Argo (2012)

A dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran.

Director:

Ben Affleck

Writers:

Chris Terrio (screenplay), Tony Mendez (based on a selection from "The Master of Disguise" by),

Stars:

Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin

Won 3 Oscars. Another 63 wins & 64 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Affleck	...	Tony Mendez
Bryan Cranston	...	Jack O'Donnell
Alan Arkin	...	Lester Siegel
John Goodman	...	John Chambers
Victor Garber	...	Ken Taylor
Tate Donovan	...	Bob Anders
Clea DuVall	...	Cora Lijek
Scoot McNairy	...	Joe Stafford
Rory Cochrane	...	Lee Schatz
Christopher Denham	...	Mark Lijek
Kerry Bishé	...	Kathy Stafford
Kyle Chandler	...	Hamilton Jordan
Chris Messina	...	Malinov
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Robert Pender
Titus Welliver	...	Bates

Storyline

In 1979, the American embassy in Iran was invaded by Iranian revolutionaries and several Americans were taken hostage. However, six managed to escape to the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador and the CIA was eventually ordered to get them out of the country. With few options, exfiltration expert Tony Mendez devised a daring plan: to create a phony Canadian film project looking to shoot in Iran and smuggle the Americans out as its production crew. With the help of some trusted Hollywood contacts, Mendez created the ruse and proceed to Iran as its associate producer. However, time was running out with the Iranian security forces closing in on the truth while both his charges and the White House had grave doubts about the operation themselves.

---

Plot Keywords:

canadian | hostage | cia | ambassador | u.s. embassy | 

---

Taglines:

Based on the exaggerated true story.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Persian

Release Date:

12 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape from Tehran

Filming Locations:

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Box Office

Budget:

$44,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$19,458,109 (USA) (12 October 2012)

Gross:

$136,019,448 (USA) (19 April 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, GK Films, Smokehouse Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 130 min (Extended Version)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The main person who pushed the Canadian caper story to be published was former CIA director George Tenet (1997-2004). While the story was never published due to bureaucracy and the yet to be concluded Iran hostage crisis, it was only in 1997 when Tenet assumed directorship of the agency and in conjunction with the agency's 50th anniversary that he persuaded Tony Mendez to write his account and memoir of the caper.

---

Goofs

As a ruse to make certain he would be patched through to speak with President Carter's Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan, CIA Agent Jack O'Donnell asks one of his aides where Malinov's children go to school. She answers, Pace Academy, Buckhead, Georgia. The city of Buckhead is 75 miles from Pace Academy. The school is in Atlanta, in a neighborhood known locally as Buckhead.

---

Quotes

Jack O'Donnell: [to Tony Mendez] The whole country is watching you, they just don't know it

---

Crazy Credits

As the end credits begin, a picture of the actual passport of each fake film crew member is displayed next to picture of the actor in the film, showing the similarities between the two faces. Then archive photos from the period are displayed next to pictures shot for the film.

---

Connections

References Network (1976)

---

Soundtracks

"Abwoon Call to Prayer"
Written and Performed by 'Jahanara Laura Mangus'

User Reviews

Nice story, but not even close to actual events....Shameful

Hollywood always takes liberties with how they recreate true historical events. This isn't a bit of liberties taken, this is not even close to the true story. Here's whats accurate. There were hostages and 6 others were rescued and helped to escape from Iran. It only requires a little research to read the true story of how the 6 individuals were saved. When it comes to history, if you wish to show it in cinema, or writing, it would really be much better if you stuck to the truth. Any person who does not know the details of this incident, now believes this movie to be the gospel. Read some of the other reviews and they say it themselves. Was the movie well done. Yes, it was a good movie. If Ben Affleck was a half decent individual he would come out and credit the true heroes of this historical incident. For those who are truly interested, it was a joint effort. But unlike the movies depiction, the true hero was the Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. He has been quoted as saying" he feels slighted by the movie because it makes Canada look like a meek observer to CIA heroics in the rescue of six U.S. citizens caught in the crisis." If you were old enough to remember it in 1979, you remember the celebrations and all the talk from everyone from Politician, to stars, to the average person, of how thankful they were for what he, his staff, and Canada to help these six people. The CIA did play a part, but according to Ben, Canada provided nothing more than a place to sleep and meals to the six. Shameful recreation. Ben Affleck should be embarrassed, but I'm sure he isn't.