memory Thieves: Beyond the White Gaze of Jonestown<\/a> (2017)
\nBlack Women\u2019s Film Confronts the Whitewashing of Jonestown<\/a> (2016)<\/span><\/p>\n

Temple Film to Focus on Stories of Vern Gosney and Larry Layton<\/a>, by Benjello Jacob (2016)<\/p>\n

British Filmmaker Looks Past Horror of Last Day<\/a>, by Juno Jakob (2009)<\/p>\n

Untitled Marshall Kilduff Project<\/em><\/strong>, a film by Jeffery Keilholtz
\nFeature Film Still In Development<\/a> (2016)<\/span>
\nProgress Continues On Marshall Kilduff Screenplay<\/a> (2009)<\/span>
\nAmerican Prophet<\/em>\u00a0completed<\/a> (2008)<\/span>
\nScreenwriter to examine Peoples Temple through the eyes of a journalist<\/a>\u00a0(2007)<\/span><\/p>\n

Paradise Lost<\/em><\/strong> (2006)
\nArticles by Greta Knutzen
\nJonestown Docudrama Completes Shooting, Anticipates Release<\/a> (2006)<\/span>
\nA View from the Set<\/a>, by Greta Knutzen (2006)<\/span>
\nReview
\nJonestown As I Know It<\/a>,\u00a0by Robert P. Helms (2007)<\/span><\/p>\n

My Road to Jonestown<\/a>, by H.D. Motyl (2006)<\/p>\n

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple<\/strong><\/em>, a Film by Stanley Nelson (2006)
\nArticles and Reflections by the Producers
\nStanley Nelson Reflects on Lessons of Jonestown<\/a> (2008)<\/span>
\nJonestown Documentary Wins Awards, Theatrical Release<\/a>, by Sonya Childress (2006)<\/span>
\nPBS Documentary Issues Call for Additional Temple Interviews & Resources<\/a>,\u00a0by Kristin Lesko (2005)<\/span>
\nPBS Documentarian Begins Work on Peoples Temple Story\u00a0<\/a>by Noland Walker (2004)<\/span>
\nReviews
\nThe First Real Film on Peoples Temple<\/a>, by Lela Howard<\/span>
\nReliving the Love, Recalling the Pain of Temple Experience<\/a>, by Laura Johnston Kohl<\/span>
\nFilm Creates Opportunity for Temple Member Reunions<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\nFilm Focuses on Religious, Not Political Side, of Peoples Temple<\/a>, by Vernon Gosney<\/span>
\nA Peoples Temple survivor remembers<\/a>,\u00a0by Garrett Lambrev<\/span>
\nJonestown Film Recalls Both Good and Bad of Peoples Temple<\/a>, by Nell Smart<\/span>
\nSupporting Preconceptions: A review of the Jonestown film<\/a>, by David Parker Wise<\/span>
\nDocumentary Raises Issues for Future Films to Explore<\/a>, by Michael Bellefountaine<\/span>
\nFilm Inspires Us to Considers Difficult Questions<\/a>, by Rev. Richard A. Lawrence<\/span>
\nJonestown<\/em>: Tough, Exhausting, and Important<\/a>, by Susan M. White Hicks<\/span>
\nJonestown<\/em>: The Reviews and Awards<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Jonestown: A film concept<\/a>, by Keanan O\u2019Carroll (2010)<\/p>\n

A Guyanese documentary project, by Rotimi Paul
\nGuyanese Documentary Filmmaker Seeks Interviews<\/a> (2016)<\/span>
\nDocumentary Film to Depict Guyanese Perspective on Jonestown Tragedy<\/a> (2015)<\/span><\/p>\n

A documentary project, by Heidi Petty
\nLooking at a Documentary Project \u2026 A Year Later<\/a> (2009)<\/span>
\nDocumentary Film Focuses on Peoples Temple Location in San Francisco<\/a> (2008)<\/span><\/p>\n

CNN Documentary To Air November 13<\/a>, by James Polk (2008)<\/p>\n

Documentary to Consider Life of Jackie Speier<\/a>, by Michealene Cristini Risley (2006)<\/p>\n

