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(people yelling)
(dramatic music)
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00:00:05,697 --> 00:00:10,542
(people yelling in
foreign language)
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00:00:10,553 --> 00:00:12,169
Lewis: In the world of spies,
4
00:00:12,245 --> 00:00:14,805
A cover story and an
alias must be watertight.
5
00:00:16,416 --> 00:00:18,809
This requires more than
just convincing paperwork.
6
00:00:20,212 --> 00:00:22,062
It's how you look, what you say,
7
00:00:23,399 --> 00:00:25,015
The way you act,
8
00:00:25,092 --> 00:00:29,069
And it means staying in
character no matter what.
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00:00:32,891 --> 00:00:34,408
This is the
remarkable story
10
00:00:34,485 --> 00:00:37,402
Of how one man used
inspiration from hollywood
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00:00:37,413 --> 00:00:40,238
To school six
frightened diplomats
12
00:00:40,249 --> 00:00:43,200
In the art of
being someone else,
13
00:00:43,276 --> 00:00:45,586
And score a victory for the cia,
14
00:00:45,662 --> 00:00:49,048
In one of the darkest moments
for american foreign policy.
15
00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,917
(dramatic music)
(people cheering)
16
00:00:51,927 --> 00:00:54,044
(gun fires)
17
00:00:54,121 --> 00:00:58,098
(crowd shouting in
foreign language)
18
00:00:58,175 --> 00:01:00,893
(dramatic music)
19
00:01:25,294 --> 00:01:28,796
(gentle dramatic music)
20
00:01:41,793 --> 00:01:46,146
(crowd chanting in
foreign language)
21
00:01:49,134 --> 00:01:52,227
Lewis: Iran was in the grip
of an islamic revolution.
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00:01:52,304 --> 00:01:56,824
(people chanting in
foreign language)
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00:01:59,186 --> 00:02:01,820
Led by the shia cleric
ayatollah khomeini,
24
00:02:01,831 --> 00:02:03,831
Anti-american
demonstrators had taken
25
00:02:03,907 --> 00:02:06,166
To the streets in
their thousands.
26
00:02:06,243 --> 00:02:11,255
(dramatic music)
(crowd shouting)
27
00:02:14,326 --> 00:02:17,627
Amid the chaos cia
officer, tony mendez,
28
00:02:17,704 --> 00:02:19,805
Entered tehran on
a covert mission.
29
00:02:22,926 --> 00:02:27,137
His task: To rescue a group
of six american diplomats
30
00:02:27,214 --> 00:02:29,064
From almost certain death.
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00:02:36,940 --> 00:02:37,906
Among the group
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00:02:39,351 --> 00:02:42,369
Were u.S. Embassy officials
mark and cora lijek.
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00:02:44,022 --> 00:02:46,874
(gentle music)
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00:02:46,950 --> 00:02:48,283
Four decades on,
35
00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,285
The lijeks lead quiet lives
36
00:02:50,362 --> 00:02:52,504
In a quiet corner
of washington state.
37
00:02:53,957 --> 00:02:56,884
But back in the summer of 1979,
38
00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,845
This young married couple
were looking for adventure.
39
00:03:01,539 --> 00:03:03,724
M. Lijek: I had completed my
four years in the army
40
00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,509
And went to work for
the foreign service.
41
00:03:06,586 --> 00:03:09,554
I was asked to volunteer
to go to tehran.
42
00:03:09,565 --> 00:03:13,141
I agreed to help reopen
the tourist visa unit.
43
00:03:13,218 --> 00:03:14,893
C. Lijek: I actually was very
excited about it.
44
00:03:14,904 --> 00:03:17,646
My parents had lived
there for four years,
45
00:03:17,722 --> 00:03:19,448
And I'd visited twice before.
46
00:03:20,409 --> 00:03:23,360
Tehran was very cosmopolitan.
47
00:03:23,436 --> 00:03:26,321
Most of the women I saw were
dressed in western clothing,
48
00:03:26,398 --> 00:03:28,999
So it seemed like it'd
be a fun place to go.
49
00:03:30,327 --> 00:03:31,660
Lewis: But the
lijeks touched down
50
00:03:31,736 --> 00:03:33,370
To an iran in turmoil.
51
00:03:33,446 --> 00:03:38,425
(crowd chanting angrily)
(dramatic music)
52
00:03:39,577 --> 00:03:43,764
M. Lijek: Well, I arrived after
a very long and arduous flight.
53
00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,091
The airport was chaotic.
54
00:03:46,101 --> 00:03:49,436
Things were unstable and
people were not calm.
55
00:03:49,513 --> 00:03:51,513
(crowd chanting)
56
00:03:51,589 --> 00:03:53,682
I was met by somebody
from the embassy,
57
00:03:53,758 --> 00:03:56,351
So that kind of got me
past the worst of it.
58
00:03:56,428 --> 00:03:58,278
But then we got in the van,
59
00:03:58,355 --> 00:03:59,947
And I noticed that the driver
60
00:04:00,023 --> 00:04:04,117
Just drove through all
the red lights. (laughs)
61
00:04:04,194 --> 00:04:05,735
Washington d.C. Had no idea
62
00:04:05,812 --> 00:04:07,704
What was actually
happening in tehran.
