Our rating
Ben Affleck’s Golden Globe-winning film Argo focuses on the true story of how the CIA created a fake movie to rescue American diplomats after the US Embassy was overrun during the Iranian Revolution. But that is where the historical accuracy ends.
The film includes fictionalisations of many key aspects of the story, such as the key involvement of the Canadian Government and Ambassador Ken Taylor. The truth is that it was the Canadian Government and Ken Taylor who orchestrated the majority of the secretive operation, giving the American diplomats a place to hide and call home during the Iranian Revolution, as well as buying their tickets, whereas the CIA provided the tickets and the cover story.
The film shifts this as we focus on Tony Mendez, the CIA agent, setting up the fake production and showing more involvement, such as the scene in the Tehran bazaar where they are scouting locations. This scene never happened, as the American diplomats rarely left the residence. This skewing of the truth is the case because in 2016, it was revealed that the CIA’s public relations arm was involved in the production.
Historically, another key scene that was also fictionalised and exaggerated was the airport chase scene. In Argo, we see them being chased down by the Revolutionary Guards, problems with the tickets and departure documents, and finally the guards shooting at the tyres. In reality, the diplomats got there early and boarded the flight at 5:30 am and got through with much less hassle.
However, despite these inaccuracies, the film is an action-packed cinematic masterpiece. The film is shot and scripted amazingly, with a star-studded cast that makes every scene permeate with tension and explode with vibrancy. Ben Affleck showcases the subtlety and seriousness of trying to save innocent lives.
This film is the perfect watch for any occasion.
