Previously exiled by the regime, the religious
leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, returned and took on ruling Iran. This revolution descended into chaos
and terror. The overthrown Shah, who was dying of cancer, looked for a way to flee the country
and went to the USA which granted him asylum. 1979. The Iranian people did not take
this well and large protests broke out in front of the U.S. Embassy in Iran with
only one demand - the death of the Shah. Meanwhile, the situation at the embassy
remains calm and diplomats joke about the carnival outside and bulletproof
windows. Civilians are waiting in line to apply for visas. Helicopters patrol the area.
At the same time, some protesters have managed to climb over the fence and enter the territory,
internal mobilization begins. Shortly thereafter, a remaining crowd of angry and incensed
demonstrators breaks through the lock and enter the premise, causing the diplomats to panic.
As the breach of security becomes more serious, measures are taken to destroy all documentation.
The windows are not bulletproof. The security team dons its gear and prepares a plan, while
diplomats are still hesitant about whether Iranian police and government help will ever arrive.
The security chief thinks he is a superman. He takes a leap of faith and goes outside
to confront the people and is immediately struck down. Realizing he is their chance to
get inside, they blindfold him and threaten his life by holding a gun to his head,
successfully using their free pass inside. Meanwhile, every bit of information is destroyed
by any means available. The protesters make contact with some of the diplomats and
take them hostage. At the same time, six of them take advantage of the building's
direct access to the street and escape. The U.S. government discusses the situation
and says that the Soviets would have already invaded Iran. They have information that
six diplomats have managed to escape from the embassy and made their way to the
Canadian ambassador's, Ken Taylor’s house. The Secretary of State criticizes the work
of CIA's agents in Iran regarding threats of revolution and states that extraditing the Shah
to the Iranians is not an option, as he is already half-dead in chemotherapy. It is decided to
focus on those who managed to escape, dismissing the diplomats held hostage at the embassy.
10 weeks later, news of the atrocities in Iran has spread around the world, and Americans
are expressing their support and praying for the victims. Tony receives a phone call, whereupon he
immediately leaves his house and rushes to the CIA office. The atmosphere is tense and he is briefed
by his boss Jack about the situation in Iran, focusing on the escapers. While the U.S.
government is too scared to take any action, the Canadian Foreign Secretary wants Taylor to leave
the country because his own safety is threatened. Jack is concerned that one of the little geniuses
at the embassy has kept the mug book of everyone who has worked there. The Iranians are trying
to restore shredded documents, which poses a big risk that they will find out there are
escapees. The State wants the CIA as consultants for the rescue mission, which confuses Tony.
The meeting is held by the state members. The 6 embassy diplomats who escaped are introduced to
those present. The States member introduces their plan which is to give them bicycles since cars are
not an option due to the roadblocks. Hearing that, Tony is amused and suggests sending them
training wheels as well. He criticizes this idea, saying that the distance to cover is 300 miles and
they would need a support team with a tire pump. Attendants question his competence, but Jack
introduces him as an expert in exfil missions. Tony explains that they do not have time because
the revolutionaries will soon find out about the missing diplomats. Afterwards, other options are
discussed, but none of them make sense to Tony, so he objects, comparing exfils to
abortians and explaining that missions like these require direct intervention.
Both America and Iran make their demands, expressing their opinion on the matter, and
protest, while the Iranians succeed in their attempts to recover the shredded documents.
Tony is having a phone conversation with his son when an idea pops into his head to
hastily pitch at a meeting with state members. At the meeting, Tony offers to set up a fake
Canadian movie production team looking for an exotic location in the Middle East - Iran.
The members are hesitant and doubt that it is possible to fake a movie production. They already
have credentials for the teachers, but Tony has a contact who could help him. The meeting ends
with Tony convincing the members of his plan. Unfortunately, at the same time, the
Iranians have confirmed that some diplomats are missing and are working to
find out their identities and whereabouts. Tony arranges a meeting with Mr. Chambers,
a famous donut loving movie producer and flies to LA with the blessing of the CIA,
to see if his idea could become a reality. At LA, Tony informs him of the situation and
asks for his help in setting up a production company and establishing coverage for the
movie itself. “You want to come to Hollywood, acting like a big shot without doing
anything? You will fit right in.” They discuss the roles of the diplomats and Mr.
Chamber suggests that Tony needs a script and a producer to make the cover story believable.
Mr. Chamber takes Tony to a meeting with a man named Lester, a well-known movie producer. Their
plan amuses him. Lester says odds of pulling this through are close to 0, yet agrees to go along
and they start developing ideas for a script. At this time, the housekeeper confronts Taylor’s
wife about why her friends from Canada never leave the house, suspecting they are Americans.
