On November 4, 1979, a student protest in Tehran erupted into violence and a subsequent siege of the United States Embassy in Iran. On that day, the protesters took fifty-two American diplomats hostage. Despite this six escaped to the home of Canadian diplomat John Sheardown. The Central Intelligence Agency, in cooperation with the Canadian government, devised a plan to rescue those six men and women.
In 2012, director and actor Ben Affleck released a film entitled Argo based on the details of the rescue of the six escaped diplomats. The plot begins at the siege of the embassy, showing the six diplomats escaping. Later the CIA obtains this information and agent Tony Mendez devises a plan in which the six will pose as movie executives
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Regarding the Canadians, they were entirely not given their due credit for their aid. In the film Canadian Ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor, is given credit for his bravery and for taking the risk of housing the six hostages, but that is about it. Canadian John Sheardown who actually housed the six and set in motion the gears for their rescue is not even mentioned in the film. One of the actual hostages who were exfiltrated from Sheardown’s home said about the movie, “Argo is terrific entertainment, but it tells only a part of our story, and says nothing at all about many of the real heroes -- most Canadian -- who helped rescue us. Before Argo came along, our rescue was routinely called the "Canadian Caper." It still should be” (Lijek) in an article he wrote for Canadian magazine “McLean’s.” He goes on to detail the events leading to their evacuation stating that “The operation consisted of four distinct phases. Three were almost entirely Canadian, and only one involved significant U.S. assistance” (Lijek). This is unfortunate because it denies true heroes in the operation the recognition they deserve. However, keeping the majority of characters American makes the movie more accessible by making the story easier …show more content…
A majority of the ending of the movie is pure Hollywood drama. This is primarily because the actual exfiltration went swimmingly. Tony Mendez, one of the two CIA operatives who accompanied the six out of Tehran writes that their experience at the airport was “as smooth as silk” the only obstacle being that the “flight was delayed for departure because of mechanical problems” (Mendez). The mission being called off the night before, the lack of tickets at the airport, the realization that they were American, and the ensuing chase were all entirely fabricated. The CIA even released a series of tweets in 2014 distinguishing the “reel vs. real” versions of Argo. These tweets included specifications that Carter approved the operation before Mendez and his partner left to Tehran, there were no issues with the tickets at the counter, and they never had to scout a location at the marketplace (CIA). This dramatization, while copious, only serves to make the movie more exciting and entertaining to watch than it otherwise would have been. It may leave viewers curious about the reality of it, but it is no secret that the escape was dramatized, and a quick Google search will turn up ample results providing this
Taken Hostage by David Farber is book about the Iranian hostage crisis that occurred 1979-1981. Farber looks into the causes of the hostage crisis, both at home and abroad, relations between Iran and the United States, and what attempts were made in order to rescue the hostages. Farber wrote the book in order to give insight into an issue that is considered to be a huge blemish and embarrassment on America’s history. He looked at it from all perspectives and gave an objective overview of the conflict.
The United States poured millions of dollars into Iran’s economy and the Shah’s armed forces, overlooking the rampant corruption in government and well-organized opposition. By early 1979, the Ayatollah had murdered the Shah and taken back power of the government. A group of students who took the American embassy hostage on November 4th, 1979, turned the embassy over to the religious leaders. Carter knew he must take action in order to regain the American embassy and the hostages, but with all of the military cutbacks, the rescue attempt was a complete failure and embarrassment. It took the United States 444 days to rescue the hostages.
The first thing we see is Christian Bale’s almost surreal beer belly, similar to an overdue pregnant stomach. He stands in front of a mirror and adjusting one of the most complex comb overs I have ever seen, which includes artful interweaving of glued hair extensions. Add to this a pair of smoked colored pilot glasses and a sophisticated outfit that screams out our worst nightmares of the late 1970s, and it is dangerously tempting to expect a continuation of a hard groomed freak show, populated by thoroughly ridiculous people who make and says ridiculous things. Especially as the second thing we see is one of Amy Adams countless, magnificently deep necklines. But if that's what we believe will happen, we will become thoroughly
...w the United States’ close ally Shah. Countless modernizers were persecuted, arrested and executed. In November 52 United States diplomats were held hostage by student revolutionaries who’d seized the American embassy in Tehran. America took immediate action and seized all Iranian assets. The United States attempted to negotiate. The negotiation, to the dismay of the American people dragged on for 444 days. There was a large push for President Carter to use military forces as means of negotiations; he however opted for peaceful means, which proved to be unsuccessful. Finally in April 1980 the President sanctioned a rescue mission. The attempt failed due to technical difficulties, eight men died; as a result the nation became extremely unnerved. Carter's dialogue with Iran continued throughout 1980. This was yet another failure on Carter’s part to rectify an issue.
