Screenplay data
In 1979, Iranian revolutionaries storm the United States Embassy in Tehran, taking American diplomats hostage, but six escape and find refuge at the Canadian Ambassador's residence. CIA exfiltration specialist Tony Mendez devises a daring plan to rescue the six by posing as a Hollywood producer scouting locations for a fake science fiction film called "Argo." Mendez travels to Tehran, meets the escapees, and despite their skepticism and the mission being officially cancelled by the White House, he convinces them to proceed with the dangerous plan. As Iranian authorities intensify their search for the missing Americans, Mendez and the six escapees face a tense confrontation at Mehrabad Airport, where they narrowly convince Komiteh guards of their film crew identities by presenting storyboards and fake production materials.
Save the Cat beat sheet
ARGO opens amid the Tehran embassy siege before shifting to Tony Mendez’s covert extraction mission.
Open full beat sheetTony Mendez is listed as CIA Exfiltration Specialist. 40-year-old CIA operative, calm, resourceful, divorced father. In the parsed data, Tony Mendez is connected to 99 scenes, 106 dialogue lines, 107 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
99 scenes / 106 dialogue linesJ Stafford is listed as Embassy Staffer. One of the six escapees, husband of Kathy. In the parsed data, J Stafford is connected to 24 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
24 scenes / 9 dialogue linesJack O'Donnell is listed as CIA Operations Officer. Mendez's handler at the CIA. In the parsed data, Jack O'Donnell is connected to 22 scenes, 48 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
22 scenes / 48 dialogue linesBob Anders is listed as Senior Consular Officer. One of the six escapees, oldest of the group. In the parsed data, Bob Anders is connected to 20 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
20 scenes / 11 dialogue linesKathy Stafford is listed as Embassy Staffer. One of the six escapees, wife of J Stafford. In the parsed data, Kathy Stafford is connected to 18 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 123.
18 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLester Siegel is listed as Hollywood Producer. Semi-legendary, cynical, veteran producer. In the parsed data, Lester Siegel is connected to 17 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 58.
17 scenes / 12 dialogue linesJohn Chambers is listed as Hollywood Makeup Artist. Oscar-winning makeup artist, CIA contractor. In the parsed data, John Chambers is connected to 15 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 93.
15 scenes / 6 dialogue linesKen Taylor is listed as Canadian Ambassador. Canadian Ambassador to Iran, sheltering the six escapees. In the parsed data, Ken Taylor is connected to 14 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 60.
14 scenes / 9 dialogue linesCora Lijek is listed as Consular Assistant. One of the six escapees, wife of Mark Lijek. In the parsed data, Cora Lijek is connected to 14 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
14 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMark Lijek is listed as Consular Officer. One of the six escapees. In the parsed data, Mark Lijek is connected to 13 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
13 scenes / 6 dialogue linesLee Schatz is listed as Agricultural Attache. One of the six escapees. In the parsed data, Lee Schatz is connected to 11 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 123.
11 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAdam Engell is listed as Deputy Chief of Operations. CIA official skeptical of the Argo plan. In the parsed data, Adam Engell is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesHamilton Jordan is listed as White House Chief of Staff. Carter's Chief of Staff. In the parsed data, Hamilton Jordan is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 50.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesProtestors gather outside the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, chanting and burning effigies.
The embassy compound is shown with security measures in place.
Bob Anders and Mark Lijek observe the protest from inside the consulate.
Bob Anders, Mark LijekA protestor climbs the gate, breaching the embassy perimeter.
Sgt. Sickmann reports the breach over the radio.
Protestors cut the gate chains and swarm the embassy.
Sgt. Sickmann observes the protestors climbing the walls.
Protestors flood through the open gate.
Ann Swift reports the chaos to D.C. as the embassy is overrun.
Mark Lijek and Bob Anders discuss the security of the consulate windows.
Mark Lijek, Bob AndersAl Golacinski coordinates the defense of the embassy.
Protestors attack the Chancery building.
Bob Anders calls for police assistance.
Bob AndersSecurity monitors go black as the embassy is breached.
An Iranian police captain watches the protest.
Al Golacinski instructs the Marines on protocol.
Protestors surround the consulate building.
Al Golacinski restricts the use of tear gas.
Marines deploy tear gas despite orders.
Lee Schatz joins the group in the consulate.
Lee Schatz, J Stafford, Mark LijekAl Golacinski decides to go outside to reason with the mob.
Staffers destroy documents.
Al Golacinski is captured by protestors.
Cora Lijek calls for help.
Cora Lijek, J StaffordStaffers head to the vault to destroy classified material.
Al Golacinski begs to be let back into the Chancery.
Ann Swift reports the breach.
Protestors attempt to break into the consulate through the roof.
The embassy grounds are swarmed by protestors.
The power is cut in the embassy.
Staffers struggle to destroy documents as the furnace fails.
Student leaders enter the building.
Ann Swift reports the situation.
Bob Anders destroys visa plates.
Bob Anders, Mark LijekThe group prepares to leave.
Bob AndersStudents confront embassy employees.
