Watch American Experience: Ruby Ridge

American Experience: Ruby Ridge is a documentary film that tells the story of the controversial standoff between federal agents and the Weaver family in Idaho in 1992. The film uses archival footage, interviews with key figures involved in the event, and re-enactments to explore the circumstances that led to the standoff, the siege itself, and its aftermath.

The film begins by introducing viewers to Randy Weaver, a former Green Beret who lived with his family in a remote cabin in the northern Idaho woods. Weaver, who held strong anti-government views, had been involved in several run-ins with the law, and had failed to show up for court on charges of selling sawed-off shotguns. As a result, he was pursued by U.S. Marshals and eventually holed up in his cabin with his family, including his wife Vicki and their children.

The government's response to the standoff was led by the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, who established a perimeter around Weaver's property and began negotiations with him. However, tensions escalated when a sniper shot and killed Weaver's 14-year-old son Sammy, who was unarmed and running to the cabin. The killing further inflamed Randy Weaver's distrust of the government and set off a chain of events that would lead to a 10-day siege.

The FBI's response to the tragedy was heavily criticized, both for their handling of negotiations and the use of military-style tactics such as armored vehicles and helicopters. One of the documentary's interviewees, former FBI agent Peter Ahearn, expresses regret over the decision to send in the Hostage Rescue Team, calling it an overreaction that led to unnecessary loss of life.

The film also explores the role of far-right activists in the Ruby Ridge siege, including Bo Gritz, a former Green Beret who attempted to negotiate with Weaver on the government's behalf, and Dave Hunt, a Christian radio host who provided a platform for Weaver's views. Both men are portrayed as sympathetic to Weaver's cause, and the film suggests that their involvement may have contributed to the government's decision to escalate the situation.

Throughout the siege, Vicki Weaver remained holed up in the cabin with her daughters, while Randy Weaver and a family friend named Kevin Harris held out in a nearby shed. The FBI's tactics became increasingly aggressive, and on day eight of the siege, a sniper shot and killed Vicki Weaver while she was holding her ten-month-old daughter. The killing sparked outrage and condemnation, further exposing the deep divisions between the Weavers and the government.

The documentary also examines the aftermath of the Ruby Ridge standoff, including the trials of Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris, who were both acquitted of murder charges but convicted of lesser offenses. The film highlights the broader political and cultural context of the incident, including the rise of far-right groups and the growing culture of distrust between the government and citizens in rural areas.

Overall, American Experience: Ruby Ridge is a thought-provoking and sobering exploration of a tragic episode in American history, one that continues to resonate today in debates over government overreach, firearms regulation, and civil liberties.

American Experience: Ruby Ridge is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 53 minutes.