MAY 2023:

Directed by Ben Affleck, Screenplay by Chris Terrio Based on "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez, and "The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran" by Joshuah Bearman, Produced by Ben Affleck, George Clooney, and Grant Heslov, Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, with Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, and Edited by William Goldenberg, with Music by Alexandre Desplat, Production companies: GK Films, and Smokehouse Pictures, and Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. (2012)
Argo (2012)

A Compelling Pair…

The intersection of espionage, creativity, and real-life heroism is masterfully captured in the 1999 memoir The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA by U.S. CIA operative Tony Mendez and the 2007 Wired article “The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran” by Joshuah Bearman. These two sources provide an extraordinary glimpse into the events that inspired the 2012 film Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Together, they offer a comprehensive and engaging account of the “Canadian Caper”—a daring rescue mission that defied the odds and showcased the indomitable human spirit.

From the author of Argo comes an unforgettable behind-the-scenes story of espionage in action. In the first ever memoir by a top-level operative to be authorized by the CIA, Antonio J. Mendez reveals the cunning tricks and insights that helped save hundreds from deadly situations. Adept at creating new identities for anyone, anywhere, Mendez was involved in operations all over the world, from “Wild West” adventures in East Asia to Cold War intrigue in Moscow. In 1980, he orchestrated the escape of six Americans from a hostage situation in revolutionary Tehran, Iran. This extraordinary operation inspired the movie Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck. The Master of Disguise gives us a privileged look at what really happens at the highest levels of international espionage: in the field, undercover, and behind closed doors. Photo Credit: Amazon.com
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Tony Mendez arrives at the 'Argo' - Los Angeles Premiere at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on October 4, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
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"The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran" by Joshuah Bearman is the 2007 "Wired" article that the 2012 film directed by Ben Affleck was adapted from along with Tony Mendez's memoir. Photo Credit: Wired
Joshuah Bearman attends the screening of "Little America" at 92nd Street Y on February 06, 2020 in New York City. Photo Credit: John Lamparski/Getty Images
Directed by Ben Affleck, Screenplay by Chris Terrio Based on "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez, and "The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran" by Joshuah Bearman, Produced by Ben Affleck, George Clooney, and Grant Heslov, Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, with Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, and Edited by William Goldenberg, with Music by Alexandre Desplat, Production companies: GK Films, and Smokehouse Pictures, and Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. (2012)
Ben Affleck directing "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The "Canadian Caper" was the joint covert rescue by the Canadian government and the CIA of six American diplomats who had evaded capture during the seizure of the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, on November 4, 1979, after the Iranian Revolution, when Islamist students took most of the American embassy personnel hostage, demanding the return of the US-backed Shah for trial. After the diplomats had been sheltered by the British mission and Canadian diplomatic personnel, the Canadian and United States governments worked on a strategy to gain their escape through subterfuge and use of Canadian passports. The "caper" involved a CIA officer (Tony Mendez and his colleague Ed Johnson) joining the six diplomats in Tehran to form a fake film crew. It was purportedly made up of six Canadians, one Irishman and one Latin American, who were finishing scouting for an appropriate location to shoot a scene for the science-fiction film Argo, production of which had in fact been abandoned. On the morning of Sunday, January 27, 1980, the full eight-person party passed through passport control, at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, boarded a Swissair flight to Zürich and escaped Iran. Phot Credit: Wikipedia Commons
From the author of Argo comes an unforgettable behind-the-scenes story of espionage in action. In the first ever memoir by a top-level operative to be authorized by the CIA, Antonio J. Mendez reveals the cunning tricks and insights that helped save hundreds from deadly situations. Adept at creating new identities for anyone, anywhere, Mendez was involved in operations all over the world, from “Wild West” adventures in East Asia to Cold War intrigue in Moscow. In 1980, he orchestrated the escape of six Americans from a hostage situation in revolutionary Tehran, Iran. This extraordinary operation inspired the movie Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck. The Master of Disguise gives us a privileged look at what really happens at the highest levels of international espionage: in the field, undercover, and behind closed doors. Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Tony Mendez’s memoir, The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA, offers readers an intimate and firsthand perspective on the “Canadian Caper” and his illustrious career as a CIA operative. The book provides a rich backstory, detailing Mendez’s early life and his journey into the world of espionage. His narrative voice is engaging and often reflective, inviting readers to step into the shoes of a true American hero.