63
00:04:09,124 --> 00:04:11,533
Lewis: In January 1979,
64
00:04:11,609 --> 00:04:14,869
U.S. Ally shah
mohammed reza pahlavi
65
00:04:14,946 --> 00:04:17,839
Had been ousted from power
by the ayatollah khomeini.
66
00:04:19,209 --> 00:04:21,042
(crowd shouting)
(tense music)
67
00:04:21,119 --> 00:04:24,296
The white house was now
friendless in the region,
68
00:04:24,306 --> 00:04:26,047
And completely in the dark
69
00:04:26,124 --> 00:04:27,975
About the actions
of the new regime.
70
00:04:29,836 --> 00:04:32,646
U.S. President jimmy
carter and the cia
71
00:04:32,723 --> 00:04:35,315
Had been slow to react
to the escalating crisis.
72
00:04:38,487 --> 00:04:40,061
Daugherty: The cia
station in tehran
73
00:04:40,138 --> 00:04:41,813
At the time was minuscule,
74
00:04:41,824 --> 00:04:46,743
With just one person basically
keeping the store open
75
00:04:47,388 --> 00:04:49,654
Lewis: Bill daugherty
arrived at the american embassy
76
00:04:49,665 --> 00:04:53,950
In tehran in the immediate
aftermath of the shah's ousting.
77
00:04:54,027 --> 00:04:56,119
He was fresh out of cia training
78
00:04:56,196 --> 00:04:57,838
And thrown in at the deep end.
79
00:04:57,914 --> 00:04:59,789
(coworkers chatting)
80
00:04:59,866 --> 00:05:02,834
Daugherty: It was my first
overseas assignment.
81
00:05:02,845 --> 00:05:05,628
I didn't know anything
about the country.
82
00:05:05,705 --> 00:05:07,514
I didn't speak the language.
83
00:05:07,591 --> 00:05:09,182
I didn't know anything
about their culture.
84
00:05:09,259 --> 00:05:11,351
I knew nothing about islam.
85
00:05:13,004 --> 00:05:14,679
Lewis: Bill daugherty's
mission was to buildup
86
00:05:14,690 --> 00:05:17,983
A cia station that was
operating with a skeleton crew.
87
00:05:20,178 --> 00:05:21,686
He faced an uphill struggle
88
00:05:21,697 --> 00:05:24,147
To cultivate potential
agents and informants.
89
00:05:24,224 --> 00:05:26,483
(coworkers chatting)
(dramatic music)
90
00:05:26,559 --> 00:05:29,527
Daugherty: For an iranian to be
seen with an american
91
00:05:29,538 --> 00:05:32,331
Was not particularly
appropriate.
92
00:05:33,267 --> 00:05:34,699
That individual could go back
93
00:05:34,710 --> 00:05:37,210
And be called a spy
and could lose his job
94
00:05:37,287 --> 00:05:40,372
Or even be arrested or worse
95
00:05:40,382 --> 00:05:43,717
Just for being with an
american government official.
96
00:05:43,794 --> 00:05:45,293
(dramatic music)
97
00:05:45,370 --> 00:05:49,014
The real concern I had
was not making a mistake
98
00:05:50,634 --> 00:05:52,225
And getting caught.
99
00:05:52,302 --> 00:05:54,135
There could have been
enormous consequences
100
00:05:54,212 --> 00:05:57,230
For being caught
doing espionage work.
101
00:05:57,307 --> 00:06:00,025
(dramatic music)
102
00:06:04,815 --> 00:06:07,023
Lewis: The american
embassy in tehran
103
00:06:07,100 --> 00:06:09,242
Was a maze of buildings
in a vast walled
104
00:06:09,319 --> 00:06:11,244
Compound in the
heart of the city.
105
00:06:13,082 --> 00:06:15,415
On the second floor
of the main building
106
00:06:15,492 --> 00:06:16,917
Was the cia station.
107
00:06:17,902 --> 00:06:20,754
Daugherty: I was in my office
writing cables
108
00:06:20,831 --> 00:06:23,581
From what I'd done
the night before.
109
00:06:23,592 --> 00:06:24,707
The demonstration was outside,
110
00:06:24,784 --> 00:06:26,343
And it was larger than usual.
111
00:06:28,580 --> 00:06:30,547
But I was ignoring it.
112
00:06:30,623 --> 00:06:32,432
(woman shouting in
foreign language)
113
00:06:32,509 --> 00:06:34,768
I was told by people
who had been there,
114
00:06:35,679 --> 00:06:37,095
"don't worry about
the demonstrations.
115
00:06:37,106 --> 00:06:40,107
"they happen all the
time," and so I didn't.
116
00:06:41,852 --> 00:06:44,611
(crowd shouting)
117
00:06:45,856 --> 00:06:49,116
Lewis: That morning no one
inside the american embassy
118
00:06:49,192 --> 00:06:52,944
Noticed the demonstration
outside was near boiling point.
