Nov 10, 2014 the cia finally sets the record straight on the true story behind argo. The political drama argo is based on the real story of a ciaplanned rescue in revolutionary iran. Former cia officers join the acclaimed creator and actors from fxs the americans onstage at ucla for a lively discussion about the facts. A great escape that takes some leaps ben afflecks argo chronicles a covert operation to rescue six americans during the.
Nov 11, 2014 on the 35th anniversary of the iranian hostage crisis, the cia released a series of tweets pointing out the factual flaws in argo. Ken taylor sets the record straight about argos take on. In the movies dramatic climax, stevens writes, the broadly accurate retelling of real events gives way to some fairly whopping dramatic license. Iran hostage crisis film fiddles with the facts w5. Based on the true story of the 1979 hostage crisis in tehran, argo portrays the eventual rescue of six american diplomats by cia agents posing as a film crew. Moreover, it calls attention to how the film could have been something quite different. Expertly directed, yet short on substance, argo excites while failing to enlighten. The true story behind the new movie argo about how cia operatives posing as a hollywood production team rescued six americans hiding in iran during the 1979 embassy crisis.
The cia twitter account juxtaposed ben afflecks 2012 film argo, which details the successful cia operation to evacuate six americans trapped in. The cia finally sets the record straight on the true story. But the story of the movie argo the real fictional movie is based on true events. Explore the argo true story and meet the real tony mendez aka kevin harkins. The agency has tweeted what really happened 35 years. A great escape that takes some leaps ben afflecks argo chronicles a covert operation to rescue six americans during the iran hostage crisis.
Jan 20, 2019 tony mendez, the real cia spy in argo argo. With ben affleck, bryan cranston, john goodman, alan arkin. Separate the argo real story from the ben affleck argo movie fiction. The film traces his journey through the fierce wilderness and deathdefying prison. The true story behind true story based on the real case of an accused murderer and a disgraced journalist, true story reveals that telling the truth can be a slippery concept. Argo, the true story as revealed by the houseguest, mark lijek. How much of fargo is actually based on a true story. Argo, as seen by the iran hostage crisis survivors the. Although its about a fake film, it is a real story displayed miraculously. Argo movie true story meet the real tony mendez and the. Nov 07, 2014 based on the true story of the 1979 hostage crisis in tehran, argo portrays the eventual rescue of six american diplomats by cia agents posing as a film crew.
Tony mendez was a cia agent who singlehandedly dreamed up the cockamamie rescue scenario that would see him fly into tehran, prep the six americans with the cover story that they were. Oct 04, 2016 fargo starts with text that says this is a true story, adding that the events of the film happened in minnesota in 1987. The film, starring affleck as mendez, and bryan cranston, alan arkin, and john goodman in supporting roles, was released in the united states on october 12, 2012. Ethan coen first explained why the pair added the true story disclaimer to the film, saying, we wanted to make a movie just in the genre of a true story movie. Ben afflecks film argo tells the bizarre story of how in 1980 the cia with canadian help sprang a group of americans from iran after they escaped a us embassy overrun by protestors. The true story behind operation argo to rescue americans. The true story behind ben afflecks globewinning film former cia deputy director michael morell also tweeted that mendez was one of the best officers.
Thats most definitely true of ben afflecks argo, as the central intelligence agency was. Using hollywood connections, mendez creates a back story for the movie ads in variety, casting calls, inviting he media to a production launch and then heads off to iran to lead the six. On the 35th anniversary of the iran hostage crisis, the ciathrough its twitter accountfactchecked ben afflecks oscarwinning 2012 film. Individuals who inspired characters speak out about film, hostage crisis ben afflecks argo tells a taut version of the events surrounding the iranian hostage crisis. It was produced by grant heslov, affleck and george clooney.
At the center of it all is cia extract specialist tony mendez. As is this movie about that fake movie and the real story that surrounded it. To prove the movies accuracy, throughout the movie and in the credits, they display actual footage and images from 1979 along with their recreation. A postscript during the films end titles citing the argo incident as a model of international cooperation makes much more sense when you keep those facts in mind. The truth which argo artfully obscures is that the cover story was never tested and. The true story behind the new movie argo about how cia operatives posing as a hollywood production team rescued six americans hiding in iran during the. The events depicted in this film took place in minnesota in 1987. The true story behind ben afflecks globewinning film. The true story behind ben afflecks globewinning film former cia deputy director michael morell also tweeted that. Like its declassified true story, a team effort is conducted and celebrated with argo.
