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Argo

  • 2012
  • R
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
654K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
880
128
Argo (2012)
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
Play trailer2:33
25 Videos
99+ Photos
DocudramaPeriod DramaPolitical DramaPolitical ThrillerBiographyDramaHistoryThriller

Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. ho... Read allActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.

  • Director
    • Ben Affleck
  • Writers
    • Chris Terrio
    • Tony Mendez
    • Joshuah Bearman
  • Stars
    • Ben Affleck
    • Bryan Cranston
    • John Goodman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    654K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    880
    128
    • Director
      • Ben Affleck
    • Writers
      • Chris Terrio
      • Tony Mendez
      • Joshuah Bearman
    • Stars
      • Ben Affleck
      • Bryan Cranston
      • John Goodman
    • 989User reviews
    • 661Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 96 wins & 156 nominations total

    Videos25

    Winner: Best Picture
    Trailer 2:33
    Winner: Best Picture
    No. 1
    Trailer 2:31
    No. 1
    No. 1
    Trailer 2:31
    No. 1
    Argo: Nobody Makes Westerns Any More
    Clip 0:48
    Argo: Nobody Makes Westerns Any More
    Argo: We Did Suicide Missions With Better Odds
    Clip 0:39
    Argo: We Did Suicide Missions With Better Odds
    Argo: What We Like For This Are Bicycles
    Clip 1:08
    Argo: What We Like For This Are Bicycles
    Argo: They Are Going To Try And Break You
    Clip 0:58
    Argo: They Are Going To Try And Break You

    Photos376

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    + 372
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Ben Affleck
    Ben Affleck
    • Tony Mendez
    Bryan Cranston
    Bryan Cranston
    • Jack O'Donnell
    John Goodman
    John Goodman
    • John Chambers
    Alan Arkin
    Alan Arkin
    • Lester Siegel
    Victor Garber
    Victor Garber
    • Ken Taylor
    Tate Donovan
    Tate Donovan
    • Bob Anders
    Clea DuVall
    Clea DuVall
    • Cora Lijek
    Scoot McNairy
    Scoot McNairy
    • Joe Stafford
    Rory Cochrane
    Rory Cochrane
    • Lee Schatz
    Christopher Denham
    Christopher Denham
    • Mark Lijek
    Kerry Bishé
    Kerry Bishé
    • Kathy Stafford
    Kyle Chandler
    Kyle Chandler
    • Hamilton Jordan
    Chris Messina
    Chris Messina
    • Malinov
    Zeljko Ivanek
    Zeljko Ivanek
    • Robert Pender
    Titus Welliver
    Titus Welliver
    • Bates
    Keith Szarabajka
    Keith Szarabajka
    • Adam Engell
    Bob Gunton
    Bob Gunton
    • Cyrus Vance
    Richard Kind
    Richard Kind
    • Max Klein
    • Director
      • Ben Affleck
    • Writers
      • Chris Terrio
      • Tony Mendez
      • Joshuah Bearman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews989

    7.7653.8K
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    Featured reviews

    cheche1

    Good movie but took a lot of liberties

    This is a great movie. The story, acting, pacing, editing, etc. was just fantastic. Affleck's directing was solid, and the suspense will keep you entertained right through to the last seconds. I loved it.

    It did have one irritating thing, though, kind of a big one. It pointed most of the accolades to Affleck's character and the CIA. This really was not true. It was Ken Taylor and the Canadians who really pulled 'the Canadian Caper' off so successfully.

    "When Taylor heard a few years ago that Mendez had sold movie rights to his book (which, to be fair, is much more generous than the movie about Canada's role), "I said, 'Well, that's going to be interesting.'...."The movie's fun, it's thrilling, it's pertinent, it's timely," he said. "But look, Canada was not merely standing around watching events take place. The CIA was a junior partner."

    "The old postscript sent the message that, for political reasons, Canada took the credit. A sarcastic kicker noted that Taylor received 112 citations. The clear implication was that he did not deserve them."(Sept/Oct., 2012, thestar.com)".

    So the USA does another revision on history here. I believe 'Argo' goes this far. Yes, it's based on a true story - the movie does it's best to allude that it sticks to technical accuracy. And it really does, in some ways. Historical pictures of flag burners, rioters, gate climbers, etc.. up against Argo film stills run by during the credits make it seem that the facts were adhered to down to the tiniest detail. In reality, it wasn't Tony Mendez or the CIA who were responsible for the success of this operation; actually they were barely there.