119
00:06:52,955 --> 00:06:56,281
(crowd shouting)
120
00:06:56,291 --> 00:06:57,407
Hundreds of students
were heading
121
00:06:57,484 --> 00:06:58,875
Towards the embassy building.
122
00:06:59,986 --> 00:07:02,712
(crowd shouting)
123
00:07:04,491 --> 00:07:06,508
Daugherty: These seemed
to be young people.
124
00:07:07,711 --> 00:07:09,136
We didn't see any weapons.
125
00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:13,465
There was concern,
126
00:07:13,475 --> 00:07:16,726
But the embassy was
supposed to be a fortress.
127
00:07:17,888 --> 00:07:20,147
Lewis: On the other side
of the embassy compound,
128
00:07:20,223 --> 00:07:22,149
Mark and cora lijek
were oblivious
129
00:07:22,225 --> 00:07:24,225
To the imminent danger.
130
00:07:24,302 --> 00:07:27,612
(gentle dramatic music)
131
00:07:32,185 --> 00:07:35,036
(machine whirring)
132
00:07:37,482 --> 00:07:40,575
C. Lijek: We both were
working in the visa section.
133
00:07:40,652 --> 00:07:41,910
M. Lijek: Yeah, okay.
134
00:07:41,986 --> 00:07:43,661
Our building
was not near the front,
135
00:07:43,672 --> 00:07:45,547
So maybe we didn't
hear some of it.
136
00:07:46,567 --> 00:07:47,749
C. Lijek: We couldn't see
what was going on.
137
00:07:47,825 --> 00:07:49,676
We were quite a distance away.
138
00:07:50,995 --> 00:07:52,962
(dramatic music)
139
00:07:53,039 --> 00:07:55,131
Lewis: But by now
the students had begun
140
00:07:55,208 --> 00:07:57,893
To scale the embassy
main gate and walls.
141
00:07:59,354 --> 00:08:01,012
To avoid a bloodbath,
142
00:08:01,023 --> 00:08:02,597
Washington ordered
the u.S. Marines
143
00:08:02,674 --> 00:08:05,275
Guarding the compound
to hold their fire.
144
00:08:07,011 --> 00:08:08,978
Daugherty: We had been told
time and time again
145
00:08:09,055 --> 00:08:11,481
That the embassy was
a secure facility.
146
00:08:11,558 --> 00:08:14,367
Even if the iranians
came over the wall
147
00:08:14,444 --> 00:08:16,653
And tried to attack the embassy,
148
00:08:16,729 --> 00:08:19,113
It was virtually impregnable.
149
00:08:19,190 --> 00:08:22,042
I think it took them about
30 minutes to break into it.
150
00:08:22,118 --> 00:08:23,952
(crowd shouting)
151
00:08:24,028 --> 00:08:28,507
The chief of station then told
me to destroy the documents
152
00:08:28,959 --> 00:08:32,794
That were in the
vault in my office.
153
00:08:32,870 --> 00:08:34,128
(dramatic music)
(crowd shouting)
154
00:08:34,205 --> 00:08:36,047
Lewis: By 10.30 a.M.,
155
00:08:36,058 --> 00:08:37,715
As daugherty began
to shred anything
156
00:08:37,726 --> 00:08:41,135
That could expose the nature
of his work for the cia,
157
00:08:41,212 --> 00:08:42,804
A group of angry students broke
158
00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:44,731
Into the main embassy building.
159
00:08:44,808 --> 00:08:47,817
(suspenseful music)
160
00:08:48,795 --> 00:08:50,853
They seized everyone
they could find
161
00:08:50,930 --> 00:08:53,240
To be paraded before
the baying mob.
162
00:08:55,560 --> 00:08:59,028
The iranian hostage
crisis had begun.
163
00:08:59,105 --> 00:09:00,530
(crowd chanting angrily)
164
00:09:00,607 --> 00:09:03,366
(dramatic music)
165
00:09:03,443 --> 00:09:05,085
Daugherty: They came in
and they started
166
00:09:05,161 --> 00:09:07,045
Blind folding and tying hands.
167
00:09:08,832 --> 00:09:11,091
One of the first ones
that they took away
168
00:09:11,167 --> 00:09:13,051
Was one of the marine
security guards,
169
00:09:14,746 --> 00:09:16,337
And I'll never forget
the look on his face
170
00:09:16,414 --> 00:09:17,589
Because he didn't
wanna surrender.
171
00:09:17,599 --> 00:09:19,173
He wanted to fight.
172
00:09:19,250 --> 00:09:20,592
(dramatic music)
173
00:09:20,602 --> 00:09:22,343
(crowd shouting)
174
00:09:22,420 --> 00:09:24,262
M. Lijek: Somebody claimed
they smelt smoke,
175
00:09:24,273 --> 00:09:26,606
And that they were gonna
burn the building down.
176
00:09:26,683 --> 00:09:28,016
(suspenseful music)
177
00:09:28,092 --> 00:09:29,392
(crowd shouting)
178
00:09:29,469 --> 00:09:31,185
(glass shattering)
179
00:09:31,262 --> 00:09:33,947
People started saying they
heard footsteps on the roof.
