The real "Argo": Fareed Zakaria talks with Tony Mendez

[@ceilconstante7813]

None of this would have been possible without Ken Taylor the Canadian Ambassador who took them in and never given due credit. RIP Ken Taylor.

[@Bhadrudu]

great guy, admire him.

[@ellengrace4609]

I think the movie portrayed him and his wife very well, as silent heroes.

[@gabymonterroso41]

Agree

[@fredwerza3478]

I got newfound respect for Canadians after seeing his character in the movie --- that was pure heroism on display

[@lydialutz]

Tony Mendez was American. CIA. The Canadians got credit for it for years to keep it top secret, but it was really American Tony Mendez who was mastermind behind the idea. @@fredwerza3478

[@Davidmen90]

Tony Mendez initiated his idea on how to get them out of Iran! He really is the hero and because of Canada his idea worked. They both get the credit.

[@offspringfan1288]

I am so grateful that Ben Affleck made this film and brought this incredible true story to light. I wasn’t born in the 70s and never knew of this situation. Similar to Spielberg making Schindler’s List, without these films I would have never known of these true stories.

[@Jay-vr9ir]

KEN TAYLOR and only Ken TAYLOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fraerot]

Wasn't showed the true. This CIA agent was only day and half in Iran. The Canadian ambasodor was the truly hero. Ken Taylor

[@joshpritt2146]

Same with The French Connection.

[@MaxPower-vf8kt]

Too bad he American washed it. Even President Carter said it was inaccurate and that 90% of it was orchestrated and carried out by Ken Taylor.

[@patricialivingston5349]

Tony Mendez was a genius. Was not well at the time of this interview and died prematurely. But a true Fine Artist, became CIA and a genius! Mendez came up with this idea and was a 25-year CIA veteran with his wife Jonna Mendez, Disguise Chief CIA. A true dynamic duo. Tony was a document specialist and successfully ran many, many brilliant operations. And the wonderful Ken Taylor was an incredible Canadian Ambassador.

[@stuffykong]

I've seen his wife participate in a series where she talks about disguises. What fascinating lives.

[@carolynm8421]

Everyone turned them away including the British but Canada took them in with open arms. Our true friends to the north. Thank you.

[@edwardh3020]

Argo, a great movie. The last half hour omg.

[@Bhadrudu]

But the person who acted as the hero in this movie is no actor. His face bore poker face, expressionless, throughout the movie

[@EricRipperOfficial]

@@Bhadrudu his name is Ben Affleck lol and he seems to play it well based on this interview

[@queenbee2371]

I was on the edge of my seat!!

[@RMUNOZ1963]

Based on a true story. The ending was improvised or made up a bit. The plane wasn’t being chased.

[@Nairuulagch]

Thank you Canada!

[@NYRM1974]

Bless Canada's 🙌 for it's assistance during this ordeal.

[@Deborah-so8mv]

True. Disregard Hollywood’s take.

[@jkjsooner]

Yes, but Mendez went from the safety of the US to Iran. Not many people would do that. In addition, Mendez had to hide his own identity unlike the Canadian ambassador. If they get caught, the ambassador probably would have been expelled or taken hostage. Mendez as a CIA agent would have been killed. And frankly it appears that the Canadian ambassador was happy to take full credit for 15 years. He did a great thing but it sounds a little like he was happier when he was the only hero.

[@theloniousm4337]

Tony Mendez would have been lucky to have been killed if captured in Iran. Most likely a confirmed CIA agent would have been tortured for a long time. Ken Taylors contribution was greater than he was given credit for in the movie. But taking credit for things wasn't the point of this operation - it was to get Americans out of Iran, and they were successful.

[@tauron1]

The Canadians, at great risk to themselves, took the Americans in, which the CIA played zero part in. If it was discovered that the Americans were there, their Embassy would have been, attacked, overrun, diplomats captured and or killed with any survivors becoming more hostages. Diplomats being expelled is the civilized worlds' way of dealing with Ambassadorial slights, Iran was in no way dealing in a civilized way, otherwise there would have been no hostages to begin with. The CIA sure gets the credit for coming up with the plan, but they also should get the Homer Simpson D'OH!!!! for not seeing the shit hitting the fan in Iran prior to their Embassy getting overrun.

