2 missionaries kidnapped in 1998 reveal their story through film


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SALT LAKE CITY — The year was 1998 when two Latter-day Saint missionaries were kidnapped in Russia. Until now, we have never really known what happened during their five days of captivity, but a new film will reveal the details of their experience.

Travis Tuttle and Andrew Propst said they were hesitant to share such a personal experience, but they hope what was both life-threatening and life-changing will positively affect audiences everywhere.

In March of 1998, Elders Andrew Propst and Travis Tuttle were serving in Saratov, Russia, when they were approached by a young man who invited them to share their message.

Instead of sharing a gospel message, the missionaries were attacked and taken to a remote location. The kidnappers demanded $300,000 ransom.

Propst said he is pleased with the end result of the film.

"I was filled with gratitude, humility and just absolute excitement that our story was captured so perfectly," Propst said.

Screenwriter Garrett Batty was a film student at BYU when the kidnapping happened.

"Coming out of film classes where we were being told to use authenticity, be genuine in your storytelling — that type of lesson stuck with me. Then seeing these headlines, here are the realities right in front of me, and it made an impact on me," Batty said.

He never forgot the lesson or the story of the kidnapping.

Several years ago, Batty began writing the script for the movie and talked with Propst and Tuttle, eventually convincing them to let him make the movie.

The abduction of Propst and Tuttle became an international incident, and President Bill Clinton asked for their release. The former missionaries said that what happened was a miracle.


There is no reason for us to be alive, sitting here today. We really should not have walked away alive.

–Travis Tuttle


"There is no reason for us to be alive, sitting here today," Tuttle said. "We really should not have walked away alive. We've said the two biggest mistakes they made were taking us and then setting us free."

"The prayers of all nations, all religions came together and empowered us to help them soften (the kidnappers) hearts," Propst said.

Everyone with the film believes the story, with so much heart and forgiveness, will have appeal beyond the LDS faith.

Maclain Nelson, who plays Elder Propst in the film, said, "We think that it does have the connection to the human spirit enough that it will find an audience outside of Utah and outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

"We hold no grudges," Tuttle said. "And we want (the audience) to have determination and knowledge that when something bad happens to you that you can still pick the pieces up off the ground and you can still carry on with life."

I have never forgotten this story — it was the first I covered as KSL's new religion reporter. I reported the kidnapping and the release, but I never knew the real story until a few years ago when Garrett Batty talked with me about the story and I interviewed both Tuttle and Propst.

"The Saratov Approach" opens in Utah theaters Wednesday, Oct. 9.

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Carole Mikita

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