The coen brothers reveal fargo is based on a true story. And a movie about a movie, or even a fake movie, is an easy sell, mr. Movies based on real events often take creative liberties, veering from the truth for dramatic effect. Argo is a heroic story without requiring a studly action hero. The movie argo, up for seven oscars at this years academy awards, is based on the true story of the cia rescue of americans in tehran during.
At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Based on the true story of the 1979 hostage crisis in tehran, argo portrays the eventual rescue of six american diplomats by cia agents posing. Ben afflecks film argo tells the bizarre story of how in 1980 the cia with canadian help sprang a group of americans. But affleck doesnt do these things, instead positioning the movie, somewhat disingenuously, as the real behindtheheadlines story of the rescues unsung heroes. Find out which details of the 20 best picture winner were true, and which were hollywood fabrications. The facts and fiction behind the ben affleck movie. The agency has tweeted what really happened 35 years ago. While this film will become timely by circumstance, once again, it earns its merit, attention, and appreciation without needing the boost. The reason things went so much smoother in reallife.
Feb 28, 20 200 videos play all argo 2012 full movie walk like a panther 2018 full movie escape from iran. Argo is an entertaining, inspirational story with a reallife political backdrop. Argo, like beautiful mind, plays out as a clever mix of genre formulas. Yes, the storyboards were created, but the real story behind argo reveals that tony mendez never gave them to the officers at the airport argo. The opening minutes feel lifted from a documentary about the 1970s iranian revolution. Watch tony mendez interviews and an hourlong pbs documentary from 1980 titled canadian caper, which was the name given to the joint uscanada operation to rescue the six americans. The extraction of the six americans remained top secret for 18 years. Tony mendez, clandestine cia hero of ben afflecks argo, reveals the real story behind film smash. Furthermore, the title card that preceded the action declared, the events depicted in this. Macleans asserted that the movie rewrites history at.
While researching the i still believe true story, we discovered that singersongwriter jeremy camp was closely involved in the making of the movie. In describing argo to bill oreilly, affleck boasted, you know, it was such a great story. Great stories provide great meaninga purpose to lifes events. See video of the real people behind the argo movie. At the center of his mostly true thriller are six american embassy workers who, upon fleeing the american embassy, took refuge in the home of the canadian. Could ben afflecks argo have been more entertaining had it stuck closer to the facts of its truestory. Oct, 2012 argo is a heroic story without requiring a studly action hero. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred. Was the real jeremy camp involved in the making of the film.
And then, in the end, this is a story about outwitting rather than killing the enemy, making it a homage to actual intelligence and an example of the same. Ron howards oscarwinning a beautiful mind unfolds as a psychothriller, mentalillness melodrama, and touching romance depending on the scene, but fits into a peg hole easier than the unpredictable story behind it. Not only is this movie entertaining, but it is an important part in our history. Apr 23, 2014 yes, argo 2012 movie was based on a true story. Both the real story and its cinematic rendition feature moments of courage, bravery and ingenuity. Argo recreates the storming of the us embassy in tehran in november 1979. Im sure the original argo screenplay was a brilliant, underappreciated work. Ben afflecks movie, argo, claims to be a true story and while its widely regarded as one of the best pictures of the year, garnering multiple nominations and awards, the truth is its.
Real event seeks to demystify the cias mission by comparing whats seen on tv to what happens in reality. In a recent interview with the huffington post, the coen brothers set the record straight about whats real in fargo and what isnt. Because we say its based on a true story, rather than this is a. The true story behind operation argo to rescue americans from iran. Acting under the cover of a hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a cia agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six americans in. Oct 12, 2012 argo, the new movie from actordirector ben affleck, has mostly been getting ravesincluding a qualified but fairly strong endorsement from slates own dana stevens, who calls it a rollicking yarn and easily the most cohesive and technically accomplished of afflecks three films so far. Imdb, the worlds most popular and authoritative source for movie, tv and celebrity content. Argo tells the story of a topsecret cia operation to exfiltrate six american embassy workers hiding in tehran during the iranian hostage crisis of 1980.