[@gabymonterroso41]

Yo creo que cada quien jugó un papel importante en su experiencia… Tony, el embajador, el maquillista… TODOS..

[@webdev2670]

You forgot that the canadians are under NO obligation to take the risk and take them in for how many months, but they did anyway

[@hwcanotabot]

This is heroism at its finest. This man’s a hero and his loyalty to his country is an inspiration. It’s people like him that make spies cool.

[@LazyPirate8]

I just finished watching it. This story is beyond unbelievable.

[@nlcrme]

Tony Mendez is a true Hero. Also, sharing hero status are the Canadian Ambassador and his wife for taking the 6 Americans in and protecting them. But what so many people forget about are the unsung heroes that without their part of heroism the 6 would have been caught along with the CIA Agent and the Ambassador and his wife and that is Sahar, the housekeeper who had to lie to the Iranian Police in a convincing manner. Had Sahar told the police the truth the whole operation would have tanked. And the other 2 heroes are definitely the Director in Hollywood, Lester Siegel and the magnificent John Chambers who created a real fake movie! So many heroes in this operation. Also, the folks back at home in the CIA and the Whitehouse, they too had their part to play and all these heroes working together helped save lives and do the unimaginable. Best True Story Movie, Best Everything.

[@nareshbisht7620]

Great movie. Salute to this man. Felt bad that he was given the credit way later.

[@cesnav7593]

They had to wait. It was a top secret mission. It couldn’t be discussed til much later, when all of the American hostages were freed

[@QueenDaydream13]

I’m sure he didn’t mind. Dude was a spy. Probably did hundreds of other things that would warrant a salute that are hella classified and he’ll never get credit for. That’s probably the most impressive part for me. It takes a truly good person to do heroic shit like this when you know it won’t even get acknowledged.

[@111oooo]

New Zealand did not turn them away. I am not from New Zealand but I don't blame them for being pissed off at the movie

[@thickFruitJuice]

I'm African but I think this plan was genius. Wow!

[@yassm]

what does being african have to do with this LoL

[@ellengrace4609]

@@yassm My thoughts, literally! 😂

[@rc59191]

Lol how is being African related to this?

[@realistbrit349]

The clip shown at 2 minutes has always been a puzzle to me. It is stated that they were turned away from both the UK and New Zealand embassies (Brits and Kiwis) whereas in fact diplomatic staff from both countries along with Sweden did help them. When the US embassy was taken this small group were advised to go to the British embassy but the way was blocked by a demonstration (that embassy was also overrun shortly after). Over the next few days they hid out in various locations including a British diplomatic compound before being 'taken in' by the Canadians. We all know that some bending of the truth is needed in movie making but outright lies should be avoided.

[@OscarSanchez-bq4nl]

It was not Ben Affleck who played Tony on ARGO, it was Tony desguised as Ben Affleck playing Tony.

[@Defender78]

a dude disguised as a dude playing another dude

[@vegatti2453]

He is a true Hero.

[@karapusat4002]

🦅🌹🙏Toney Mendez🙏🌹🦅

[@brucecrozier7040]

I'm just repeating what the president of the united states at the time said, if anybody would know it's him not you. Forget the anti-american crap. Canada will always stand up for it's friends.

[@Deborah-so8mv]

Carter gave the credit to Canada.

[@ALongZHAO]

Good Movie!,Nice work of Tony!

[@miketheman4341]

I was in Iran after the Revolution and its was chaos! The Iranians could not catch a company of US military personnel given the incompetence but we did not that at the time. Most people don’t know the thousands that got out by simply paying a few $ to the right people at the airport. Hint militants make terrible police officers and even less effective intelligence officers.