While Tony is working on possible scripts, he receives a call from Jack, who informs him
that he only has 72 hours left, otherwise the government will choose another option. After
hanging up, Tony is going through the scripts when he notices ''Argo'' an adventurous science fiction
movie, and shows it to Mr. Chamber and Lester. Lester brings Tony to a meeting with a
scriptwriter, to whom they make an offer that he declines because others are offering
four times as much, but after a few spot-on words from Lester, he accepts the deal for
even less money. Lester is a master talker. The next day, Tony is on the phone with Jack,
who informs him that Iranian airport security is getting stronger and a thorough background
check is inevitable. Tony asks for extra time to work on the production, but Jack is not
optimistic and tells Tony that there is no time. Afterwards, Tony, Lester and Mr. Chambers
organizes a huge Hollywood press event, where they draw more attention to the movie.
At the same time, Iran issues a statement that there is no evidence that people who worked in
the US embassy are diplomats and calls them spies. They also call the U.S. and CIA terrorists and
keep demanding return of the Shah. The statement ends with threats of beginning trials on hostages.
The press event was a success. Eyes are on their movie, ''Argo'' is in the magazines, and
posters are on the streets. Word has spread, giving them another level of credibility,
hopefully enough to convince the Iranians. Tony returns from his trip to LA ready
to present progress to the State. The meeting immediately goes south. State finds
the idea ridiculous. Tony and Jack don't step back and explain that there are only bad ideas and
they have already chosen the best bad idea. Seeing how honest and desperate Tony and Jack are, State
finally grants it's approval and sanctions Argo. Jack takes Tony to the airport and reminds him
that the CIA will not claim him if he is arrested. Before taking the flight, Tony writes his
son a letter apologizing for missing his birthday and telling him how much he loves him.
Meanwhile, 6 escapees fear for their lives, still hoping for a miracle, while the situation
becomes more and more tense as Iranian soldiers patrol the streets looking for them.
The first stop of Tony's journey is Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, where he meets a
British agent who is familiar with the situation in Iran and informs Tony about
it. He gives him valuable insight into how the Iranian border security system works
and what he should do when he is there. Tony applies for his visa at the
Iranian consulate. He behaves icily and gets his visa without any problems. Tony eventually makes his way to Iran and
gets through border control with ease. His first stop is the Ministry of
Culture and Guidance. On the way there, he witnesses the cruel reality that has
gripped Iran - large protests, chaos, fear, public hangings, and terror all over the streets.
At the ministry, Tony is asked if the movie crew consists only of himself. Tony says that
there will be 6 others from Canada as well. Locations for possible filming are discussed, and
he submits film production documents for review. Later Tony meets with Taylor, who has prepared
the Canadian passports for all 6 escapees. The passports still need to be stamped and the
identities of the escapees need to be learnt, which will take a day or two. Taylor
encourages Tony to finish as soon as possible. Finally, Tony meets with the
escapees at the Taylor's house. At the dinner table, he presents the plan
and hands out their screenplays. Fear runs deep among the 6 of them and they do not have much
confidence in Tony's plan. They begin to question him and the chances of success. Tony handles the
distrust well, staying calm, informing them of the risks and emphasizing that it's time to go.
Afterwards, in a private conversation, the ambassador tells Tony that the Canadian government
has given the order to close the embassy and leave Iran, leaving the escapees without shelter.
Despite all their doubts and fears, the escapees realize they have no other options and agree to
take the risk and trust Tony with their lives. After they feel that he is trusted, Tony
introduces them to their new identities and stresses the importance of knowing every
aspect of them. He will be back tomorrow. Tony is working on passports at the hotel when
a letter is slipped under his door. The Minister of Culture and Guidance has approved the location
for his movie and invites him and his crew to meet at the Grand Bazaar tomorrow. Tony calls Jack
to tell him the news. Jack thinks it's a trap, but Tony makes him understand that this
is their only chance to get out of Iran. Refusing would only lead to death.
The next day, Tony pays a visit to the companions and tells them about the meeting
in the Grand Bazaar. The news causes hesitation, fear, and even more distrust of Tony among
the group, but they realize that there are no other options stronger than this.
Once there, they meet the ministry's representative and take a look
around the place under his guidance. While the group wanders around, they are
secretly photographed by Iranian intelligence. The group takes photos of the bazaar, which
angers one of the storekeepers, who demands that they hand over the photos they took.
The conflict with the storekeeper gets more and more attention and the
situation quickly comes to a head. Reza suggests they end the tour, which they do.
