【Passion's Peak (2002)】

Wild Wild Countryis the story of Rajneeshpuram,Passion's Peak (2002) a commune established in rural Oregon in the 1980s by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Over six episodes, filmmakers Chapman Way and Maclain Way interview Rajneesh's followers, law enforcement officials, and residents of the tiny town of Antelope, Oregon right next to where this began.

By most accounts, the story of the sannyasins (Rajneesh's followers) sounds like any '80s cult, but as the story unfolds it includes immigration fraud, criminal prosecution, and a sprinkling of biological warfare.

SEE ALSO: I found the commune from 'Wild Wild Country' on Google Earth, and it looks startlingly different today

Though Rajneesh is the center of his religious movement, the most compelling player in the saga is Ma Anand Sheela, his secretary and early disciple whose relationship with Rajneesh sours drastically by the end. She is calm, collected, and well-spoken on camera – both in the present and in old interviews – but with a a jagged edge that reveals itself when people question Rajneesh or she feels her community threatened.

Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

As Rajneeshpuram gained national attention, Sheela became the movement's spokesperson, cheerfully alluding to physical violence on television while running PR for Rajneesh. As much as the former sannyasins speak of Rajneesh's magnetism and power, Sheela is the one with more face time in the documentary, and it's through her that you sense how he must have charmed his disciples.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Those disciples, like Sheela, are now in their 60s and 70s. They still speak effusively of the late guru, some tearing up with the emotional impact of their time at Rajneeshpuram. Their testimony does not sound like that of the brainwashed or manipulated, but recalls the rise and fall of Rajneeshpuram with startling lucidity. They tear up recalling how Rajneesh made them feel, shake their heads at those who fought him and his feud with Sheela.

Instead of telling you the story of a forgotten cult, Wild Wild Country takes you right into it. You'll start out wondering how anyone could get pulled into such a scheme, then find yourself intrigued by the sannyasins' world and lifestyle. For something that seems far removed from today's society, the series is deeply immersive and appropriately paced. It's nothing if not a wild ride – and a perfect binge.

Wild Wild Countryis now streaming on Netflix.

---

Featured Video For You

---

A deep dive into the Antarctic Ocean reveals stunning views of wildlife

---

Topics Documentaries

• Life
• Tech
• Deals
• Science
• Entertainment
• Games
• Shopping
• Digital Culture

• The fat bears are already extremely fat
• Trump tweeted a bizarre 2020 hype video set to music from 'The Dark Knight Rises'
• Apple just announced the M2 iPad Pro and colorful new iPads
• Yes, you can teach your cat to fetch
• Best soundbar deal: Save $300 on the Sonos Arc
• YouTubers Cole and Sav pranked their daughter by pretending to disown their puppy
• Jameela Jamil posts Instagram about the stretch marks on her boobs
• 8 spooky Airbnb and Vrbo listings just in time for Halloween
• Best keyboard deals: Save on Asus gaming keyboards at Amazon
• The dark side of college

• Raiders vs. Browns 2024 livestream: How to watch NFL for free
• Verizon outage phone stuck on SOS: What to do
• How to use Instagram's 'best practices' for creator accounts
• NYT Strands hints, answers for September 29
• When will the Verizon outage be fixed? Here’s what we know
• All about the new Gemini features coming to Chromebooks this fall
• The best monster movies of the 2010s
• Why does the alt
• What not to buy during Amazon's October Prime Day sale
• Ohio State vs. MSU football livestreams without cable: kickoff time, streaming deals, and more

• Skywatching is lit in May, says NASA
• Chris Hemsworth's birthday video message to Robert Downey Jr. is simple perfection
• Best streaming deal: 50% off annual Paramount+ subscriptions, plus a free Fire Stick
• This alignment test will tell you if you're a stupid horny baby
• The strangeness of Japan's decision to start openly hunting whales
• Chris Hemsworth has been casually vandalising his fellow Avengers' movie posters
• Is the new iPad basically the same as iPad Air? The answer is no.
• Presenter makes the ultimate 4
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for April 17: Tips to solve Connections #206
• 5 places to buy super Instagrammable plants

• How to Reboot and Reset Android Devices
• Best streaming deal: 50% off annual Paramount+ subscriptions, plus a free Fire Stick
• Pete Buttigieg officiated a couple's wedding 45 minutes before their child was born
• 7 animals that found love after they had given up all hope
• Is it 'Thunderbolts*' or *The New Avengers'?
• Dog gets super pumped every time someone scores a basket
• Parler leaked verified users' private email addresses in Kanye West acquisition announcement
• 'The Watcher's John Graff is based on grim true story of family annihilation
• Fritz vs. Ruud 2025 livestream: Watch Madrid Open for free
• 'According to my calculations' is the latest hot take meme