Argo (2012): A Truth Stranger Than Fiction

Every once in awhile you hear about something that makes you breakout in gooseflesh at the audaciousness of the idea or story.

Argo is that gooseflesh inducing item in question. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, the film is about a time period in the world that changed my path forever.

In November 1979 Iranians stormed the US Embassy in Tehran. A group of Embassy staff were taken hostage. The world, in particular the United States, was in an uproar. American people were outraged that someone would so blatantly ‘kick sand in America’s face’ and I was one of those people.

By March of the next year when the hostages were still being held, in a fit of patriotic fever, I joined the United States Air Force to add my name to the roll of folks who wanted to go over and kick some ass. I was in Basic Training at Lackland AFB in Texas when the overt rescue operation was attempted. That operation ended in death and defeat with the bodies of the rescuers being paraded down Iranian streets.

We had been called out of our regular training duties and told that the US had declared war on Iran and that we would be re-deployed to our new units. It was sad, shocking and not true. What that did, besides impress us that our job was war and to not forget it, was it impressed us with the consequences of any rescue operation overt or covert.

Argo is about the other rescue mounted to help Americans trapped in Iran. The covert one that was a joint Canadian and CIA operation.

I remember that six members of staff made it out of the Embassy. I also remember the same six folks disembarking from an aircraft while a television reporter told of their escape from the Embassy and how they hid in houses till they were rescued.

I also seem to remember that they were either touted a being Canadian or having Canadian passports. What I did not know was how they were rescued. Until now.

The film is about operation Canadian Caper and the mastermind behind it who also entered Tehran as a location scout for a film. Using this cover and providing the six captives with specially approved Canadian passports CIA Operative Tony Mendez personally got the hostages out.

Argo is the story about this little known rescue and all the people behind it and the people who were forced to hide until they were rescued.

Watching the trailer for this film got me so excited I had to see this film. Period. Imean, seriously? Truth is so much stranger than fiction. Who would believe the proposed plot for a proposed film that centred around a government secret agency who “make a movie” in a revolution torn country and rescue hostages? Really??

The cast list is impressive:

• Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez
• Bryan Cranston as Jack O’Donnell
• Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel
• John Goodman as John Chambers
• Kyle Chandler as Hamilton Jordan
• Victor Garber as Ken Taylor
• Tate Donovan as Bob Anders
• Clea DuVall as Cora Lijek
• Michael Parks as Jack Kirby
• Tom Lenk as Rodd
• Christopher Stanley as Tom Ahern

Argo is set to premier November this year and I can’t wait. It looks like Ben Affleck has found his niche as a quality director.

Have a look at this trailer and then tell me you can’t wait to see this film! I’ve tagged this upcoming film as a Blockbuster and I’ll be surprised if it’s not.

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Author: Michael Knox-Smith

Former Actor, Former Writer, Former Journalist, USAF Veteran, Former Member Nevada Film Critics Society (As Michael Smith) View all posts by Michael Knox-Smith