The Jonestown cult, officially named the "People's Temple", was founded in 1955 by Indianapolis preacher James Warren Jones. Jones, who had no theological training, based his church on a combination of religious and socialist philosophies. He believed in racial integration and the communist ideology of equality for all.
He started his church in Indiana. Through his help for the poor and his belief in equality his congregation grew steadily which lead him to relocate to north California along with 100 of his followers. He formed more congregations and set up head quarters in San Francisco.
Behind his public image as a beloved leader promoting interracial harmony it was clear Jones had set up his own cult with him as the central figure of worship. His congregations referred to him as "Father" and he had a messiah-like presence in the People's Temple. Within the Temple, Jones demanded absolute loyalty, enforced a taxing regime and delivered sermons forecasting nuclear holocaust and an apocalyptic destruction of the world, promising his followers that they alone would emerge as survivors. He was a confident and influential speaker, which captivated his audience and brainwashed them to follow him. He truly believed in what he was preaching and was doing the correct thing.
He started his church in Indiana. Through his help for the poor and his belief in equality his congregation grew steadily which lead him to relocate to north California along with 100 of his followers. He formed more congregations and set up head quarters in San Francisco.
Behind his public image as a beloved leader promoting interracial harmony it was clear Jones had set up his own cult with him as the central figure of worship. His congregations referred to him as "Father" and he had a messiah-like presence in the People's Temple. Within the Temple, Jones demanded absolute loyalty, enforced a taxing regime and delivered sermons forecasting nuclear holocaust and an apocalyptic destruction of the world, promising his followers that they alone would emerge as survivors. He was a confident and influential speaker, which captivated his audience and brainwashed them to follow him. He truly believed in what he was preaching and was doing the correct thing.
It was not long until the media coverage of Jones' radical church turned negative and speculating began to occur. Investigations were launched in to finding out the deeper meaning of the People's Temple. Jones felt that he and his people were no longer safe in California. He urged his congregation to move to a more isolated area in order to escape America's capitalist ways and to lead a more communal life.
In 1977 the Temple's People bought land in Guyana, Brazil. It was not long until all the members of the church had relocated to that land. Life there was meant to be peaceful and fair however there were rumours that the people were living in camp like conditions. It was even compared to the concentration camps of the Second World War. The huts they lived in soon became run down. All members were forced to work twelve-hour days, six days a week. Some of the member’s family became concerned that they were being kept there against their will by the brainwashing of Jones.
It was then that Congressman Ryan organised a trip to South America to visit the settlement. Upon his visit most members appeared to be content with their way of life and expressed no desire to leave. It was just two people who slipped Congressman Ryan a note saying they wanted to leave and were being forced to stay by Jones and the security he had placed around the settlement. Ryan organised to let the people who wished to leave to come with him on the plane home. While they were on the airstrip about to board the plane Jones' men opened fire on them murdering five people including Ryan.
Meanwhile at the camp, Jones gathered the remainder of the people and told them that the U.S government would kill them. The speech he made was one of his most convincing and ultimate proof of the brainwashing he had performed on the People's Temple members. He told them that the only thing they could do was to kill themselves; the ultimate sacrifice.
Jones's 912 followers were given a deadly concoction of a purple drink mixed with cyanide, sedatives, and tranquillisers. Jones apparently shot himself in the head.
This event interested us as we are looking in to cults and how individuals can become all consumed by their beliefs. We also were greatly influenced by the speeches Jones gave, as we wanted to recreate something similar at the beginning of our trailer.
To read more on Research click here..
In 1977 the Temple's People bought land in Guyana, Brazil. It was not long until all the members of the church had relocated to that land. Life there was meant to be peaceful and fair however there were rumours that the people were living in camp like conditions. It was even compared to the concentration camps of the Second World War. The huts they lived in soon became run down. All members were forced to work twelve-hour days, six days a week. Some of the member’s family became concerned that they were being kept there against their will by the brainwashing of Jones.
It was then that Congressman Ryan organised a trip to South America to visit the settlement. Upon his visit most members appeared to be content with their way of life and expressed no desire to leave. It was just two people who slipped Congressman Ryan a note saying they wanted to leave and were being forced to stay by Jones and the security he had placed around the settlement. Ryan organised to let the people who wished to leave to come with him on the plane home. While they were on the airstrip about to board the plane Jones' men opened fire on them murdering five people including Ryan.
Meanwhile at the camp, Jones gathered the remainder of the people and told them that the U.S government would kill them. The speech he made was one of his most convincing and ultimate proof of the brainwashing he had performed on the People's Temple members. He told them that the only thing they could do was to kill themselves; the ultimate sacrifice.
Jones's 912 followers were given a deadly concoction of a purple drink mixed with cyanide, sedatives, and tranquillisers. Jones apparently shot himself in the head.
This event interested us as we are looking in to cults and how individuals can become all consumed by their beliefs. We also were greatly influenced by the speeches Jones gave, as we wanted to recreate something similar at the beginning of our trailer.
To read more on Research click here..
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