Based on the real case of an accused murderer and a disgraced journalist, true story reveals that telling the truth can be a slippery concept. Piers morgan welcomes the real people behind the story of argo. It turns out canadian ambassador ken taylor played by victor garber and a fellow embassy employee john sheardown who does not appear in the film were more involved with the rescue effort than the movie suggests. There is a lot of dramatic licence and sheer invention in the movie, to the point that only the barest outline of the story is actually true. Strangerthanfiction mission snuck six americans out of khomeinis iran. Jan 21, 2018 the film is based on the real life escape story of dieter dengler. But the story of the movie argothe real fictional movieis based on true events. Argo s central, nutty storylinein which the cia establishes a fake movie production, complete with a full script and ads in variety and the hollywood reporter, in order to rescue six. In fact, the film is based on his memoir i still believe, published in 2011. Upon release, argo received widespread acclaim, with praise directed towards the acting. The cia finally sets the record straight on the true story behind argo. Oct 10, 2012 tony mendez, clandestine cia hero of ben afflecks argo, reveals the real story behind film smash. While it has an r rating, many pg movies seem to have as much questionable material for children as this movie does. Is the argo story true did they really do a fake movie to get those people out of iran.
Various pieces of concept art for the film still exist today and have appeared on display in spy related exhibits around the us. The central intelligence agency wants to set the record straight on argo, the 2012 oscarwinning film about a daring rescue operation in iran. Jan 14, 20 ben afflecks film argo tells the bizarre story of how in 1980 the cia with canadian help sprang a group of americans from iran after they escaped a us embassy overrun by protestors. The true story behind ben afflecks globewinning film bbc.
And argo is just a movie, a scripted version of a true story. Just how accurate was ben afflecks 2012 movie argo. Jul 14, 2017 the true story behind operation argo to rescue americans from iran. When the us embassy is overtaken the 6 us diplomats go right to the canadian. On the 35th anniversary of the iranian hostage crisis, the cia released a series of tweets pointing out the factual flaws in argo. Argo, the acclaimed ben affleck directed film, is back in theatres across the nation. Ben affleck not only stars in but also directs, and argo, the real movie about the fake movie, is both spellbinding and surprisingly funny. I had no problem pretending to be in the movie industry. Argo movie true story meet the real tony mendez and the 6. Thats most definitely true of ben afflecks argo, as.
Tony mendez is an ex filtration specialist who proposes that they pose as a canadian film crew scouting locations for a science fiction movie called argo. It was the indomitable will of the man that keeps him going, and he appears before the press as a handsome. An excerpt from antonio mendez and matt baglios new book, argo. The film, which has received seven oscar nominations including one for best picture, is based on reallife events. This love letter to the early 80s and moviemaking offers little in the area of thematic resonance. Tony mendez, clandestine cia hero of ben afflecks argo. While afflecks movie stays relatively true to the story, some parts deviated from the real operation. The canadian caper was the joint covert rescue by the canadian government and the cia of six american diplomats who had evaded capture during the seizure of the united states embassy in tehran, iran, on november 4, 1979, after the iranian revolution, when islamist students took most of the american embassy personnel hostage, demanding the return of the usbacked shah for trial. In reality, writerdirector duo joel and ethan coen loosely based the. While it has an r rating, many pg movies seem to have as much questionable material for children as. In 1996, we were led to believe the coen brothers breakthrough film, fargo, was a true story. I think the posters and marketing get it perfectly right.
Its worth noting that like zero dark thirty, argo is based on a true story, its not a documentary. Nov 10, 2014 movies based on real events often take creative liberties, veering from the truth for dramatic effect. Argo is an entertaining, inspirational story with a real life political backdrop. Merging the overt world of hollywood with the covert mission of the cia, the agencys reel vs. Fiction argo hails from hollywood, so the movie houseguests endure a whole lot more of all kinds of jeopardy than apparently happened in real life. Argo, the new movie from actordirector ben affleck, has mostly been getting ravesincluding a qualified but fairly strong endorsement from slates own dana stevens, who calls it a rollicking yarn and easily the most cohesive and technically accomplished of afflecks three films so far.