The Dissenter<\/em>, n\u00e9e White Night<\/em>, a film by Alex Smith
\nThe Dissenter<\/em>: The Resurrection of a Vision<\/a> (2025) \"NEW\"<\/span>
\nWhite Night<\/em>\u00a0Awaits Dawn of Completion<\/a> (2013)<\/span>
\nWhite Night<\/em>: Survivors of Jonestown 2012<\/a> (2012)<\/span>
\nWhite Night: Survivors of Jonestown<\/a><\/em> (2011)<\/span>
\nFilmmaker Explores Lives of Survivors in Fictional Work<\/a> (2008)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Life And Death Of A T.V. \u201cPilot\u201d<\/a>,\u00a0by Chuck Smith (2007)<\/p>\n

I believe in Jim Jones: A cinematic tribute to the people of Peoples Temple<\/a>, by Susan Spaller (2010)<\/p>\n

Witness To Jonestown<\/em>: A Producer\u2019s Notes<\/a>, by Stephen Stept (2008)<\/p>\n

French Documentary Explores Faith and Violence in Peoples Temples<\/a>, by France Swimberge (2017)<\/p>\n

The Shattered Glass of Jonestown<\/a>, by Melissa Thrasher (2014)<\/p>\n

After Jonestown<\/strong><\/em>, a documentary film project by Paul VanDeCarr
\nAfter Jonestown<\/em>\u00a0Production Closes<\/a> (2005)<\/span>
\nAfter Jonestown<\/em>\u00a0Update<\/a> (2004)<\/span>
\nFilm Director Writes Open Letter to the Jonestown Community <\/a>(2003)<\/span>
\nFilm to Document Aftermath of Jonestown<\/a> (2002)<\/span>
\nFilm To Recall November 1978<\/a>\u00a0(2001)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI Believe in Jim Jones\u201d<\/a>, by Chase Voorhees (2011)<\/p>\n

Strutters For Life<\/strong><\/em>, a documentary film project by Tommy \u201cFayzo\u201d Washington
\nMedea Sirkas Documentary\u00a0Strutters For Life<\/em>\u00a0Nears Completion<\/a> (2013)<\/span>
\nMedea Sirkas Documentary Film to Be Released in 2011<\/a> (2010)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Making of\u00a0California Eden<\/em><\/a>, by Lotta Weber (2013)<\/p>\n

Challenging the Inevitable Norm<\/a>,\u00a0by Remy Weber (2007)<\/p>\n

Travel Documentary of Three Guianas Includes Jonestown<\/a>, by David Whalen (2014)<\/p>\n

A Documentary on Charles Garry, by Hrag Yedalian
\nDocumentary on Temple Attorney Charles Garry Completed<\/a> (2006)<\/span>
\nCharles Garry Documentary Incorporates Jonestown Experience<\/a>\u00a0(2005)<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviews of other works<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Examinations of A&E\u2019s\u00a0Jonestown: The Women Behind the Massacre <\/em> (2018)
\nCompromised Enablers<\/a>, by Jason Dikes<\/span>
\nFilling in Gaps in Jonestown Video with Re-Enactments<\/a>, by Bonnie Yates<\/span>
\nOn the Use of Actors and Re-enactments in Documentaries<\/a>, by Bonnie Yates<\/span>
\nCue the Kool-Aid: Watching Jonestown Docs in the \u2018Fake News\u2019 Era<\/a>, by Rebecca Moore<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Guyana Tragedy<\/em>\u00a0Myth<\/a>, by Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons (2010)<\/p>\n

Jonestown as\u00a0Sacrament<\/em><\/a> (2014)
\nThe Sacrament<\/em>: Art Imitates Life, Part 665<\/a>, by Matthew Thomas Farrell<\/span>
\nHorror or Horrible: A Review of\u00a0The Sacrament<\/em><\/a>, by Katherine Hill<\/span><\/p>\n

Horror Film Draws Upon \u201cCult\u201d Tragedies: A Review of\u00a0The Veil<\/em><\/a>, by Fielding M. McGehee III (2016)<\/p>\n

Film & TV Notes from the jonestown report<\/em><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

2019<\/a>
\n2018<\/a>
\n2017<\/a>
\n2016<\/a>
\n2015<\/a>
\n2014<\/a>
\n2013<\/a>
\n2011<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note: Several of the completed documentaries discussed on this page appear on the Online Resources page. New Documentary Series Airs on Hulu, National Geographic, by the 72 Films Team (2024) Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown: A Review, by Annie Dawid National Geographic Reframes Jonestown Narrative, by Katherine Hill What More Is Left to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":83653,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-83766","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/83766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=83766"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/83766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":133500,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/83766\/revisions\/133500"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/83653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=83766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}