Watch 3 Hikers

3 Hikers is a documentary film that chronicles the story of three young Americans - Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Joshua Fattal, who were captured by Iranian border guards while hiking in Kurdistan in 2009. The film offers a first-hand account of their 2-year-long ordeal in captivity and the brutal conditions they faced in Tehran's Evin prison.

The movie begins with a brief introduction of each of the three hikers and follows their journey as they embark on a hiking trip near the Iran-Iraq border. The trio had no idea that they were about to enter an area with several landmines and were quickly captured by Iranian guards, who accused them of spying.

The film combines interviews, animation, and archival footage to provide an intimate look at the experiences of the hikers and how they coped with the physical and mental torture that they faced from their captors. Director Natalie Avital expertly weaves together the different elements to highlight the personal struggles of the three hikers during their long months of isolation and captivity.

Throughout the movie, we hear first-hand accounts from the three hikers, their families, and friends, as well as expert opinions from former US Navy SEALs and Iranian human rights activists. These interviews provide a broad and nuanced perspective on the geopolitical and human rights issues surrounding the hikers' capture.

The film shows how the hikers' families worked tirelessly to secure their release, drawing international attention and highlighting the cruel treatment that the hikers faced in prison. However, the film also highlights the political complexities that surrounded their freedom, including the then-leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's domestic political situation and broader US-Iran tensions.

3 Hikers has an intimate and poignant tone that captures the emotional turmoil and the physical pain suffered by the three Americans. The film does a great job of placing their story within the political context of the time, while at the same time keeping the focus on the individual struggles of the hikers.

Overall, 3 Hikers is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that highlights the human cost of political turmoil and state-sanctioned oppression. The film is a testament to the strength of human spirit and endurance, and a tribute to the families who never gave up on their loved ones. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in human rights, activism, and global politics.

3 Hikers is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.