180
00:09:34,024 --> 00:09:35,690
(dramatic music)
181
00:09:35,767 --> 00:09:37,117
Lewis: The visa office
was one of the few buildings
182
00:09:37,193 --> 00:09:40,528
In the compound with its
own exit to the street.
183
00:09:40,605 --> 00:09:44,032
M. Lijek: It was kind of
a decision point.
184
00:09:44,108 --> 00:09:45,116
Man: We should leave
the building.
185
00:09:45,127 --> 00:09:46,909
Everybody, come on let's go.
186
00:09:46,986 --> 00:09:50,130
Lewis: In all, 13 embassy
workers made a break for it.
187
00:09:51,824 --> 00:09:54,542
But, in the confusion they
were forced to split up.
188
00:09:54,619 --> 00:09:56,294
(suspenseful music)
189
00:09:56,305 --> 00:09:58,129
M. Lijek: We were all
supposed to go left.
190
00:09:58,140 --> 00:09:59,973
Nobody was supposed to go right.
191
00:10:02,168 --> 00:10:03,926
Lewis: Those
who turned right
192
00:10:04,003 --> 00:10:06,896
Fell into the hands of the
iranian revolutionary guards.
193
00:10:08,299 --> 00:10:09,390
M. Lijek: We went the other way.
194
00:10:09,467 --> 00:10:10,600
We went left.
195
00:10:10,677 --> 00:10:12,101
We went toward the british,
196
00:10:12,178 --> 00:10:13,820
Which was what we
were supposed to do.
197
00:10:13,897 --> 00:10:15,647
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
198
00:10:15,657 --> 00:10:17,273
Lewis: The safety
of the british embassy
199
00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,075
Was just over a mile away.
200
00:10:20,495 --> 00:10:22,403
But the lijek's escape route
201
00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:24,664
Was blocked by
angry demonstrators.
202
00:10:24,741 --> 00:10:26,666
(crowd shouting)
(gun fires)
203
00:10:26,743 --> 00:10:29,118
M. Lijek: The situation was
descending into chaos.
204
00:10:29,195 --> 00:10:31,338
They were now attacking
other embassies.
205
00:10:31,414 --> 00:10:35,124
It was clear that this thing
was getting pretty nasty.
206
00:10:35,201 --> 00:10:36,751
(dramatic music)
(crowd shouting)
207
00:10:36,828 --> 00:10:39,337
Lewis: Alone on the streets
of a hostile city
208
00:10:39,348 --> 00:10:41,464
And with no specialist training,
209
00:10:41,541 --> 00:10:44,851
The fugitive diplomats faced
capture and even death.
210
00:10:46,521 --> 00:10:49,314
Help would come from the
most unlikely of sources.
211
00:10:50,083 --> 00:10:51,349
(dramatic music)
(crowd shouting)
212
00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,601
Lewis: In November 1979,
213
00:10:53,678 --> 00:10:56,813
In the wake of the fall of
the u.S. Embassy in tehran,
214
00:10:56,889 --> 00:10:59,148
53 americans had
been taken hostage
215
00:10:59,225 --> 00:11:00,867
By islamic revolutionaries.
216
00:11:01,778 --> 00:11:04,704
The ayatollah refused to
negotiate with president carter,
217
00:11:05,690 --> 00:11:07,490
And he ordered his
men to interrogate
218
00:11:07,567 --> 00:11:11,586
All the american prisoners
to root out cia spies.
219
00:11:12,547 --> 00:11:13,663
(man speaks in foreign language)
220
00:11:13,740 --> 00:11:16,207
Woman: Here was not an embassy.
221
00:11:16,218 --> 00:11:17,801
It was a cia center.
222
00:11:18,795 --> 00:11:20,887
This was a den of espionage
223
00:11:20,964 --> 00:11:25,174
Where they were plotting
against the iranian people.
224
00:11:25,251 --> 00:11:27,135
(dramatic music)
225
00:11:27,211 --> 00:11:29,554
Lewis: Cia
officer bill daugherty
226
00:11:29,564 --> 00:11:33,182
Was now one of the hostages
in the american embassy.
227
00:11:33,259 --> 00:11:35,518
(bill grunting)
228
00:11:35,595 --> 00:11:38,354
Daugherty: I was taken
back to my office
229
00:11:38,431 --> 00:11:40,115
Still blind folded, still tied.
230
00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:46,529
(dramatic music)
(metal clanking)
231
00:11:46,606 --> 00:11:48,573
I could hear them
breaking into safes
232
00:11:48,583 --> 00:11:51,418
All up and down the corridor,
233
00:11:51,494 --> 00:11:53,494
Basically looting the embassy.
234
00:11:53,571 --> 00:11:57,132
(crowd shouting distantly)
235
00:12:04,081 --> 00:12:05,432
There was a, not a student,
236
00:12:05,508 --> 00:12:07,225
But a professional interrogator.
237
00:12:09,128 --> 00:12:12,555
Lewis: Convinced of a cia
plot to crush the revolution,
238
00:12:12,632 --> 00:12:15,433
The ayatollah had sent
in his top interrogator
239
00:12:15,444 --> 00:12:17,485
To break the will
of the americans.
