November 14-2014
Everybody seems aware by now that the Ben Affleck movie “Argo” took some major liberties with the facts to make the “exfiltration” of six Americans from Tehran at the start of the hostage crisis way more dramatic than reality.
Now the CIA itself is piling it on. Last week, to mark the 35th anniversary of the embassy seizure, the CIA tweeted eight corrections to the film, putting “Reel Argo” next to “Real Argo.”
Here is what the CIA says in its latest expose of what others try to hide.
Reel Argo: When the US Embassy is overtaken, the six US diplomats go right to the Canadian ambassador’s residence to live for the three months. Real Argo: Five of them went to many different places until they ended up at the homes of the Canadian ambassador and the deputy chief of mission.
Reel Argo: Only one CIA officer goes to Tehran to help exfiltrate the six Americans: Real Argo: Two CIA officers with notable forgery and exfiltration skills went to Tehran to get the six out.
Reel Argo: The CIA officer and the six diplomats go into town, pretending to scout locations, including the Tehran Bazaar, for a film. Real Argo: They never went anywhere to scout a location. The six hid in the Canadians’ homes for 79 days.
Reel Argo: Washington decides to call off the escape the night before the six are scheduled to depart. Real Argo: President Carter gave approval even before the exfiltration team went to Tehran and the details were approved by policymakers in both Ottawa and Washington.
Reel Argo: Airline tickets are not waiting at the Mehrabad counter and the six have to be rechecked before the tickets are authorized and confirmed. Real Argo: The Canadians had already purchased the tickets for the Americans. There were no issues at the counter or the checkpoints.
Reel Argo: Shredded documents are pieced together by those occupying the embassy to reveal the face of one of the Americans they didn’t capture. The airport is notified and guards chase the plane down the runway. Real Argo: Documents were pieced together, but none of them revealed the identity of any of the Americans at the last moment.
Reel Argo: The Americans are detained at the airport by suspicious security guards and a call is made back to “Studio Six” in Hollywood to verify their identity. Real Argo: It didn’t happen. An early flight was picked so airline officials would be sleepy and Revolutionary Guards would still be in bed.
Reel Argo: The plane clears Iranian air space and the Americans cheer and celebrate. Real Argo: That happened; there was even a round of celebratory Bloody Marys.
Some feel the CIA corrections are by no means complete. When “Argo” was released, the Canadian ambassador, Ken Taylor—who is now 80 years old—made his views clear about the movie’s accuracy and some needed corrections.
“The movie’s fun, it’s thrilling, it’s pertinent, it’s timely,” he told the Toronto Star. “But look, Canada was not merely standing around watching events take place. The CIA was a junior partner,” he said.
There was no Tweet saying that last week.