Tony Mendez's classified United States Mission to Tehran, Iran to rescue six diplomats. Photo Credit: Google Images

Mendez delves into the intricacies of the CIA’s operations, shedding light on the agency’s creative and often unconventional approaches to intelligence gathering and covert missions. His accounts of disguises, cover identities, and espionage techniques are both fascinating and educational. Readers gain insights into the high-stakes world of espionage and the intellectual challenges it presents.

The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at Langley, VA. Photo Credit: Google Images

Of course, the heart of the memoir lies in Mendez’s description of the “Canadian Caper.” He vividly recounts the inception of the audacious plan to rescue the six American diplomats from Tehran, providing readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the operational intricacies, including the creation of a fake film production company, the forging of Canadian identities, and the nail-biting moments at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport. Mendez‘s storytelling prowess ensures that readers are on the edge of their seats, despite knowing the ultimate outcome of the mission.

The "Canadian Caper" was the joint covert rescue by the Canadian government and the CIA of six American diplomats who had evaded capture during the seizure of the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, on November 4, 1979, after the Iranian Revolution, when Islamist students took most of the American embassy personnel hostage, demanding the return of the US-backed Shah for trial. After the diplomats had been sheltered by the British mission and Canadian diplomatic personnel, the Canadian and United States governments worked on a strategy to gain their escape through subterfuge and use of Canadian passports. The "caper" involved a CIA officer (Tony Mendez and his colleague Ed Johnson) joining the six diplomats in Tehran to form a fake film crew. It was purportedly made up of six Canadians, one Irishman and one Latin American, who were finishing scouting for an appropriate location to shoot a scene for the science-fiction film Argo, production of which had in fact been abandoned. On the morning of Sunday, January 27, 1980, the full eight-person party passed through passport control, at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, boarded a Swissair flight to Zürich and escaped Iran. An article written about these events was published in Wired in 2007. The article was used loosely—alongside a memoir Mendez wrote—as the basis of the 2012 film Argo. Photo Credit: Google Images

Moreover, The Master of Disguise offers valuable personal insights into the individuals involved in the “Canadian Caper.” Mendez portrays the diplomats, the Canadian government officials, and his own CIA team members as multidimensional characters. This humanizes the story, allowing readers to connect with the real people behind the daring rescue.

John Vernon Sheardown CM (October 11, 1924 – December 30, 2012) was a Canadian diplomat who played a leading role in the "Canadian Caper". He and his wife Zena personally sheltered Americans hiding in Iran during the Iran hostage crisis. Photo Credit: Google Images
Ken Taylor: Former ambassador irons out irritants. Photo Credit: Keith Beaty/Toronto Star via Getty Images
The government of Canada (French: gouvernement du Canada) is the body responsible for the federal administration of Canada. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown assumes distinct roles: the executive, as the Crown-in-Council; the legislative, as the Crown-in-Parliament; and the judicial, as the Crown-on-the-Bench. Three institutions—the Privy Council (conventionally, the Cabinet), the Parliament, and the judiciary, respectively—exercise the powers of the Crown. Photo Credit: Google Images
Americans were grateful for Canadian aid in sheltering and rescuing American diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis of 1980. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Agent Tony Mendez is congratulated by President Jimmy Carter on the success of Operation Argo. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Antonio Joseph Mendez (November 15, 1940 – January 19, 2019) was an American technical operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), who specialized in support of clandestine and covert CIA operations. He wrote four memoirs about his CIA experiences. Mendez was decorated, and is now widely known, for his on-the-scene management of the "Canadian Caper" during the Iran hostage crisis. He exfiltrated six American diplomats from Iran in January 1980 by arranging to have them pose as a Canadian film crew. As part of their cover, the diplomats carried passports issued by the Canadian government to document them as Canadian citizens. After declassification of records, the full details of the operation were reported in a 2007 article by Joshuah Bearman in Wired magazine. This was loosely adapted for the screenplay and development of the 2012 Academy Award-winning film Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, who also starred as Mendez. Mendez attended the 70th Golden Globe Awards to give a speech about the film, where it was nominated for (and later won) Best Motion Picture – Drama. Photo Credit: Google Images

In addition to its gripping narrative, the memoir provides a broader context for the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis. Mendez explains the complexities of the political landscape and the intense anti-American sentiment in Iran at the time, which adds depth to the story. Furthermore, the memoir highlights the importance of international cooperation, as the collaboration between the U.S. and Canadian governments made the rescue possible.