240
00:12:21,265 --> 00:12:23,399
Daugherty: My strategy
was what had been
241
00:12:23,476 --> 00:12:28,621
Thoroughly indoctrinated
into me during my training.
242
00:12:28,698 --> 00:12:32,116
I had a cover story to
explain why I was in iran
243
00:12:32,127 --> 00:12:34,786
And what my job
in the embassy was
244
00:12:34,796 --> 00:12:37,288
As a political military
affairs officer.
245
00:12:37,299 --> 00:12:38,414
Most of it was true.
246
00:12:38,491 --> 00:12:39,966
I didn't have to embellish it.
247
00:12:40,043 --> 00:12:41,125
(dramatic music)
248
00:12:41,136 --> 00:12:43,127
(crowd shouts distantly)
249
00:12:43,138 --> 00:12:45,046
We would start after dinner,
250
00:12:45,122 --> 00:12:50,059
And we would go till
sunrise, so 12, 13 hours,
251
00:12:50,704 --> 00:12:55,023
And they worked very hard
to break down my story.
252
00:12:57,176 --> 00:12:58,976
Lewis: On the
streets of tehran,
253
00:12:58,987 --> 00:13:02,313
U.S. Consular officials
mark and cora lijek,
254
00:13:02,324 --> 00:13:04,982
And their fellow escapees
from the embassy,
255
00:13:04,993 --> 00:13:06,776
Were in urgent
need of sanctuary.
256
00:13:06,853 --> 00:13:08,778
C. Lijek: It's kinda frightening
because we just worried
257
00:13:08,855 --> 00:13:10,404
Somebody would see us.
258
00:13:10,481 --> 00:13:12,657
There weren't that many
foreigners still in iran,
259
00:13:12,667 --> 00:13:14,325
And then I have dark hair.
260
00:13:14,336 --> 00:13:16,494
I probably would've
blended in a little better,
261
00:13:16,505 --> 00:13:19,380
But mark had kind of
dirty blonde hair.
262
00:13:20,583 --> 00:13:22,792
Lewis: In desperation,
the lijeks managed
263
00:13:22,869 --> 00:13:24,177
To make contact with america's
264
00:13:24,254 --> 00:13:26,513
Number two diplomat in the city,
265
00:13:26,589 --> 00:13:28,256
The deputy chief of the american
266
00:13:28,332 --> 00:13:31,133
Mission in tehran,
victor tomseth.
267
00:13:31,210 --> 00:13:32,260
(dramatic music)
268
00:13:32,336 --> 00:13:33,761
Tomseth had been across town
269
00:13:33,838 --> 00:13:35,763
At the iranian foreign ministry
270
00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:37,941
When the u.S. Embassy
had been overrun.
271
00:13:39,051 --> 00:13:40,601
M. Lijek: In those early days,
272
00:13:40,678 --> 00:13:43,145
The foreign ministry
people were still helpful,
273
00:13:43,222 --> 00:13:45,532
So he was allowed
to use the phone,
274
00:13:45,608 --> 00:13:47,108
And, he, for whatever reason,
275
00:13:47,184 --> 00:13:50,486
He kind of took
responsibility for helping us.
276
00:13:50,563 --> 00:13:52,113
Lewis: Tomseth knew
he would be monitored
277
00:13:52,189 --> 00:13:53,865
By iranian intelligence,
278
00:13:53,875 --> 00:13:56,200
So he decided to
call the one person
279
00:13:56,211 --> 00:13:58,369
With whom he could speak freely,
280
00:13:58,380 --> 00:14:00,880
(tense music)
281
00:14:00,957 --> 00:14:04,634
His friend, the embassy
chef, sam sriweawnetr.
282
00:14:06,537 --> 00:14:07,887
(dramatic music)
283
00:14:07,964 --> 00:14:09,347
Sriweawnetr: Victor, speak
thai to me,
284
00:14:10,283 --> 00:14:12,717
Because I think he
cannot speak english
285
00:14:12,727 --> 00:14:15,395
Over there because all
iranian could understand.
286
00:14:16,623 --> 00:14:19,807
Lewis: Tomseth had met sam
when he'd worked in thailand,
287
00:14:19,884 --> 00:14:21,684
And had given sam a job cooking
288
00:14:21,761 --> 00:14:23,528
For the embassy staff in tehran.
289
00:14:24,722 --> 00:14:26,856
Now he asked him
to risk his life
290
00:14:26,933 --> 00:14:29,191
To save the
diplomats on the run.
291
00:14:29,268 --> 00:14:30,526
Sriweawnetr: Victor tomseth
told me,
292
00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:32,236
"sam, I've got something new.
293
00:14:32,247 --> 00:14:33,696
"I need your help.
294
00:14:33,773 --> 00:14:35,081
"I need your help."
295
00:14:35,158 --> 00:14:37,491
I said, "yes,
anything, you tell me."
296
00:14:37,568 --> 00:14:41,370
He said, "now, sam listen
I got the americans.
297
00:14:41,447 --> 00:14:43,998
"can you help them
hide them someplace?"
