This movie should appeal to all Canadians on the level of a sentimental reminder of our heroics during the Iranian hostage incident. However, it should also be appealing on an entertainment level also. The film stars many familiar Canadian actors like the ubiquitous Robert Joy, Chris Wiggins, R.H. Thompson and, of course, the anti-hero Gordon Pinsent who plays real life anti-hero Ken Taylor. The film does not glorify Taylor as a one-man Rambo saviour but rather shows him as a leader among a group of peace loving and peace keeping Canadians. For example, Thompson plays Lee Schatz. Schatz helps the escape plan by pretending to be an agriculture student from Guelph. The Iranian airport officials fall for his ruse and the hostages are one step closer to freedom. Quite often, TV movies based on recent real life events become dated quickly. However, the humour, production and cast make this film a souvenir of the 1980s to hang on to.
4 Reviews
Escape from Iran: the Canadian Caper, the true story of "Argo"
GeoData17 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
With release of the Ben Affleck film "Argo" and it's fictionalization of the historic events of the six Americans protected and helped to escape by the Canadian Ambassador in Iran during the Hostage Crisis, it would be very nice to see a home video release of this CTV Television Network, Canadian Film Development Corporation, Canamedia Productions & Stanley Rubin Productions TV movie "Escape from Iran: the Canadian Caper" released in May 1981, distributed by CBS for USA viewing. The film was produced by Les Harris at Canamedia.
The new film presents the Canadian central place in the events in a seriously reduced and dismissive role, which has been the subject of ridicule in the Canadian press and apparently from the Canadian ambassador from the time. It further misrepresents the entire action as a CIA originated action with false intrigues, phony activities and an absolutely absurd cowboy fire fight at the Tehran airport that simply NEVER HAPPENED.
The actual departure as depicted in the original film is accurate and, in the best Hitchcockian manner, full of real suspense as they quietly await on board the aircraft anxious to leave Iran. Their uneventful departure is a well done emotional climax.
I should like to see the Canamedia TV movie out in at least DVD or DVD-R format. Distribution could be very easily accomplished via Amazon.com Versions of the film seem to be online at YouTube and FilmSchoolRejects.com for viewing. But further, cable and satellite re-release of the movie would seem to be of interest to viewers at large over the next few months.
I have been in contact with Canamedia for several months requesting DVD or DVD-R release of this film. But despite responses in support of potential release and news stories suggesting Les Harris was working on remastering for distribution, nothing has yet seems to have been accomplished.
The new film presents the Canadian central place in the events in a seriously reduced and dismissive role, which has been the subject of ridicule in the Canadian press and apparently from the Canadian ambassador from the time. It further misrepresents the entire action as a CIA originated action with false intrigues, phony activities and an absolutely absurd cowboy fire fight at the Tehran airport that simply NEVER HAPPENED.
The actual departure as depicted in the original film is accurate and, in the best Hitchcockian manner, full of real suspense as they quietly await on board the aircraft anxious to leave Iran. Their uneventful departure is a well done emotional climax.
I should like to see the Canamedia TV movie out in at least DVD or DVD-R format. Distribution could be very easily accomplished via Amazon.com Versions of the film seem to be online at YouTube and FilmSchoolRejects.com for viewing. But further, cable and satellite re-release of the movie would seem to be of interest to viewers at large over the next few months.
I have been in contact with Canamedia for several months requesting DVD or DVD-R release of this film. But despite responses in support of potential release and news stories suggesting Les Harris was working on remastering for distribution, nothing has yet seems to have been accomplished.
Proud of my dad "Escape from Iran"
jthunter8 November 2004
Just watched the documentary on Escape from Iran. I just have to say how proud my brothers and myself are of what our Dad John Sheardown did for the American Hostages. He is the best Dad a daughter could ever have. I was up in Ottawa for the Canada awards and met a few of the hostages over the years. I have heard so many stories about the 3 months they all spent as house guests. Chris Wiggins played my Dad to a tee... Just wanted to say how much I enjoy seeing the movie when it comes on. I am very proud of my father he is a great man . Thankyou for allowing me to send this message. How proud I am of being Canadian .Sincerely Jacqueline Sheardown Hunter
Factually-based exciting historical tale
hrh-dmk23 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Giving this movie 10/10 for the adherence to true historical fact, accurate portrayal of each real-life person involved in this heroic "escapade", brilliantly written script, excellent production values and great acting. It is sometimes difficult to capture the true tension and fear that hostages & their saviours must be feeling while they are in the middle of it. This really happened! People easily forget the tensions people were experiencing in Iran in 1979... most embassies besides the Canadians were not willing to take the risks necessary to get those American citizens to safety. But John Sheardown and Kenneth Taylor stepped up. True valiance, captured beautifully by the writing and the acting prowess of Gordon Pinsent, Chris Wiggins, R.H. Thompson and the rest of this stellar cast. Definitely a keeper (& head-and-shoulders above the fiction "Argo", which those numbnuts in 'The Academy' chose to award an Oscar to. Idiots!). I have a friend who was travelling through the U.S. by car after this crisis was resolved and the Americans were delivered home. Seeing their Canadian license plates, countless U.S. citizens bought them gas and refreshments at service stations, as a thank you to Canada.
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