Ben Affleck’s 2012 film Argo was based on a real CIA mission to rescue six US diplomats from Tehran during the Iran hostage crisis, but some events were changed for the sake of narrative and drama. In a series of tweets, the CIA offers its own account of what’s fact and what’s movie fiction.
In a series of tweets, the CIA compares the real mission with the “reel” Argo:
We love #Argo, @TheAcademy award winning film by @BenAffleck. Today we tell you what’s "reel" vs. "real". pic.twitter.com/QgFC014kUe
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: All involved in the operation were innovative, brave, & creative. Thank you @BenAffleck for making a film that reflects this.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: When the US Embassy is overtaken the 6 US diplomats go right to the Canadian ambassador's residence to live for the 3 months.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: 5 of them went to many different places until they ended up at the homes of the Canadian Ambassador & the Dep. Chief of Mission.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: 1 American slept on the floor of the Swedish embassy before making his way to the Canadian Ambassador’s home after 2 weeks.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: Only one CIA officer goes to Tehran to help exfiltrate the six American diplomats. pic.twitter.com/iFEcrBzlyb
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: Two CIA officers with notable forgery and exfiltration skills used their talents & knowledge to get the six out of Iran safely.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The CIA officer and the six diplomats go into town to scout locations. pic.twitter.com/2gx2sHjPBO
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: They never went to the marketplace to scout a location. The six hid in the Canadian’s homes for 79 days. pic.twitter.com/szTgt9stvb
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The mission is called off the night before they are scheduled to depart. pic.twitter.com/j4h0at57Sq
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: Carter gave approval prior to the CIA team flying to Tehran, Iran. The details were approved by policymakers in Ottawa and DC.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: The night before the exfiltration the team received final approval; last line in that approval: "See you later, exfiltrator."
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: Airline tickets are not waiting at the counter and have to be rechecked before the tickets are authorized and confirmed.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: The Canadians had already purchased the tickets for the Americans. There were no issues at the counter nor the checkpoints.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The Americans are detained at the airport by security guards & a call is made back to “Studio Six” to verify their identity.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: It didn’t happen. An early flight was picked so airline officials would be sleepy & Revolutionary Guards would still be in bed.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: Shredded documents are pieced together to reveal the face of one of the Americans & the plane is chased down the runway.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: Skilled carpet weavers did reconstruct shredded documents, but they didn’t reveal one of the Americans at the last moment.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: There was an hour long mechanical delay, other than that the escape could not have gone better. #nochase pic.twitter.com/a0TnVeBgBt
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Reel #Argo: The plane clears Iranian air space and the Americans cheer and celebrate.
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #Argo: That happened; there was even a round of celebratory Bloody Marys. #ThankYouCanada
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #ARGO: For the full firsthand account read: http://t.co/7mkia9HU1Z pic.twitter.com/0JOYK4NalK
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
Real #ARGO: An exciting movie that it kept us on the edge of our seats. Letting @BenAffleck film here? Best bad idea we've had. #ThanksBen!
— CIA (@CIA) November 7, 2014
[via /Film]
