Argo Essay

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The 2012 theatrical released movie Argo, set in 1979, focuses on the Iranian hostage crises, specifically on the military operation preformed by Tony Mendez, Ben Affleck, to rescue six refuges that were able to escape the overrun U.S. Embassy (Argo). The movie begins with a prologue, which provides the background of the reasoning behind the uproar of the Iranian people. The narrative begins with Iranians protesting outside of the walls of the U.S. Embassy; as the lock to the gate is cut and protesters start to rush the building, employees begin to burn the classified documents (Argo). Once the building has been overrun the employs are taken hostage, however, 6 of them manage to escape (Argo). With nowhere to go the six Americans find refuge …show more content…

In lieu of a plausible identity for the six Americans, as well as himself, Mendez decides to fly over and pose as a movie scout, and clam that the other 6 were staff for the movie (Argo). With the movie cover approved and gaining legitimacy in the press, Mendez is sent to Iran (Argo). Once Mendez is Iran he helps the six learn their fake identities (Argo). The night before they are suppose to leave, Mendez is told to abandon the mission, however, he decides to go against orders go through with the plan anyway (Argo). After getting over a mishap with the plan tickets and getting momentarily pulled aside at the airport the group proceeds safely through security (Argo). Once on the runway, police cars chase the plane, however, it’s to late and the Americans are flown to safety …show more content…

The actors represented their characters well and the fact that the actors looked similar to the actual people was a nice touch. In class we glazed over the specifics of this incident: we talked about how this crises put a damper on the Carder administration and how the hostages originally captured in the building were released when Reagan entered the Whitehouse in 1981. Basically, the story is true: six Americans stranded in post-revolutionary Iran were smuggled out of the country on the pretence that they were a Canadian film crew. However, unlike the portrayal in the movie, Canada had a much larger role in the recue; instead of just harboring the Americans, The Canadian ambassador actually contacted Washington to begin the escape plan. Canadians also scouted the airport before the Americans made their flight, bought the airline tickets and coached the six in sounding Canadian. Other inaccuracies are present, such that, the Americans were not pulled aside at the airport and police did not chase the plane. Also in the real events the actual movie was called The Lord of the Light, however, later it was changed to Argo because that was Mendez’s favorite knock knock jokes - “Who’s there?” “Argo.” “Argo who?” “Argo fuck yourself”. Although this gag was placed in the movie it had a different origin than original events. In the movie Ben

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