    Since the movie premiered, Ben Affleck has added emphasis on the movie postscripts since then that gives kudos to the Canadians' role. This was after Ken Taylor politely complained, as a Canadian would tactfully do. But Affleck did this only after pressure from Taylor himself.

    I can understand the need to spice up events to make them as exciting and entertaining as possible, don't get me wrong. But this film needs to let the audience know that more explicitly than it does, even after the changed postscripts.

    Still, a really entertaining and riveting film, very well done, and easily worth seeing. As a matter of fact, don't miss it.
    9Michael_Elliott

    One of the Smartest Thrillers in Years

    Argo (2012)

    **** (out of 4)

    Excellent thriller based around the secret CIA mission to try and rescue six Americans hiding out in Iran shortly after the hostage crisis broke out. CIA agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) decides to hatch a plot to make a fake movie and get the six out. It's only early November as I write this but I'm going to make a bold prediction that ARGO hears its name called out quite a few times come Oscar night. Director Affleck has once again created an incredibly well-made, incredibly tense and downright entertaining thriller that works on all levels and really comes across as something special. We've seen hostage movies before and we've seen political movies before but there's never been anything quite like ARGO. Thank God it's based on a true story or else who would believe this story? The secret mission of the CIA is just so incredible that it has to be true and using the Hollywood backdrop just makes for some pretty fun scenes and especially when you know a couple of the names like Oscar-winner John Chambers. The actual look of the film is quite striking as you certainly feel as if you're in the middle of the 1979-80 time period. Affleck has a great eye for the style of the picture and the cross between the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and some of 8 and 16mm footage. The performances are also another major plus with Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Bryan Cranston all doing terrific work. Each and every actor no matter how small or major their part really comes across terrific and this helps brings so much credit to the story. I'm certainly not going to ruin the final thirty-minutes but they'll have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. After GONE BABY GONE and THE TOWN, Affleck had certainly put his name on the map for young directors and now ARGO just takes that to a new level. This here is certainly one of the best movies of the year and one of the smartest and most intelligent thrillers in a very long time.
    7drakula2005

    Over-hyped

    This review may be coming a little bit late, considering i saw the movie back in November, but i wanted to check one or two things before i write it.I wanted to see whether or not the movie will receive any Academy awards buzz from the the Golden Globes and the various Guild awards.I wanted to wait, because i could not believe the hype surrounding it.I saw it, and i was not that impressed at all.So after some amount of time has passed and the seven Academy nominations have been announced, i thought it was time for a second viewing, in order to try and change my mind about the movie, but-no.

    First of all, i enjoyed Gone Baby Gone and The Town of Affleck's repertoire much more than i did with Argo.I would even recommend Zero Dark Thirty (Bigelow's recent take on historical events, that are important to American society)ahead of Argo.That being said, Affleck's based-on-true-story-sci-fi-flick has it's strenghts.

    The fact that the movie is solid enough and that a thorough enough background-check on the events depicted in it, are made, admittedly do the movie some justice.It's well and accurately written, but a nomination is as far as it can stretch itself.Never mind the fact that Affleck is still weaker in front of the camera, than he is behind it, this is clearly visible.One might even wonder how he has that experience as an actor and as a director and be so far ahead with the material when at the helm of a movie.

    So, the era is accurately depicted, even the jokes, sets, clothing, music-all fits the bill, although Led Zeppelin's When the Levee Breaks is probably 10-12 years earlier, thus not from this period.But i'm willing to close my eyes on this one, considering the love i have towards Plant&co.On that subject, Aerosmith and Dream On were more accurately chosen, although only for the trailer.

    The technical part of the movie was almost excellent, i mean there isn't any breakout aspect to put in the running for some awards (although some people obviously think there is), all in all everything was good enough.Maybe only William Goldenberg can get a nod over the others, but he'll have stiff competition from his other movie, Zero Dark Thirty and himself.As this is pretty evident by now, he has two nominations in one category for two different movies.So, it will be pretty interesting to see which movie do the critics hold in higher regard-this category will tell.For me, that should be "Zero".

    So, technically good, historically accurate, even a little tense, so what's the matter, you might ask.Very simple.Contrary to popular belief, that has been planted in most people's minds, there actually was no acting in this movie.Not a single part was properly played by nobody, including you, Mr. Arkin.I can't understand where did this nomination come from, but in my eyes it is totally undeserved.Arkin and Goodman were of course fine, fun to watch, but the parts they played, others have played so long ago and to a better extend.When we start off with Sunset Blvd. and stop at present-day Hank Moody, there are people much more prepared to the challenges of playing a movie guy.Arkin was fine, but for 10 minutes of screen time you just can't receive that kind of reception and you just can't make this big of an impact.It is not normal.Not that they are, those awards and guild-members.