At the same time, a car with Iranian soldiers stops in front of the Taylor's house,
where they meet the housekeeper. Iranian soldiers question her about how
long the Taylor's guests have been here. She does not rat them out and calmly answers
that they have only been here for 2 days. After a stressful trip to the bazaar, the
group returns to the ambassador's house. He asks Tony if they will be ready to
leave tomorrow, to which Tony agrees. After everyone calms down, Tony briefs the
group again and prepares them. They discuss what questions they might be asked at border control
and refresh their knowledge of their identities. At the White House, the Chief of Staff is confused
that they approved of this whole movie plan. Tony gets a call from Jack, who informs him
that the government is planning a military rescue of the hostages and are aborting the
“Argo” plan. The government officials have changed their minds. Tony is shocked
because he is only one step away from getting the diplomats out of Iran, but Jack
is helpless and demands Tony to follow orders. After the conversation, Tony sits alone and is
frustrated with the government's decision to stop him when one of the group members comes in
and says they are ready for another interrogation of Tony. He pretends nothing happened and
tells her they are ready and to loosen up. The group's mood is lifted, they are ready
for the most important day of their lives. Tony is looking at them from the side when the
ambassador shows up and tells him that he has received orders to burn the fake passports. He
suggests Tony leave the group without them knowing anything about it. Tony is speechless,
he takes a bottle of scotch and leaves. Arriving at the hotel, Tony looks desperate,
he sits down on a bed and stares into the wall, he understands that at this point the only
thing that awaits the diplomats is death. The next morning, Mr. Chamber and Lester
receive orders to pack their things and leave the movie production office. Meanwhile,
the escapees prepare for their final move, unaware that their faith has changed.
At the hotel, Tony is determined to go through with the mission anyway, he just can't
abandon 6 people on a whim. He calls Jack and tells him that he is going to finish his job
despite all the orders from above and hangs up. Jack rushes to his colleague and tells him that
7 tickets from Tehran need to be reinstated, but he is turned away because there is
no authorization from above for that. Tony arrives at the ambassador's
house and picks up the group of 6. Meanwhile, Jack is furious. He rushes to his
boss, yanks him out of the ongoing meeting, and tells him that he must do everything
he can to get government approval. At this point, Tony and his group
are on their way to the airport, and Taylor and his wife are also leaving.
Things come to a head while Jack is running around the CIA office doing everything
he can to solve the ticket problem. Tony gives his brave group the final
briefing, emotions are running high and everyone is dead serious, they can not crack
under the pressure or they will be executed. When the group finally arrives at
the airport, they begin registration. The airport employee tells him that there are
no reservations under his name, Tony kindly asks her to check again, keeping his composure.
In the meantime, Jack finally gets the green light from the White House to proceed with the mission
and confirms the tickets as soon as possible. Luckily for the group, the employee finds
their reservations during the second check. Meanwhile, Iranian forces have restored
one of the shredded photos of the Escapers. At the airport, the group is subjected to
a border check. They have succeeded in the first step which includes checking disembarkation
cards. Tony knew that they would face problems at the next checkpoint because of the exit papers
they never had. Eventually, the border control finds out about the missing papers and starts to
investigate, while at the same time the Iranian forces compare the portrait they put together with
the pictures of the group they took at the bazaar. They identify one of the fugitives.
The interrogation begins as the border control cannot find any proof of their entry
into the country. They present the letter from the Minister of Culture and luckily for them,
it is enough to convince the border control. They proceed to the last checkpoint.
Their passports are checked and they are denied boarding. They are sent to a
separate room for further interrogation. The group is questioned in the local
language. Diplomat, who speaks Iranian, begins to explain to the soldier that they are a
film crew of the movie "Argo" and shows him the script and drawings of the movie. He has done
his homework and knows the script perfectly. Tony is amazed at how good he is. He tells the
story so passionately that they get lost in it and it is impossible not to believe him. Once he
is done, the soldier tells the group that they will be allowed to leave, once it's verified
that the movie is real. Tony hands them the business card of the LA office, not knowing that
Mr. Chambers and Lester are no longer there. The final boarding is announced. The soldier
decides to call the office of LA. Mr. Chambers barely manages to pick up the phone and plays
his part - location scouting in Iran is verified. Meanwhile, Iranian forces find out that
the Canadian film crew are actually U.S. Embassy diplomats storm the Taylor's
house looking for the group. At the airport, the group is allowed to
depart and head straight to the gate. They are the last ones and barely made in time.
The Iranians find no one at the ambassador's house, so they call the airport and tell them
that the Americans may be boarding the plane. Fortunately for everyone on the
plane, the Iranians are unable to track them and they successfully take off.
After the announcement that they have left Iranian airspace, the diplomats are tearing up in
joy, hugging each other, and enjoying the moment of their escape. Tony just sits there with tears
in his eyes, barely smiling, but you can tell by the look on his face that he is relieved.
The CIA office confirms that they made it and Jack also shares this moment of joy.
After a moment of relief, the CIA decided not to be in the spotlight and give all the flowers to
the Canadians. Canada is to thank for saving these 6 brave Americans who kept their cool all along
and waited patiently for help on the right day. The Iranian government made threats against
Canada, but that was just background noise at the time, the heroic act was in the spotlight.
After successfully turning what was once the best bad option into one of the most historic missions
CIA has ever pulled through, Tony was awarded an Intelligence Star, the highest award of merit in
the Clandestine services of the United States. The Iran hostage crisis ended in 1981 when all
hostages, who had spent a total of 444 days in captivity, were finally released.
The End.