Protesters outside the United States Embassy. Tehran, Iran, 1979. The Iranian revolution of 1979 marked the advent of a new political era for the country, the ramifications of which were felt across the Muslim world. A popular uprising, driven by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from exile in France, toppled the US-backed leadership of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. In 1978, the late Magnum photographer Abbas arrived in the country; he charted the unrest as it unfolded. Pictured here, armed protestors gather outside the United States Embassy, where diplomats are held hostages in Tehran. 1979. Photo Credit: Google Images
Iran hostage crisis - Iranian students climb up U.S. embassy gates in Tehran. Photo Credit: Google Images
UNITED STATES - November 5: New York Daily News front page Monday, November 5, 1979, IRAN MOB HOLDS 59 AMERICANS Photo Credit: NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic standoff between the United States and Iran. Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage after a group of militarized Iranian college students belonging to the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line, who supported the Iranian Revolution, took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran[4][5] and took them as hostages. The hostages were held for 444 days, from November 4, 1979 to their release on January 20, 1981. The crisis is considered a pivotal episode in the history of Iran–United States relations. Photo Credit: Britannica
Tony Mendez arrives at the 'Argo' - Los Angeles Premiere at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on October 4, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
The Embassy of the United States of America in Tehran was the American diplomatic mission in the Imperial State of Iran. Direct bilateral diplomatic relations between the two governments were severed following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, and the subsequent seizure of the embassy in November 1979. Photo Credit: Google Images
The former Canadian Embassy in Tehran that closed in 2012. Photo Credit: Google Images
Americans were grateful for Canadian aid in sheltering and rescuing American diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis of 1980. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
"The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran" by Joshuah Bearman is the 2007 "Wired" article that the 2012 film directed by Ben Affleck was adapted from along with Tony Mendez's memoir. Photo Credit: Wired

Joshuah Bearman’s 2007 Wired article, “The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran,” is a brilliant companion to Mendez’s memoir. Bearman’s article brings the “Canadian Caper” to life with meticulous research and compelling storytelling. It provides a comprehensive overview of the mission’s planning and execution, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the world of espionage.

(L to R) Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Chris Messina, and Matt Nolan in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
(L to R) Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Christopher Denham, Kerry Bishé, Scoot McNairy, Ben Affleck, and Rory Cochrane in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Bearman’s writing is crisp and engaging, and he expertly captures the tension and suspense surrounding the “Canadian Caper.” His article presents the events chronologically, from the initial brainstorming of the rescue plan to the heart-pounding moments at the airport. Bearman‘s attention to detail and his ability to convey the complexity of the operation are commendable.

(L to R) Ben Affleck, Victor Garber, Page Leong, Tate Donovan, Kerry Bishé, Scoot McNairy, Clea DuVall, Christopher Denham, and Rory Cochrane in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
A scene in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

One of the standout aspects of Bearman’s article is his exploration of the Hollywood connection. He delves into the creation of the fake sci-fi film Argo, providing a glimpse into the world of film production as it intersects with espionage. This element adds an intriguing layer to the story and underscores the sheer audacity of the rescue plan.

Variety-Magazine-Logo
Movie poster created by the CIA as part of the cover story for the "Canadian Caper" and the ad that was placed in the Hollywood trade magazine, "Variety" Photo Credit: Wikipeida Commons

Bearman’s article also underscores the international dimensions of the “Canadian Caper.” He highlights the pivotal role played by the Canadian government, particularly Ambassador Ken Taylor, in sheltering the American diplomats and facilitating their escape. This emphasis on international cooperation aligns with the memoir’s message of collaboration and solidarity in times of crisis.

(L to R) Victor Garber as Ken Taylor, and director/star Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The Canadian Six at the Harry S Truman building. (L to R) Rob Anders, Kathy Stafford, Joe Stafford, Lee Schatz, Cora Lijek, and Mark Lijek. Photo Credit: Canadian Museum of History

**Recommendation**

In recommending The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA by Tony Mendez and “The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran” article by Joshuah Bearman, it’s clear that these two sources complement each other beautifully. Together, they provide a comprehensive, gripping, and educational account of the “Canadian Caper”—the mission that inspired the film Argo.