298
00:14:44,075 --> 00:14:45,925
I said, "yes, yes,
I will do that."
299
00:14:46,002 --> 00:14:47,427
I think its human to help.
300
00:14:47,503 --> 00:14:49,095
That's what I think.
301
00:14:49,172 --> 00:14:51,264
Some people need help
you have to help them.
302
00:14:51,341 --> 00:14:53,090
(dramatic music)
303
00:14:53,101 --> 00:14:55,676
Lewis: Under the cover of
darkness, sam met the lijeks
304
00:14:55,753 --> 00:14:58,813
And guided them to a safe
house belonging to the embassy.
305
00:15:00,424 --> 00:15:03,351
M. Lijek: We ran into the house
trying not to be seen.
306
00:15:03,427 --> 00:15:04,777
Sriweawnetr: They are scared.
307
00:15:04,854 --> 00:15:07,563
I made the curtain
close all the time.
308
00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,106
C. Lijek: A lot of
our fears were
309
00:15:09,117 --> 00:15:11,776
Lessened because sam
was there.
310
00:15:11,786 --> 00:15:13,620
He was going to take care of us.
311
00:15:13,696 --> 00:15:15,112
M. Lijek: He could go
out publicly.
312
00:15:15,123 --> 00:15:16,447
He could buy food.
313
00:15:16,458 --> 00:15:17,957
He could buy
cigarettes whatever,
314
00:15:18,034 --> 00:15:21,169
So as long as we had
sam, we had a chance.
315
00:15:22,297 --> 00:15:23,963
Lewis: Yet, all the time,
316
00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:25,965
The threat of capture
was closing in.
317
00:15:27,118 --> 00:15:28,376
(ominous music)
318
00:15:28,452 --> 00:15:30,252
M. Lijek: We had the
"tehran times".
319
00:15:30,329 --> 00:15:33,714
They has pictures on the
front page of the paper.
320
00:15:33,791 --> 00:15:35,967
They were people in blindfolds.
321
00:15:35,977 --> 00:15:37,885
It was immensely
disturbing to me
322
00:15:37,962 --> 00:15:40,229
Because that could
be us down the road.
323
00:15:41,207 --> 00:15:43,650
I kept thinking,
where's our president?
324
00:15:43,726 --> 00:15:45,234
"what is our government doing?"
325
00:15:47,346 --> 00:15:49,897
Lewis: President carter's
plan was to enforce
326
00:15:49,974 --> 00:15:52,650
Both economic and
diplomatic pressure,
327
00:15:52,661 --> 00:15:55,745
To force the ayatollah to
release the american hostages.
328
00:15:57,332 --> 00:15:58,406
It didn't work.
329
00:15:58,482 --> 00:15:59,824
(dramatic music)
330
00:15:59,834 --> 00:16:02,118
And inside the ransacked embassy
331
00:16:02,194 --> 00:16:06,506
The interrogations of american
prisoners were intensifying.
332
00:16:06,582 --> 00:16:08,174
(dramatic music)
333
00:16:08,251 --> 00:16:11,844
Daugherty: He never got excited,
never raised his voice.
334
00:16:11,921 --> 00:16:13,346
The only reason I could tell
335
00:16:13,423 --> 00:16:15,297
That maybe he didn't
quite like an answer
336
00:16:15,374 --> 00:16:16,849
Or two that I might
have given him was that
337
00:16:16,926 --> 00:16:19,477
He would sort of play
with the revolver.
338
00:16:21,881 --> 00:16:24,732
Of course, you can hear those
cylinders go click, click.
339
00:16:26,010 --> 00:16:27,977
(gun clicking)
340
00:16:28,054 --> 00:16:32,323
I did not discount the
possibility of an execution,
341
00:16:33,276 --> 00:16:36,652
And I was certainly
prepared psychologically,
342
00:16:36,729 --> 00:16:38,029
Mentally for that.
343
00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:39,622
I thought about that every day.
344
00:16:46,072 --> 00:16:47,288
Lewis: Three days after
345
00:16:47,364 --> 00:16:49,331
The storming of
the u.S. Embassy,
346
00:16:49,408 --> 00:16:52,334
Secreted in their safe
house across town,
347
00:16:52,411 --> 00:16:54,220
The lijeks began to
realize there would be
348
00:16:54,297 --> 00:16:56,556
No swift solution
to their ordeal.
349
00:16:57,784 --> 00:17:01,677
M. Lijek: It was clear that this
thing was getting pretty nasty.
350
00:17:01,754 --> 00:17:04,897
There was no government any
longer for us to negotiate with
351
00:17:04,974 --> 00:17:07,066
Other than the
ayatollah personally.
352
00:17:07,143 --> 00:17:10,403
So clearly the situation
was descending into chaos,
353
00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:15,191
And that made our
predicament a lot worse.
354
00:17:15,267 --> 00:17:16,984
(dramatic music)
355
00:17:17,061 --> 00:17:20,821
It was pretty clear that our
absence would be detected.
356
00:17:20,898 --> 00:17:23,750
I mean it was impossible
for it not to be detected.
