Performance & Direction: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst Review
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (1979) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Ordeal of Patty Hearst features a noteworthy lineup led by Dennis Weaver . Supported by the likes of Lisa Eilbacher and David Haskell , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst
Quick Plot Summary: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst is a Crime, Drama, TV Movie film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst
Ending Breakdown: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Ordeal of Patty Hearst reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Ordeal of Patty Hearst Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Ordeal of Patty Hearst incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, tv movie film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Ordeal of Patty Hearst?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: The Ordeal of Patty Hearst
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The Ordeal of Patty Hearst Parents Guide & Age Rating
1979 AdvisoryWondering about The Ordeal of Patty Hearst age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Ordeal of Patty Hearst is 139 minutes (2h 19m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Ordeal of Patty Hearst is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1979 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ordeal of Patty Hearst worth watching?
The Ordeal of Patty Hearst is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Ordeal of Patty Hearst parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Ordeal of Patty Hearst identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Ordeal of Patty Hearst?
The total duration of The Ordeal of Patty Hearst is 139 minutes, which is approximately 2h 19m long.
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movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
