American Experience Season 17 Episode 11 Guerilla: the Taking of Patty Hearst

In season 17 episode 11 of American Experience, viewers are taken through the gripping story of the abduction and subsequent brainwashing of heiress Patty Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) in 1974. The episode, titled “Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst,” delves into the radical political climate of the 1970s and the proclivity for violent political factions to emerge.

Patty Hearst, a 19-year-old student living in California, was taken from her apartment at gunpoint by the SLA, a radical left-wing organization. The kidnapping, caught on camera by a passerby, shocked the world and initiated one of the most famous abduction cases in American history. What followed was a baffling series of events that would change the course of Hearst's life forever.

The episode explores the events leading up to Hearst's abduction, as well as the actions taken by the SLA in an attempt to wage a guerrilla war against the government. The group's members, many of whom were disillusioned college students, espoused a radical ideology based on Marxist-Leninist thought. Their goal was to overthrow the government and establish a new socialist society in the United States.

The episode also delves into Hearst's early life and the circumstances that made her vulnerable to manipulation. Born into a wealthy and influential family, Hearst was raised in privilege and safety. However, she was also sheltered and somewhat isolated from the social realities of the outside world, which left her naive and unprepared for the trauma that was to come.

The episode examines the strategies used by the SLA to break Hearst's will and turn her into a willing participant in their cause. Through a combination of physical and psychological abuse, the group attempted to brainwash Hearst and force her to embrace their radical ideology.

Viewers are privy to Hearst's transformation from victim to accomplice and the aftermath of her participation in the SLA's crimes. The episode covers Hearst's arrest and eventual trial, where she was found guilty of bank robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. Later, she received a presidential pardon from President Carter.

“Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst” is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that explores the complicated psychological and political forces at play during one of the most notorious abductions in American history. It is a must-watch for fans of true crime and political documentaries, as well as those interested in examining the radical political climate of the 1970s.