What a beautiful Hollywood-type story: 6 Americans escape as the U.S. embassy in Tehran is taken over in 1979. 5 of them end up a few days later at the Canadian embassy (the 6th makes it there later). Ken Taylor, then Canada's ambassador in Iran, keep the Americans in the embassy for three months. Canadian consular official John Sheardown played a key role.
They helped get the Americans out of Iran as "Canadians." Their story deserves the Hollywood treatment.
Argo is not that story. Argo is the story of CIA operative Tony Mendez. As Ken Taylor put it, "… Tony Mendez was only there for a day and a half."
Jon Stewart of the The Daily Show with Jon Stewart interviewed Argo director and star Ben Affleck. Stewart noted that no matter what is going on in the world, Canadians can travel freely.
"They're a peaceful people. They're a known peaceful people. We worked together with them, they housed our folks, saved our lives. It was international cooperation; all the good things that we like to see for the sake of peace. And hiding under the shelter of Canadians. That's us. That's America. Hiding behind the Canadians." — Ben Affleck
Those who have seen the movie have reportedly the lack of proper respect for Canada's role in the saving of the Americans. Even though Ken Taylor was in Toronto when the film opened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Taylor was not invited.
For those who like to read more about Ken Taylor's role, check out this recent Toronto Star interview or this take of the Canadian Caper via Wikipedia.
We expect Hollywood to take some liberty with a story. We aren't surprised that the American element is exaggerated and the Canadian role is diminished. Argo appears to stretch that idea to an extreme.
At least the film got Canadian actor Victor Garber to play Ken Taylor. Unfortunately, Garber is limited by a script that isn't even close to reality.
Ken Taylor, John Sheardown, and many brave Canadian diplomats deserve our thanks for being heroes and risking their lives. They deserve a lot better than Argo.
Argo opens today in theaters in the United States. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart airs on Comedy Central in the United States and the Comedy Channel and CTV in Canada.
Taylor was just 35 when this event took place. Garber, the hired actor is 63. Affleck btw is already 40.
Better was Producer Clooney's move to premiere this film in Canada at TIFF. A city whose 139-year plus pro football team is (continuously named) the Argos. C'mon.
Posted by: CQ | October 13, 2012 at 09:17 AM
Thanks for pointing out the age discrepancy between Taylor and Garber. That's hilarious. It also hit me other than Garber being Canadian that he worked with Affleck's wife (Jennifer Garner) on "Alias." And yes, debuting the film at TIFF with the title "Argo." So it's not about Pinball Clemons. :)
Posted by: Chad | October 13, 2012 at 05:59 PM