357
00:17:23,826 --> 00:17:25,868
It was only a matter
of for how long.
358
00:17:25,945 --> 00:17:27,411
(dramatic music)
359
00:17:27,422 --> 00:17:29,705
Lewis: By now iranian
revolutionary guards
360
00:17:29,782 --> 00:17:31,207
Were examining embassy records
361
00:17:31,283 --> 00:17:33,751
For evidence of u.S. Safe houses
362
00:17:33,762 --> 00:17:36,545
Where fugitive diplomats
could be hiding.
363
00:17:36,622 --> 00:17:41,008
Sam sriweawnetr sensed the
mounting tension on the streets.
364
00:17:41,085 --> 00:17:42,602
Sriweawnetr: When I go shopping
buy some food,
365
00:17:42,678 --> 00:17:45,679
A lot of thing I see are bad.
366
00:17:45,756 --> 00:17:47,264
C. Lijek: Sam actually
got worried
367
00:17:47,275 --> 00:17:49,058
And thought somebody
might be coming.
368
00:17:49,135 --> 00:17:52,019
That I think really
heightened our nervousness.
369
00:17:52,096 --> 00:17:54,614
His fear you know
was infectious.
370
00:17:54,690 --> 00:17:58,567
Sriweawnetr: I feel not safe for
them and not safe for me either.
371
00:17:58,644 --> 00:18:01,621
If they catch the five
americans, they're gonna die.
372
00:18:01,697 --> 00:18:04,290
If me, they catch
me, I'm gonna be die.
373
00:18:04,367 --> 00:18:08,452
We have to help them
out, get out of here.
374
00:18:08,463 --> 00:18:10,955
Lewis: So the lijeks turn
to the one western nation
375
00:18:10,965 --> 00:18:15,209
Whose embassy was not in the
ayatollah's crosshairs: Canada.
376
00:18:15,286 --> 00:18:18,304
(dramatic music)
377
00:18:18,381 --> 00:18:20,256
Zena sheradown's husband,
378
00:18:20,332 --> 00:18:22,642
Veteran diplomat john sheardown,
379
00:18:22,718 --> 00:18:25,261
Was the canadian's chief
immigration officer
380
00:18:25,337 --> 00:18:26,687
In tehran at the time.
381
00:18:27,631 --> 00:18:30,066
He was the lijeks
next port of call.
382
00:18:31,044 --> 00:18:32,434
Sheardown: My husband said,
"you are all welcome
383
00:18:32,511 --> 00:18:34,028
"to come and stay with us."
384
00:18:35,064 --> 00:18:37,815
All you're thinking is,
"are we gonna be able to
385
00:18:37,826 --> 00:18:41,652
"get them upstairs without
being spotted by the
386
00:18:41,663 --> 00:18:44,539
"revolutionary guards who
are up and down the street?"
387
00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:49,410
M. Lijek: When we left I think
sam took it almost as an insult,
388
00:18:49,486 --> 00:18:50,911
Because we couldn't tell
him where we were going
389
00:18:50,988 --> 00:18:53,914
For his protection
as well as ours.
390
00:18:53,991 --> 00:18:56,634
Lewis: The lijeks made
it out in the nick of time.
391
00:18:58,847 --> 00:19:01,180
Sriweawnetr: All the militants
come two hours after that.
392
00:19:01,257 --> 00:19:03,132
They come to my apartment,
393
00:19:03,209 --> 00:19:05,017
"where's the american,
where's the american?"
394
00:19:05,094 --> 00:19:07,136
(suspenseful music)
395
00:19:07,213 --> 00:19:09,522
With a gun pointed to me.
396
00:19:09,599 --> 00:19:11,732
M16 points in my face.
397
00:19:14,103 --> 00:19:16,312
Then I say, "no, I
live here by myself.
398
00:19:16,388 --> 00:19:19,106
"nobody here," I tell them that.
399
00:19:19,183 --> 00:19:21,534
(dramatic music)
400
00:19:21,611 --> 00:19:24,579
They keep looking around,
but I clean up already.
401
00:19:25,689 --> 00:19:26,998
After that, they left.
402
00:19:29,878 --> 00:19:31,544
(gentle dramatic music)
403
00:19:31,621 --> 00:19:33,621
Lewis: By now the ljieks and
their fellow fugitives
404
00:19:33,697 --> 00:19:36,215
Had been smuggled from
their embassy safe house
405
00:19:36,292 --> 00:19:38,050
And driven to the
sheardown's home.
406
00:19:40,537 --> 00:19:43,214
C. Lijek: The car I remember
pulled into the garage,
407
00:19:43,224 --> 00:19:46,142
And then he rushed
us inside the house.
408
00:19:49,138 --> 00:19:50,971
Sheardown: We got some
scotches and sodas
409
00:19:51,048 --> 00:19:53,566
Right away for everybody.
410
00:19:53,643 --> 00:19:55,610
We all needed a stiff drink,
411
00:19:57,071 --> 00:19:59,563
And we started to get
to know each other.