[@tjjavier]

Not to take away any credit from Tony Mendez, but yeah I read that the intensity wasn't as high, and it wasn't as difficult to leave the country as the film made it look.

[@miketheman4341]

Tj Javier True

[@tjjavier]

@Deshawn Lindsey Not hating, in fact I said not to take anything away from him. Just stating facts that I read, and even Tony himself mentioned this.

[@tonysoprano1454]

“My masters…”

[@robwagnon6578]

In the security world, we call that 'hiding in plain site'...

[@Asmahdan]

Maybe because Ken Taylor, other Canadian embassy officials and the Canadian Gov't did 90% of the work.

[@-danR]

Canada did 90% of the hosting. The op was 90% American. Everyone got credit.

[@mehmetalireyhan8436]

@@-danR didn't the president at the time said Canada did 90% of the work correct me if I am wrong

[@tauron1]

@@mehmetalireyhan8436 , yes he did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqWZaoyXbJ6pm7M

[@MaxPower-vf8kt]

@@-danRthat’s why President Carter spoke up and said it was orchestrated by Ken Taylor. And that 90% of the operation was thought up and carried by the Canadians. This was well known in Canada and the movie was disappointing but it was nice to see the president correct history, but sounds like no one cares.

[@AirQuotes848]

Favorite movie

[@polarodriguez3605]

Brilliant 💯💯💯

[@ricksergison9760]

Interesting how even President Carter gives the credit to the Canadian Ambassador, Ken Taylor, especially after seeing the movie. Hmmmm....

[@VictorFr0st]

There was a lot of footage of the ambassador in the movie and how he risked his life. You're looking for controversery where none exists because you resent Americans.

[@signalrepeater]

why can't simple protocols of respecting diplomatic staff be followed by all nations? By all means fight but diplmats and embassy staff should be treated by one protocol worldwide? why so hard? there won't be no movies and no nonsense.

[@ggrth8273]

It's because it was not Iran's government who stormed it, it was students.

[@XaldinX]

Not to mention the problem was that the CIA was already involved notice how they incinerated classified documents. They explained it in the beginning how the us replaced acting leader with someone else who tortured and killed civilians Iranians were right to attack a cia front

[@KongkonRoy-z5i]

​Shut up terrorist. ​@@XaldinX

[@josephanderson7237]

Your looking for truth in a Hollywood movie? Both the CIA AND Canada deserve credit.

[@brucecrozier7040]

Being critical about a movie doesn't make me anti-American. I am proud we helped our neighbour out in a tight spot. It's more the trumping up the CIA involvement that's incorrect. Jimmy Carter said the same thing, does that make him anti-American ? You want to see anti-American travel to the middle east

[@Bhadrudu]

An embassy is an area which as per mutual benefit international agreements a foreign land.. How the Iranians seized American Embassy? Why Carter allowed Iranian Khamenys to get away with it? He had grounds to invade Iran to free their citizens.

[@NavidManuchehrabadi]

He tried but failed in Tabas. Read history!

[@Bhadrudu]

@@NavidManuchehrabadi he did not invade Iran as per history. He sent some mission which miserably failed. Stupid fellow.

[@nderitumwaush9725]

For me I think the real heroes in this whole thing is the Iranian leadership.the release of the remaining hostages was a good thing.imagine if it was n.Korea.

[@emilio2647]

Nderitu mwaush do you really think Kim II Sung would've killed American diplomats?

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Great job IRL and in the making a movie about this heroic man. I remember this crisis as a young adult and this was a national low point. I admire Carter as a man, but as president he had a sh*t storm to deal with in the economy and storming of the embassy. Our support of the Shah was not a proud moment either. We over threw a democratic leader to place a despot on the throne. Shame in US foreign policy.

[@magicapricot]

Watching the story on the Military Channel completely ruined Argo for me.....

[@ellengrace4609]

Why?

[@VictorFr0st]

Well it sure seems like you're resentful about something. I saw that movie a week ago and there were a lot of scenes with the ambassador that made it clear what trouble he went to. You want to complain about the United States because its fashionable to complain about Americans.

