I'm Rebecca Lavoie, and this is You Can't Make This Up.

You Can't Make This Up is the podcast where we uncover the true stories behind your favorite Netflix documentaries and films.

On today's episode, we take a closer look at the Netflix documentary film, Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart.

When I made my bid for freedom, I wanted it to be a sure thing.

I was going to do whatever it took to escape.

Today, we're talking to director Benedict Sanderson and executive producer Claire Goodlase.

In 2002, after 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was snatched from her bedroom, police were stymied

by clues that sent them in opposite directions. And when their lead suspect died in custody,

investigators thought the answer to the

kidnapping died with him. They had no idea that only a few miles away, two people were holding

Elizabeth captive in the woods. The young woman had to endure a violent existence at the hands of

her abductors, all awaiting for the right moment to escape. The Netflix documentary film Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart goes deep inside the famous crime

with the stories of those who were there, including Elizabeth herself.

She talks in detail about her abduction, the abuse she suffered, and the lengths she went to

stay safe in captivity.

We also hear from her family about how they kept the search going

to have that reunion with their missing loved one.

And I said, Elizabeth, is it really you?

And then she goes, yes, Dad.

Yeah. And I'm joined now by director Benedict Sanderson and executive producer Claire Goodlast. Welcome to You Can't Make This Up.

Thanks for having us. Thanks for having us, yeah. Ben, there have been a lot of treatments of the Elizabeth Smart story, including a book she wrote herself.

I'm curious what you thought you wanted to bring to this story that would be different

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