Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.ArgoA movie brief.
2012 / Historical drama / Directed by Ben Affleck
Courage is the only option
What is Argo about?
During the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, a CIA operative concocts a plan to rescue six American diplomats. The agency recruits a film crew to pose as a Canadian film team to facilitate the rescue.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is based on the true story of the CIA's rescue mission during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979.
World
The movie portrays the tense and unstable political climate in Iran during the 1979 revolution.
Pressure
The CIA team faces immense pressure to rescue the American diplomats before it's too late.
Craft
The film's use of fake identities and a cover story to facilitate the rescue is a testament to the creative and resourceful efforts of the CIA team.
Viewing note
The film is a gripping and intense thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
A thought to take with you.
The rescue plan depends on a fabricated film production that must look credible to officials in Tehran and to the people who know filmmaking. Tony Mendez's operation uses performance as cover, while the real participants have to carry the risk if the story fails.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a tense dramatization of the 1979 hostage crisis rescue operation. The film changes and compresses real events, so pair it with historical accounts for factual study.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked September 8, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach