Argo 2017 -
Comprehensive Guide to Argo (2017)
Introduction
Argo is a 2012 American thriller film directed by Ben Affleck, but since you specified 2017, I assume you are referring to the 2017 re-release or re-mastered version of the film. The movie is based on the true story of the CIA rescue of six American diplomats from Tehran during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. In this guide, we will explore the film's plot, cast, production, reception, and cultural impact.
Plot Summary
The film takes place in 1979, during the Iranian Revolution. A group of American diplomats, led by Ambassador John Sheardown (Victor Garber), escape the turmoil and take refuge at the Canadian ambassador's residence. However, as the Iranian students storm the compound, the diplomats realize they are not safe.
The CIA, led by Tony Stafford (Dean Norde), comes up with a plan to rescue the diplomats by posing as a film crew scouting for locations for a science fiction movie called "Argo." CIA operative Ben Affleck (who plays a fictionalized version of himself) leads the mission, assembling a team of experts, including a makeup artist, a set designer, and a security expert.
As the team embarks on the daring rescue mission, they encounter numerous challenges, including navigating through Tehran's streets, evading Iranian authorities, and convincing the diplomats to trust them.
Cast
- Ben Affleck as CIA operative Ben (fictionalized version)
- Bryan Cranston as Jack Carter, CIA exfiltration expert
- John Goodman as K.C. Ambrose, Hollywood make-up artist
- Alan Arkin as Lester A. Dodes, security expert
- Victor Garber as Ambassador John Sheardown
- Mark Strong as Hosen Mousavi, Iranian student
Production
- Director: Ben Affleck
- Screenplay: Ben Affleck, Eric Warren Singer, and Alex Bulkley
- Producers: Ben Affleck, George Rylance, and David Dinerstein
- Cinematography: Robert Elswit
- Editing: William G. Golden and Kathryn Himoff
Reception
- Critical Response: Argo received widespread critical acclaim, with an approval rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the film's tense and thrilling storyline, as well as its well-crafted characters.
- Box Office: The film was a commercial success, grossing over $232 million worldwide.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Awards (2013): Won - Best Picture, Best Film Editing
- Golden Globe Awards (2013): Won - Best Motion Picture - Drama
Cultural Impact
- Impact on Iran-US Relations: The film highlights the complexities of the Iran hostage crisis and its impact on US foreign policy. The successful rescue mission marked a turning point in the relations between the two countries.
- Popular Culture: Argo has been referenced and parodied in various forms of media, including TV shows, movies, and memes.
Trivia and Fun Facts
- The film's script was inspired by a 1997 article in The Washington Post about the CIA's rescue mission.
- The film's score was composed by David Buckley and Alex Heffes.
Conclusion
Argo (2017) is a thrilling and thought-provoking film that explores the intricate world of espionage and international diplomacy. With its talented cast, gripping plot, and well-crafted production, Argo is a must-watch for fans of the thriller genre. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the film, covering its plot, cast, production, reception, and cultural impact.
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2. The Premise (The Logline)
Based on real events, the film chronicles a life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Unable to extract the diplomats through conventional means, the CIA creates a fake Hollywood film production, planning to "cast" the refugees as crew members to smuggle them out of the country.
Development and Production
- Origins: CIA operative Tony Mendez's 1997 memoir "The Master of Disguise" inspired the screenplay adaptation co-written by Mendez, Matt Baglio, and Joshuah Bearman, whose 2007 Wired article "The Great Escape" publicized the story.
- Director/Writer: Ben Affleck directed and starred as Tony Mendez; Chris Terrio wrote the screenplay based on Bearman's article and Mendez's memoir.
- Casting: Ben Affleck (Tony Mendez), Bryan Cranston (Jack O'Donnell), John Goodman (John Chambers), Alan Arkin (Hollywood producer Lester Siegel).
- Filming: Principal photography occurred in and around Los Angeles, with additional location shooting in Washington, D.C., and Turkey (standing in for Tehran).