    So, if i have to sum it up in a nutshell-the screenplay was good enough, the directing was decent as well, the acting was stiff at best (i'm looking at you, Ben), the era was pretty impressively(although inaccurately story-wise) depicted (still looking at you, Ben), the technical part was top-notch (William Goldberg), but all in all this does not make up for the "masterpiece" many of you claimed it to be.

    If i had to recommend it, i would, simply because of it's must-see- based-on-true-story(although if we have to go there, discussing how accurate it really is, we'd be in for a long night) factor.But, as i said earlier, i'm not that impressed and there is nothing all that much to be impressed with.And Best Picture?No way!!

    My rate: 6.5/10
    8auuwws

    Argo

    An excellent movie, although I did not know the events of the storming of the American embassy in Iran, but the story of the film was very interesting and the level of representation in the film was excellent, the film made me on the edge of the chair of suspense I highly recommend watching it
    CalRhys

    Intense Film Packed With Emotion

    Argo is the political thriller based on the 1979 Iranian hostage situation in which 6 Americans were left to fend for themselves in the centre of Tehran. CIA Operative Tony Mendez (played by Ben Affleck) is sent into Iran to evacuate the Americans out safely under the cover of being a film production crew working on a picture called 'Argo'.

    The film is absolutely amazing and definitely one of the best films I've seen in a long time, throughout 2012 and 2013 so far we have been treated with some great films such as Skyfall, Django Unchained, Life of Pi, Les Miserables, Zero Dark Thirty and more, but in my own personal opinion Argo takes the bait as the best of them all. Proof is present as it won 3 BAFTA's for best picture, best director and best editing, also nominated for a further 8 Oscars in 85th Academy Awards.

    The film is packed with a sense of threat, peril and intensity all portrayed exceptionally well through the ensemble cast including Ben Affleck (The Town), John Goodman (Big Lebowski), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Alan Arkin (Edward Scissorhands) and Victor Garber (Titanic). The ending is by far the most intense ending I have seen in a long time, visually presented in such an astounding way.

    Director Ben Affleck started out his auteur career after his directional debut Gone Baby Gone became critically acclaimed, three years later The Town came out with an Oscar nomination. Now 2 years on we have Argo, Affleck's best film by far.

    Oscars Best Picture Winners, Ranked

    Oscars Best Picture Winners, Ranked

    See the complete list of Oscars Best Picture winners, ranked by IMDb ratings.
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview with Piers Morgan, former President Jimmy Carter said that he believes the film was a "great drama", and it deserved to win an Oscar for best film. However, Carter noted that although "ninety percent of the contributions to the ideas, and the consummation of the plan was Canadian", the film "gives almost full credit to the American C.I.A. With that exception, the movie's very good," Carter said, but "the main hero, in my opinion, was Ken Taylor, who was the Canadian ambassador, who orchestrated the entire process."
    • Goofs
      It is stated that the British and New Zealand embassies refused to help staff from the American embassy. This was not true. Both the British and the New Zealand embassies sheltered the Americans, then helped to pass them on to the Canadians. Britain's Arthur Wyatt was later awarded the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for the risks that he took.
    • Quotes

      LA Times Reporter: What does the title refer to?

      Lester Siegel: The Argo. You know, it's the thing.

      LA Times Reporter: Like Jason and the Golden Fleece, or what?

      Lester Siegel: No, no. It's the ship. It's the spaceship. It goes everywhere. It goes all throughout space.

      LA Times Reporter: So, it's Argonaut.

      Lester Siegel: No.

      LA Times Reporter: What does Argo mean?

      Lester Siegel: I don't know.

      LA Times Reporter: You don't know?

      Lester Siegel: It means "Argo fuck yourself."

    • Crazy credits
      Past the photos of cast members and the real people they play, there's audio from an interview with then-President Jimmy Carter talking about the crisis.
    • Alternate versions
      After it screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, the postscript at the end credits was changed because it was felt that it slighted Canada's involvement in the rescue of the American hostages.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.11 (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Upside Down
      from In the Valley of Elah (2007)

      Written by Mark Isham

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc./Summit Entertainment, LLC

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    FAQ29

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    • Is 'Argo' based on a book?
    • How did the embassy fall?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 12, 2012 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Persian
      • German
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Escape from Tehran
    • Filming locations
      • Istanbul, Turkey
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • GK Films
      • Smokehouse Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $44,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $136,025,503
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,458,109
      • Oct 14, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $232,325,503
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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