The group escapes the consulate.
Mark Lijek, Cora Lijek, J Stafford, Kathy Stafford, Bob AndersAnn Swift reports the embassy has been taken.
The group walks away from the embassy.
Bob AndersState Department officials react to the embassy siege.
Secretary Vance is briefed on the six escapees.
Hamilton Jordan discusses the crisis.
Jordan decides to leave the six where they are.
Tony Mendez receives a call.
Tony MendezMendez presents the Argo film crew cover plan to Pender and Engell.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'Donnell, Hamilton Jordan, Adam EngellThe six houseguests have dinner with the Taylors; tension rises as a helicopter is heard.
Ken Taylor, Mark Lijek, Cora Lijek, Bob Anders, Lee Schatz, J StaffordMendez arrives at the CIA.
Tony MendezMendez watches news of the hostages and calls his son.
Tony MendezMendez watches 'Battle for Planet of the Apes' and gets an idea.
Tony MendezJohn Chambers works on a film set.
John ChambersMendez asks Chambers for help creating a fake movie.
Tony Mendez, John ChambersO'Donnell and Mendez discuss the urgency of the situation.
Jack O'Donnell, Tony MendezO'Donnell briefs Mendez on the six escapees.
Jack O'Donnell, Tony MendezMendez and Chambers try to recruit Lester Siegel.
Tony Mendez, John Chambers, Lester SiegelO'Donnell tells Mendez he is needed as a consultant.
Jack O'Donnell, Tony MendezSiegel and Mendez secure the script for 'Argo'.
Tony Mendez, Lester SiegelMendez critiques the proposed exfiltration plans.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'Donnell, Adam EngellMendez and Siegel discuss their personal lives and children while eating.
Tony Mendez, Lester SiegelMendez and Siegel continue their conversation at a picnic table.
Tony Mendez, Lester SiegelChambers and a graphic artist walk through the set.
John ChambersO'Donnell reads an intelligence report about the Shah's security chief.
Jack O'DonnellMendez reviews the Argo poster and discusses the timeline with O'Donnell.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'DonnellMendez, Siegel, and Chambers review their materials.
Tony Mendez, John Chambers, Lester SiegelThe office is chaotic as they prepare for the press event.
Tony Mendez, John Chambers, Lester SiegelThe team arrives for the press event.
Tony Mendez, John Chambers, Lester SiegelThe press event for Argo takes place.
Tony Mendez, John Chambers, Lester SiegelO'Donnell watches news footage of Tehran.
Jack O'DonnellThe six escapees are sheltering in the residence.
Ken Taylor, Mark Lijek, Cora Lijek, Bob Anders, Lee Schatz, J StaffordHostages are subjected to a mock execution.
Mendez rests in his hotel room.
Tony MendezO'Donnell is confronted about the press coverage.
Jack O'Donnell, Adam EngellMendez and O'Donnell discuss the fallout.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'DonnellMendez packs his things to leave.
Tony Mendez, John Chambers, Lester SiegelMendez arrives at the State Department.
Tony MendezMendez meets O'Donnell.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'DonnellMendez and O'Donnell meet with Turner and Vance.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'DonnellMendez prepares for his mission.
Tony MendezO'Donnell drives Mendez to the airport.
Tony Mendez, Jack O'DonnellSiegel and Chambers wait for word.
John Chambers, Lester SiegelMendez prepares to depart.
Tony MendezIf these people can read OR add, any minute they're gonna figure out they're six short of a full deck. It's winter. You wanna wait around for a nice spring day for bike rides? The only way out's through the airport. You build them new identities, a Moses gs in, takes them out on a commercial flight.
I see. The exotic Orient. Snake charmers and flying carpets. You come to us at a complicated time. Before the Revolution, 40 percent of the movie theaters in Tehran were showing pornography. Our function is purification as well as promotion of the arts. I'll review for the Minister.
The Times and A.P. found out they're with the Canadians. Somebody in one of the families talked. I just put Vance on a plane to take the editors to Le Cirque. He thinks he can get them to sit on it. For now. Your guy better get them and get the hell out.
Do you know that every day they catch another friend of the shah at the airport. Kangaroo trials then firing squads. Just for having American names in their phone books. You've been here an hour and you're asking us to trust you with our lives, Mr. --
Just a matter of time. We've got Revolutionary Guards going door-to-door like Jehovah's Witnesses, looking for escapees. They're out for blood, Tony. Half of them think Khomeini's been too lenient with the ones in the embassy.
Just a matter of time. We've got Revolutionary Guards going door-to-door like Jehovah's Witnesses, looking for escapees. They're out for blood, Tony. Half of them think Khomeini's been too lenient with the ones in the embassy.
Just a matter of time. We've got Revolutionary Guards going door-to-door like Jehovah's Witnesses, looking for escapees. They're out for blood, Tony. Half of them think Khomeini's been too lenient with the ones in the embassy.
No. Just the pricks on our side. So all our other pricks on their prick thrones know, when they get run out on a rail, they won't be getting their spleens out by a camel vet in the Sinai.
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