- Studio/Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures distributed; produced by Smokehouse Pictures, GK Films, and others.
- Budget & Box Office: Budget roughly $44.5 million; worldwide gross ≈ $232 million.
4. Key Characters & Cast
- Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck): The calm, professional CIA exfiltration specialist who devises the plan. He is driven by a desire to be a better father and redeem himself professionally.
- John Chambers (John Goodman): A real-life Hollywood makeup artist (famous for Planet of the Apes) who acts as the bridge between the CIA and Tinseltown.
- Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin): A fictional composite character representing a seasoned, cynical Hollywood producer. His comedic lines provide necessary levity to the tension. Nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
- Jack O'Donnell (Bryan Cranston): Tony’s supervisor at the CIA, managing the political pressures from Washington.
The "2017" Confusion: Why the Year Still Matters
To understand the Argo 2017 phenomenon, we must first look at the release timeline. Argo premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2012. It had a wide US release on October 12, 2012. However, Hollywood operates in waves.
For audiences in secondary markets—Eastern Europe, parts of Southeast Asia, and Latin America—Argo did not receive a wide theatrical rollout until early 2013. But the digital afterlife is where 2017 becomes the anchor. In February 2017, Warner Bros. released a special "5th Anniversary Edition" of Argo on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. This marked the first time the film was available in high-dynamic-range video and Dolby Atmos sound.
For tech reviewers and home theater enthusiasts, Argo 2017 was the definitive version of the film. The new transfer highlighted the gritty, grain-heavy aesthetic of director of photography Rodrigo Prieto, making the 1979 Tehran hostage crisis feel claustrophobically immediate. So, if you see a forum post from 2017 discussing "the best looking disc of the year," they aren't talking about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2—they are talking about Argo.
The "Argo 2017" Home Media Experience
For collectors, the Argo 2017 4K release was an event. Here is what the 2017 edition contained that the original 2012 release did not:
- Feature-Length Commentary with Ben Affleck: Recorded specifically for the 2017 release, where Affleck reflects on the film's performance five years later and the political shift in US-Iran relations.
- "Rescued from Tehran: 2017 Update": A mini-documentary contextualizing the film’s story within the 2016-2017 political climate.
- Visual Commentary: A picture-in-picture track comparing storyboards to the final film.
If you search eBay or Blu-ray forums for Argo 2017, you will see that this specific pressing has become a collector’s item, primarily because it was the last time Warner Bros. included a slipcover and digital copy that worked with the now-defunct Ultraviolet service.
1. Quick Facts at a Glance
- Title: Argo
- Release Year: 2012
- Director: Ben Affleck
- Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman.
- Genre: Historical Drama / Thriller
- Based On: "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired article "The Great Escape" by Joshuah Bearman.
- Awards: Winner of 3 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Why 2017 Was a Critical Re-Evaluation Year
When Argo won Best Picture at the 85th Academy Awards (held in February 2013), it was considered a win for "middle-brow" adult thrillers. But by 2017, the critical conversation had shifted. Film podcasting, which exploded between 2014 and 2017, began re-litigating the film’s historical accuracy.
In 2017, several high-profile articles emerged questioning the film's erasure of Canada's role. The real Tony Mendez admitted that the operation was a joint effort, but Affleck’s narrative condensed the tension for dramatic effect. However, the Argo 2017 discussion was not hostile; it was nuanced. Critics began arguing that the film’s historical liberties were actually its strength—a movie about creating a fake movie that also creates a fake history. The 2017 re-evaluation cemented Argo not as a documentary, but as a masterwork of dramatic structure.
Furthermore, in 2017, the film became a staple in "Film Editing" classes. William Goldenberg’s Oscar-winning editing—specifically the cross-cut sequence where the phone rings in Washington while the plane taxis in Tehran—became the gold standard for suspense. Film students in 2017 were assigned to analyze that sequence frame by frame.