Argo (2012)
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A CIA operative orchestrates a daring rescue of six American diplomats from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis using a fake Hollywood film production as a cover.
The story
In 1979, during the Iran hostage crisis, six American diplomats are secretly sheltered by the Canadian ambassador. The U.S. State Department seeks a way to exfiltrate them and consults Tony Mendez, a CIA expert. Inspired by a science-fiction film, Mendez devises a daring plan: the diplomats will pose as Canadian filmmakers scouting locations for a fake sci-fi movie titled 'Argo'. To ensure the ruse succeeds, Mendez works with a Hollywood producer to create a fake production company. The mission becomes a high-stakes game of deception as the group must navigate the complexities of the Iranian landscape while maintaining their cover to secure their escape.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, six diplomats are hidden by Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor. CIA specialist Tony Mendez develops a plan to extract them by posing them as a film crew for the movie 'Argo'. Mendez, using the alias Kevin Harkins, provides the group with fake identities and Canadian passports. They navigate a tense environment, including a dangerous encounter at a bazaar. Despite a last-minute order to abandon the mission in favor of a military rescue, Mendez pushes forward, securing a flight for the group. They successfully board a plane and escape Iran. The U.S. involvement is kept secret, and credit is given to the Canadian government. The film concludes with a look at the real-life figures involved, noting that the remaining hostages were released after 444 days.
- First release year
- 2012
- Runtime (minutes)
- 120
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ben Affleck
- Writers
- Chris Terrio · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Ben Affleck · Mendez; Bryan Cranston; Alan Arkin · Lester Siegel; John Goodman
- Genres
- historical; political; espionage; drama; thriller
- Themes
- deception; espionage; international cooperation
- Tone and mood
- tense; suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- based on true events; historical fiction; political thriller
- Reception
- The film was a box office success and received widespread critical acclaim for its acting, direction, screenplay, editing, and score, though some critics noted flaws in historical accuracy.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 86 · scale: 100 · review count: 45; CinemaScore · score: A+ · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Picture · win; Academy Award · Best Adapted Screenplay · win; Academy Award · Best Film Editing · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Motion Picture – Drama · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Director · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture · nomination; Screen Actors Guild Award · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · win; Screen Actors Guild Award · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role · nomination; British Academy Film Award · Best Film · win; British Academy Film Award · Best Director · win; Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award · Best Screenplay · win; Hochi Film Award · Best International Picture · win
- Production trivia
- The film's title was originally 'Lord of Light' before being changed to 'Argo'.; The fictional production office 'Studio Six' received 26 real scripts after the mission.; The film used a 1970s-era Warner Bros. logo for historical accuracy.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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