While it is unknown as to what occurred with every hostage during the crisis, one retired diplomat on a special assignment in Tehran, Robert C. Ode, kept a journal detailing his experience: “I strongly protested the violation of my diplomatic immunity, but these protests were ignored…Some students attempted to talk with us, stating how they didn’t hate Americans—only our U.S. government, President Carter, etc.” Ode’s description of his captivity and his captors beliefs led to an insight into the motives of the Iranians. This valuable source allows historians to understand that President Carter and the United States government were responsible for the Iranian hatred. However, Ode’s journal is limited in it’s credibility due to possible alterations of the story in response to fear or pain. In addition to the declared state of hate for the Carter Administration, the government’s poor decisions throughout an attempted rescue attempt of the hostages displayed the weakness of the United States. According to
The movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is based in the 1970s. It depicts the highly male dominated broadcast team and shows the shake up when a woman is hired as a reporter and has aspirations of becoming an anchor the television station. The particular scene shows Ron Burgundy is flustered because Veronica Coringstone is impeding on his masculinity. Burgundy exemplifies hegemonic masculinity by explaining he is a man and a professional, when Coringstone says he his acting like a baby he takes offense and explains he is a man and he his ultimately better than a women because indeed he is a man. Burgundy states, “'I’m a man who discovered the wheel, and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a 1/3 the size of us...It's science (Robertson, McKay, 2004). The clip also depicts Burgundy’s desire for Coringstone to be the typical submissive female he is used to. The articles will identify the gender stereotypes and access if they are true or false based on the research.
Johnson, Brian D. "Ben Affleck Rewrites History ‘Argo’ Shifts the Spotlight from Ken Taylor, Our Man in Tehran, to CIA Spy Tony Mendez." Maclean's. N.p., 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
Watson, Stephanie. "Iranian Hostage Crisis." Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 158-60. U.S. History in Context. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
“There once was a time in this business when I had the eyes of the whole world! But that wasn't good enough for them, oh no! They had to have the ears of the whole world too. So they opened their big mouths and out came talk. Talk! TALK!” (Sunset Boulevard). The film Sunset Boulevard directed by Billy Wilder focuses on a struggling screen writer who is hired to rewrite a silent film star’s script leading to a dysfunctional and fatal relationship. Sunset Boulevard is heavily influenced by the history of cinema starting from the 1930s to 1950 when the film was released.
Ben Affleck, director, does an excellent job with the movie Argo. Being able to find the fear and suspension in every scene is difficult to do, yet Affleck does so seamlessly. Based off a true historical event that happened in 1979, Affleck choses to pick the Iranian Hostage Crisis. He starts out the movie with some background information, so that viewers are able to have some understanding of what has happened and why this is happening. He then merges into a heartbreaking scene, where a mob of Iranians have bombarded their way into the American Embassy. Screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs, the actions happening outside are horrific. Showing the fear in every American’s eyes in the building pulls at every heart
Sex, love, depression, guilt, trust, all are topics presented in this remarkably well written and performed drama. The Flick, a 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning drama by Annie Baker, serves to provide a social commentary which will leave the audience deep in thought well after the curtain closes. Emporia State Universities Production of this masterpiece was a masterpiece in itself, from the stunningly genuine portrayal of the characters of Avery and Rose, to the realism found within the set, every aspect of the production was superb.
The film, Fruitvale Station, is based upon a true story of a young, unarmed African American male, Oscar, who was shot by a Caucasian BART police officer. The film displays the final twenty-fours of Oscar Grant’s lives going through his struggles, triumphs, and eager search to change his life around. There will be an analysis of the sociological aspects displayed throughout the movie that show racism, prejudice, and discrimination.
Gone Girl, a book written by Gillian Flynn, is a compelling mystery and drama focused on the disappearance of a woman named Amy. Two years later this thrilling novel was turned into a nail biting , suspenseful film, directed by David Fincher. Rather you read the book or not, this movie is worth the hype and experience on a Saturday evening. One particular scene, involves Amy (played by Rosamund Pike) changing her identity and going into hiding, at a motel. She develops habits to disguise herself after being plastered on television, billboards, and magazines. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, both acted amazingly, capturing the roller coaster mentality and reality of these two characters. The production of this film was astounding; creating a visual image through the sound track alone.
“The Mission” is based on a true story that occurred around the borderlands of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil in the years 1750’s according to the film and history. The Treaty of Madrid of 1750 with the Spanish and Portuguese caused both havoc and death for the people of the Guarini and the members of the Jesuits. The Jesuits, members of the church, tried to bring Christianity and civilization to the natives while keeping at peace with Spain and Portugal. The Jesuits were the teachers for the natives; Teaching them not only the Christian religion but also civilization. Father Gabriel, a Jesuit, is first introduced in the film when he is showing his respects to a former Jesuit priest killed by the natives. He walks through the South American
Love is a word that’s been both miss-used and over-used all at once. Romantic movies change our definition of and have a big impact on this definition greatly. There have been many movies and novels made over love, but never like this. “The Notebook” is a love story about unconditional love that two people have for each other. This emotionally, heart touching story will have your eyes blood-shot and burning from you not wanting to blink your eyes. This tremendously wonderful love story will have you not wanting to even miss a millisecond of this heart throbbing film. With many plot twists and many scenes that will have you falling off of your seat and you not having any nails by the end of the movie, this is the movie for you. This emotionally rich film is full of action, laughter, and romance, which is the perfect trio combination. This movie shows us how love can bind us together forever. This film went above and