[@yaelfeldhendler6280]

Great part of the Canadians not in the movie

[@fraerot]

does he has dificulty when speaking?he speaks as it had yesterday a heart attack

[@VictorFr0st]

I think the ambassador was given ample credit in the movie.

[@coreanstacker5427]

Is English his second language? Why does he have difficulty speaking?

[@theinvalidvalid]

I believe he had Parkinson’s disease during this time

[@coreanstacker5427]

@@theinvalidvalid ah... never mind, then. Maybe I will devote myself to studying the human brain. My dad keeps asking me the same thing like 4 times and tells me the same damn stories like 10 times!!!

[@GioRod87]

Canadians are angry because the movie Argo did not give them enough credit. Well, thats because the movie Argo wasn't about what the Canadians did. It was about what Tony Mendez and the CIA did. You want credit? Make your own fucking version and show what you did... with all due respect.

[@tauron1]

Nobody's angry here, nobody really gives a shit., however if you want to go down that road, it's never about "enough credit", Tony Mendez deserves credit for the plan, sure, but it's about the correct credit. With, no Canadian Embassy, no Canadian Passports, no Canadian empathy, no 6 Americans getting their ass home. That's the facts.

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Bull ! Did you not listen? They were turned away , but Canada did not turn them away .

[@paulfukinsmukker5149]

Lmao hows tony mendez a money grubber? the fucking CIA FORCED him to come forward...derp

[@XaldinX]

So US invades replaces foreign leader only to try and clean up there mess smh

[@Senaleb]

That's cause we're badass.

[@liberalsocialist9723]

@@Senaleb Its badass being the villian?

[@redskins112995]

Tony Mendez was in Iran for a day and a half and did what the Canadians didn't do for months.

[@awesomenesschannel4159]

Canadians would’ve been taken hostage. Mendez would have gotten killed immediately once they knew he was American. ESPECIALLY when they found out he was working for the CIA. immediate bullet to his head. Without Mendez there wouldn’t have been Argo. No Argo, no getting out. The Canadian embassy got stormed hours after they all left. If they would’ve stayed, they all would’ve got killed. Even the Canadians. Do your research.

[@budaibusterdubz3124]

L

[@rashmi6222]

Why is he talking so low looking underconfident

[@coreanstacker5427]

I was thinking the same!🙂

[@LazyPirate8]

Parkinsons

[@brucecrozier7040]

Paul, your ignorance goes hand in hand with your last name

[@lepetitchat123]

Ben Affleck whitewashing the role? Mendez is pretty white himself lol

[@wits3392]

No, he's LATINO, why not hire a white Latino? Also Ben Affleck is a horrible actor, this guy can't only play himself in movies, Tony Mendez can deny as much as he likes he will always be a chicano 😂😂😂😂

[@brucecrozier7040]

Your kidding right the whole movie was based on the cia

[@skeome]

It was made by the CIA

[@Bhadrudu]

Ben Affleck did no action in the movie, throughout he put up a poker face, expressionless. is that acting?

[@jlipawen6453]

Come on dude you can actually look at the real person right here and he also have a poker face even when he made the joke.

[@Bhadrudu]

@@jlipawen6453 Agreed. Also in the real-life scenario, he should not show emotions if he had to succeed in the mission. But in a movie you need to convey the emotions to the audience, so you need to express them. The real-life tension should be felt by the audience. All the other actors in the movie did well. By the way, did the dramatic scene of militants (terrorists actually) chasing the plane happen? or was it a cinematic addition? Perhaps they came to know much later probably after the Canadians announced it. Carter, in spite of heading a superpower with nuclear arms et al, could not force Iran to submit to the international law that embassy officials cannot be captured. Very irksome.

[@kylespeirs6510]

Liar

[@zackq8865]

Tony Mendez is extremely classless. He never once gave credit to the Canadians efforts. He pretty much took all the credit himself. He didn't even mention the word canada once.