Guyana: Cult of the Damned

 (1979)

Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray offers solid video and great audio in this fan-pleasing Blu-ray release
This horrific dramatization of the Guyana tragedy traces the steps of Reverend Jim Jones, a highly charismatic, but profoundly paranoid clergyman, who after years of evangelism and good deeds, begins his own church in the mid-western United States. When Jim Jones becomes increasingly obsessed with the belief that the CIA is "a wicked enemy" who is out to get him, he emigrates with his congregation to Guyana, where he plans to create a utopia. But Jim Jones' utopia consists of a society where he demands his followers turn their minds, bodies and possessions over to him, one that is rife with orgies, physical violence, mental torture, and sexual abuse of children and adults. Ultimately, Jim Jones' paranoia reaches a fevered pitch that culminates in him taking savage action against his own congregation.


For more about Guyana: Cult of the Damned and the Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray release, see Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray Review published by Brian Orndorf on November 7, 2021 where this Blu-ray release scored 3.5 out of 5.

Director: René Cardona Jr.
Writers: René Cardona Jr., Carlos Valdemar
Starring: Stuart Whitman, Gene Barry, John Ireland, Joseph Cotten, Bradford Dillman, Jennifer Ashley
Producers: René Cardona Jr., Alfonso López Negrete

» See full cast & crew

Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf, November 7, 2021

There have been several attempts to explore the experience of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple throughout many forms of media. 1979's "Guyana: Cult of the Damned" is one of the first offerings of dramatic exploration, entering theaters less than a year after the mass suicide event in Jonestown. Speed appears to be the goal of the production, with noted B-movie manufacturer Rene Cardona Jr. trying to cash-in on a horrific situation with his endeavor, aiming to provide a horror show for those curious about the ghastly situation involving Jones and the creation of his cult, which he worked to build up, ultimately leading them to their deaths in 1978. However, instead of pushing extra hard to generate a satisfying understanding of manipulation and mental deterioration, Cardona Jr. generates tepid exploitation instead.



"Guyana: Cult of the Damned" claims to be based in truth, but names have been changed to keep lawyers at arm's length. Jim Jones is now James Johnson (Stuart Whitman), the sunglasses-wearing leader of Johnson's Temple, who demands complete submission from his followers, claiming to be working as an agent of God. Cardona Jr. attempts to class up the picture by treating it as a memoir from a Johnson Town survivor, and while narration strives to lend the movie a certain docudrama feel, the production is all hands with its placement, frequently interrupting scenes so the narrator can load the feature up with exposition, removing the need for dramatic interpretation. One feels bad for the actors, as creative efforts are often lost in the mix, crudely excised to speed up the narrative, which follows the Jonestown disaster timeline.

Cardona Jr. is not a helmer attentive to detail, unless it's something that could help with the lurid nature of the material. The rise of James Johnson isn't prioritized by the feature, which picks up the tale in progress, watching the San Francisco leader make his plans to relocate to "Eden" in Guyana -- a move that puts Congressman Leo Ryan (Gene Barry) on edge, inspiring a 1978 trip to observe Johnson Town. What's carefully presented is human suffering, watching cult members deal with terrible living conditions and extreme rules set by Johnson, who claims ultimate control. Those who test the law are punished, which is what "Guyana: Cult of the Damned" is primarily interested in, spotlighting sexual humiliation and the torture of children (including genital electrocution), which is handed more screen time than any psychological understanding of Johnson. Cardona Jr. is here for the grisly details, not a study of subjugation, giving the endeavor a thick coating of oiliness as the production is eventually aimed at grindhouse audiences.

Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "brand new 2K master," and the feature looks passable for its Blu-ray debut. Detail is acceptable, surveying polyester costuming and the Johnson Town community, with a large number of extras employed for the picture. Skin surfaces are softer, along with jungle living, and exteriors retain compelling dimension. Colors are appealing with period costuming, and the bright San Francisco tours explore urban hues and store signage. Greenery is distinct. Skintones are natural. Grain hits some occasional blockiness. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in decent shape, but mild damage and scratches are present.

Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles the horror atmosphere of "Guyana: Cult of the Damned" with care, leading with louder scoring cues which deliver sharp synth stings. Dialogue exchanges are clear, with Whitman's lead performance emerging with a deeper authority. Atmospherics are basic but compelling, exploring Johnson Town bustle.

Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

• Isolated Music Score is presented.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:30, HD) is included.

Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

"Guyana: Cult of the Damned" has the power of Whitman as Johnson, with the seasoned actor trying to inhabit an evil man who managed to create a mass suicide event, which, of course, Cardona Jr. details in full, even including real footage from the event. Whitman is strong here, managing to stay above the primitiveness of the moviemaking, looking to shape a performance in a film that doesn't have much interest in dramatic texture, embarking on a quest for cheap shock value instead.

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Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Guyana: Cult of the Damned Blu-ray Detailed - May 26, 2021


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