Argo

Argo

Year: 2012

Runtime: 120 min

Language: English

Budget: $45M

Drama

In November 1979, during the Iran hostage crisis, six Americans find refuge at the Canadian ambassador's residence in Tehran. Facing imminent discovery, CIA operative Tony Mendez devises a risky plan to extract them. He creates a believable cover story involving a fake science fiction film production to smuggle them out of the country, a perilous operation demanding both quick thinking and bravery.

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Timeline & Setting – Argo (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Argo (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970s

The 1970s were pivotal in Iran's history, marked by political upheaval and social unrest. The decade saw the rise of revolutionary fervor, culminating in the 1979 Iranian Revolution which ultimately led to the overthrow of the Shah. This era was characterized by extreme tensions between conservative religious groups and Western influences.

Location

Tehran, Iran

Tehran, the capital of Iran, is a bustling metropolis known for its rich history and political significance. Once a stronghold of monarchy, it underwent a radical transformation during the 20th century, reflecting the tumultuous political climate of the time. The city is often characterized by its lively bazaars and the contrasting extravagant lifestyle of its former rulers.

🇮🇷 Iran 🕌 Historical

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:07

Main Characters – Argo (2012)

Meet the key characters of Argo (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck)

Tony Mendez is a resourceful CIA extraction expert, known for his quick thinking and innovative strategies in high-pressure situations. His character demonstrates courage and determination as he orchestrates a daring rescue plan under immense risk. Mendez balances the ethics of deception against the urgent need to save lives.

🕵️‍♂️ CIA Agent 🎬 Creative 💪 Courageous

Ken Taylor (Victor Garber)

Ken Taylor, the Canadian ambassador in Tehran, plays a crucial role in harboring the escaped hostages. His character embodies diplomacy and bravery, showcasing the risks taken by foreign officials during crises. Taylor's actions highlight the importance of humanitarian efforts amidst political chaos.

🇨🇦 Diplomat 🤝 Supportive 🛡️ Brave

Jack O'Donnell (Bryan Cranston)

Jack O'Donnell serves as Mendez's superior in the CIA, often providing the necessary support for the risky operation. His character represents the complexities of leadership during a crisis, balancing bureaucratic pressures with the immediate need for action. O'Donnell's decisiveness is key to ensuring the mission goes forward.

📊 Leader ⚖️ Tactical 🚀 Driven

John Chambers (John Goodman)

John Chambers is a Hollywood make-up artist who lends his creative expertise to help fabricate Mendez's cover story. His character reflects the intersection of art and espionage, showcasing how creativity can be a powerful tool in dire situations. Chambers brings a sense of camaraderie to the operation, essential for boosting morale.

🎨 Creative 🎭 Resourceful 🤗 Friendly

Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin)

Lester Siegel, a film producer, collaborates with Mendez to create a convincing facade for the rescue mission. His character embodies the entertaining yet serious nature of Hollywood, demonstrating how the film industry can intersect with real-world events. Siegel's humor and ingenuity are vital assets in executing their plan.

🎬 Producer 😂 Witty 🌐 Resourceful

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:07

Major Themes – Argo (2012)

Explore the central themes of Argo (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Freedom

The theme of freedom is central to 'Argo,' as the characters navigate the perilous quest for liberty amidst political turmoil. The story highlights the struggle of those trapped in oppressive situations yearning for escape. It emphasizes not only personal freedom for the hostages but also speaks to the broader implications of political change.

🎭 Deception

Deception plays a critical role in 'Argo,' with characters adopting false identities to outsmart their captors. The film showcases the lengths to which individuals will go to survive and the thin line between truth and fabrication. Mendez's ruse of creating a fictitious film serves as a metaphor for the complexities of deception in wartime.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:07

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Tense Improvised Escape Movies like Argo

Stories where heroes must invent an elaborate lie to survive under extreme pressure.If you were captivated by Argo's nerve-wracking fake film production plot, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection features other films where characters must invent and maintain a high-risk deception to escape a life-or-death situation, focusing on similar tension, ingenuity, and procedural detail.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a desperate situation requiring an ingenious, often audacious, plan built on a lie. The story unfolds as a procedural, detailing the setup of the deception, followed by a tense execution phase where the characters must navigate constant threats of exposure, leading to a climactic and relieving escape.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on a high-pressure escape driven by clever deception. They deliver a specific mix of procedural ingenuity and suspense, where the core thrill comes from watching a risky, improvised plan unfold under the noses of powerful adversaries.

True Story Procedural Thrillers Similar to Argo

Gripping accounts of real-life crises, solved through meticulous planning and courage.For viewers who appreciated Argo's blend of historical fact and nail-biting suspense, this list features other movies based on true stories that focus on the intricate planning and execution of a mission. These films combine documentary-like detail with the pacing of a thriller.

fact-basedgrippingproceduralhistoricaltensesoberingurgentmeticulous

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin by establishing a real-world crisis, then follow the methodical efforts of experts or ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. The narrative is driven by the challenges of applying a plan in a chaotic, unpredictable environment, culminating in a resolution that honors the historical outcome.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their foundation in true events and their focus on a procedural narrative. They offer a specific appeal: the intellectual satisfaction of understanding a complex real-world operation, combined with the emotional weight of knowing the stakes were genuine.

Unlock the Full Story of Argo

Don't stop at just watching — explore Argo in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Argo is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Argo Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Argo, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Argo Summary

Argo Timeline

Track the full timeline of Argo with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Argo Timeline

Argo Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Argo that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Argo Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Argo

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Argo: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Argo

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