David Koresh: Preacher of Fire

Born Vernon Howell on August 17, 1959, the man who would become David Koresh had a troubled childhood, which led him to seek refuge in the Bible and its teachings, a psychological and spiritual shelter that would later enable him to become a charismatic Bible interpreter in his own right, and eventually leader of the apocalyptic Branch Davidian sect. His career ended, as most Americans know, in the immense tragedy that occurred at Waco, TX, on April 19, 1993. Through interviews with Howell's mother, grandmother, present and former Branch Davidian members, and other players in this grisly drama, A&E's Biography does its usual excellent job of presenting a balanced view of the life, times, and frightening end of this troubled, and troubling, man. Viewers will learn about Koresh's sojourn in Israel (after which he adopted the name Koresh, which in Hebrew means "Cyrus"); his time as leader of the Branch Davidians; and, finally, witness a detailed examination of the events surrounding the siege at the Mt. Carmel compound near Waco, TX, which includes interviews with Justice Dept. officials as well as counsel for the survivors and families of those killed in the melee. The program ends with the information that a wrongful death lawsuit, filed by survivors and families of these victims, would be heard in court in May 2000. The verdict, pronounced on July 14, 2000, by an advisory jury, found that the government was not at fault in these deaths, thus rendering this story--as presented here--prematurely incomplete. Still, for its insights into Koresh's life, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Rechel)