ABC NEWS SPECIAL: WACO: THE DECISION TO DIE (TV)
Summary
This news special, anchored by Peter Jennings, examines the causes of the deaths and devastation at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. After a fifty-one-day stand-off between heavily armed Branch Davidians and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the FBI implemented a frontal assault, ultimately resulting in a fire that claimed the lives of over sixty adults and twenty-four children. The apocalyptic philosophy and stance of the Branch Davidians' leader, David Koresh, is discussed, as are the reasons for his followers' obedience and devotion. Testimony from former Branch Davidian members address the proclivities of the megalomaniacal Koresh, offering accounts of child abuse, statutory rape, and the hoarding of firearms. Footage shot by an Australian documentary film crew before the group's face-off with the FBI depicts Koresh delivering a doom-laden sermon to his flock and performing rock music inspired by the New Testament's Book of Revelations. Next, Jennings discusses the FBI's widely criticized actions in an interview with FBI director William Sessions. The program includes excerpts of interviews with private detective Geoffrey Hossack, hostage expert Robert Fosen, and Koresh's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, as well as footage of comments by FBI spokesman Jeff Jamar, FBI Special Agent in Charge Bob Ricks, Dick Schwein of the FBI, Attorney General Janet Reno, and President Bill Clinton. Then, Cynthia Kisser of the Cult Awareness Network and former cult member Vicki Fallabel discuss the dismaying power that cults continue to hold over their members. Includes commercials, promos, and public service announcements. This program is closed-captioned.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Haas Foundation, 1997.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: April 20, 1993 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:27
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:31230
- GENRE: News; Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Branch Davidians; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Child abuse; Cults; Federal Bureau of Investigation; News; Religion; Religious communities
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1993
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "This Boy's Life" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - AT&T phone service
- TV - Commercials - Desenex foot spray
- TV - Commercials - Discover credit card
- TV - Commercials - Fruit Newton snacks
- TV - Commercials - Lenscrafters eyeglasses
- TV - Commercials - Lexus car
- TV - Commercials - Mannington Gold floors
- TV - Commercials - Odor-Eaters foot powder
- TV - Commercials - Orchard Crisps chips
- TV - Commercials - PrimeTime Live
- TV - Commercials - Promise spread
- TV - Commercials - Red Devil enamel paint
- TV - Commercials - Sherwin-Williams paints
- TV - Commercials - Sprint telephone service
- TV - Commercials - Stern's Miracle-Gro lawn products
- TV - Commercials - Super Poli-Grip denture adhesive
- TV - Commercials - UPS delivery service
- TV - PSA - Suplemental Security Income
- TV - Promos - "20/20"
- TV - Promos - "Home Front"
- TV - Promos - "Murder in the Heartland"
- TV - Promos - "Sirens"
- TV - Promos - "The Tommyknockers"
- TV - Promos - "Wild Palms"
CREDITS
- Peter Jennings … Anchor, Interviewer
- Tom Jarriel … Reporter
- James Walker … Reporter
- Bill Redeker … Reporter
- William Sessions … Guest
- Geoffrey Hossack … Guest
- Robert Fosen … Guest
- Dick DeGuerin … Guest
- Cynthia Kisser … Guest
- Vicki Fallabel … Guest
- Bill Clinton
- Jeff Jamar
- David Koresh
- Janet Reno
- Bob Ricks
- Dick Schwein