The "Canadian Caper" was the joint covert rescue by the Canadian government and the CIA of six American diplomats who had evaded capture during the seizure of the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, on November 4, 1979, after the Iranian Revolution, when Islamist students took most of the American embassy personnel hostage, demanding the return of the US-backed Shah for trial. After the diplomats had been sheltered by the British mission and Canadian diplomatic personnel, the Canadian and United States governments worked on a strategy to gain their escape through subterfuge and use of Canadian passports. The "caper" involved a CIA officer (Tony Mendez and his colleague Ed Johnson) joining the six diplomats in Tehran to form a fake film crew. It was purportedly made up of six Canadians, one Irishman and one Latin American, who were finishing scouting for an appropriate location to shoot a scene for the science-fiction film Argo, production of which had in fact been abandoned. On the morning of Sunday, January 27, 1980, the full eight-person party passed through passport control, at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, boarded a Swissair flight to Zürich and escaped Iran. Phot Credit: Wikipedia Commons
The Academy Award winning "Argo" screenplay written by Chris Terrio. Photo Credit: Google Images
Chris Terrio arrives at the 'Argo' - Los Angeles Premiere at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on October 4, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
Directed by Ben Affleck, Screenplay by Chris Terrio Based on "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez, and "The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran" by Joshuah Bearman, Produced by Ben Affleck, George Clooney, and Grant Heslov, Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, with Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, and Edited by William Goldenberg, with Music by Alexandre Desplat, Production companies: GK Films, and Smokehouse Pictures, and Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. (2012)
(L to R) Scoot McNairy, Clea DuVall, Kerry Bishé, Tate Donovan, Christopher Denham, and Rory Cochrane, (C) Ben Affleck in "Argo" (2012) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Mendez’s memoir offers an intimate perspective from a key player in the operation, while Bearman’s article provides a meticulously researched and vividly narrated overview of the mission’s intricacies. Readers who are drawn to tales of espionage, real-life heroism, and the triumph of creativity in the face of adversity will find these sources both captivating and enlightening.

An exhibit about the Argo operation is on display at the museum in the C.I.A.’s headquarters in Langley, Va. Photo Credit: Jason Andrew for The New York Times
Antonio Joseph Mendez (November 15, 1940 – January 19, 2019) was an American technical operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), who specialized in support of clandestine and covert CIA operations. He wrote four memoirs about his CIA experiences. Mendez was decorated, and is now widely known, for his on-the-scene management of the "Canadian Caper" during the Iran hostage crisis. He exfiltrated six American diplomats from Iran in January 1980 by arranging to have them pose as a Canadian film crew. As part of their cover, the diplomats carried passports issued by the Canadian government to document them as Canadian citizens. After declassification of records, the full details of the operation were reported in a 2007 article by Joshuah Bearman in Wired magazine. This was loosely adapted for the screenplay and development of the 2012 Academy Award-winning film Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, who also starred as Mendez. Mendez attended the 70th Golden Globe Awards to give a speech about the film, where it was nominated for (and later won) Best Motion Picture – Drama. Photo Credit: Google Images

Furthermore, these works underscore the importance of historical narratives in understanding significant events. They shed light on a lesser-known chapter of history, celebrating the courage and resourcefulness of those involved in the “Canadian Caper.” For educators, students, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in tales of daring rescues, these sources offer a compelling and educational journey into the world of espionage and international diplomacy.

Five of the six escapees went to the Canadian Embassy in Washington to thank the Canadians for their help in escaping from Iran, Feb. 5, 1980. From left: Robert G. Anders, Cora Amburn Lijek, Tom Boehm, political counselor of the Canadian Embassy, Joseph D. Stafford, Mark Lijek and Kathleen F. Stafford. Photo Credit: ABC News

In summary, In recommending The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA and “The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran” article stand as a powerful duo that enriches our understanding of the “Canadian Caper” and its enduring legacy, reminding us of the remarkable achievements that can be born from creativity, collaboration, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

Directed by Ben Affleck, Screenplay by Chris Terrio Based on "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez, and "The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran" by Joshuah Bearman, Produced by Ben Affleck, George Clooney, and Grant Heslov, Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, with Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, and Edited by William Goldenberg, with Music by Alexandre Desplat, Production companies: GK Films, and Smokehouse Pictures, and Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. (2012)

Argo is available now to rent on all streaming platforms…

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