412
00:19:59,574 --> 00:20:02,742
(dramatic music)
413
00:20:02,818 --> 00:20:04,577
Lewis: The sherdowns
figured they had
414
00:20:04,654 --> 00:20:07,205
The perfect cover to keep
the americans diplomats safe.
415
00:20:09,275 --> 00:20:11,250
Sheardown: I don't think they
would suspect us.
416
00:20:11,327 --> 00:20:14,587
Not the canadians they
keep to themselves.
417
00:20:14,664 --> 00:20:16,464
They wouldn't say
boo to a goose.
418
00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,084
Lewis: They sent
word back to ottawa,
419
00:20:20,094 --> 00:20:23,012
That the fugitive diplomats
had arrived safely with them.
420
00:20:27,176 --> 00:20:31,229
Gar pardy was cia liaison for
the canadian foreign office.
421
00:20:32,332 --> 00:20:34,848
Pardy: The first reaction was,
"god, we've got them,
422
00:20:34,925 --> 00:20:37,101
"and at least they're
reasonably safe."
423
00:20:37,111 --> 00:20:38,435
(dramatic music)
424
00:20:38,446 --> 00:20:40,771
But then the realization that
425
00:20:40,782 --> 00:20:43,783
This could go on for
some period of time.
426
00:20:43,859 --> 00:20:46,235
Lewis: It dawned on
the canadian officials,
427
00:20:46,312 --> 00:20:48,955
The longer they hid their
american colleagues,
428
00:20:49,031 --> 00:20:51,448
The greater the chance of
canada becoming embroiled
429
00:20:51,459 --> 00:20:53,584
In the wider conflict
in the region.
430
00:20:54,854 --> 00:20:57,129
Pardy: The iranians themselves
were probably starting
431
00:20:57,206 --> 00:20:58,872
To realize that there
were some people
432
00:20:58,949 --> 00:21:02,042
That were not accounted
for in the 52,
433
00:21:02,119 --> 00:21:03,970
And they would be
starting to sharpen
434
00:21:04,046 --> 00:21:06,422
Their own investigation,
if you like,
435
00:21:06,498 --> 00:21:08,057
Their own looking for the six.
436
00:21:09,035 --> 00:21:10,893
And then what do you
do at this point?
437
00:21:12,838 --> 00:21:14,471
Lewis: At the
american embassy,
438
00:21:14,482 --> 00:21:16,724
Bill daugherty was under
increasing pressure
439
00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,609
To give up key documents.
440
00:21:20,822 --> 00:21:23,105
(suspenseful music)
441
00:21:23,182 --> 00:21:24,606
Daugherty: I got a lot of
questions as to why
442
00:21:24,683 --> 00:21:28,035
I was in this office
with this big vault.
443
00:21:29,813 --> 00:21:30,821
Lewis: The vault contained
444
00:21:30,832 --> 00:21:33,115
All the cia intelligence reports
445
00:21:33,192 --> 00:21:36,452
Bill had been working on when
the embassy had fallen,
446
00:21:36,528 --> 00:21:39,171
Names, dates, and places.
447
00:21:39,248 --> 00:21:41,332
Daugherty: I kept telling them,
"no, I can't open the vault."
448
00:21:41,342 --> 00:21:43,509
(dramatic music)
449
00:21:43,586 --> 00:21:45,344
Lewis: Daugherty now
believed the iranians
450
00:21:45,421 --> 00:21:49,131
Were unlikely to execute him
until he'd opened the safe.
451
00:21:49,208 --> 00:21:50,674
(suspenseful music)
452
00:21:50,685 --> 00:21:52,343
Frustrated by how long he had
453
00:21:52,353 --> 00:21:54,520
Withstood brutal interrogation,
454
00:21:54,597 --> 00:21:57,097
The revolutionaries
now upped the ante.
455
00:21:57,174 --> 00:22:00,851
Daugherty: I wasn't necessarily
under the belief
456
00:22:00,862 --> 00:22:04,363
That they would actually
execute me right away.
457
00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:06,440
But then they said, "well,
we'll get the secretary
458
00:22:06,517 --> 00:22:07,941
"and bring her up here,"
459
00:22:08,018 --> 00:22:10,361
And that's when there
was decision time.
460
00:22:10,371 --> 00:22:11,871
(ominous music)
461
00:22:11,947 --> 00:22:13,873
Lewis: If he refused
to open the safe now,
462
00:22:13,949 --> 00:22:17,001
The iranians made it clear they
would execute his secretary.
463
00:22:19,238 --> 00:22:20,329
Daugherty: Look there
was nothing
464
00:22:20,406 --> 00:22:24,833
In that embassy
worth dying for.
465
00:22:24,910 --> 00:22:26,126
Not a thing.
466
00:22:26,203 --> 00:22:27,836
(suspenseful music)
467
00:22:27,913 --> 00:22:31,140
I said, "okay, the
combination's in my wallet."
468
00:22:37,089 --> 00:22:38,680
I'd shredded all the documents.
469
00:22:38,757 --> 00:22:40,474
(suspenseful music)
470
00:22:40,551 --> 00:22:42,693
I thought, "oh, I'm
really in trouble now."
471
00:22:45,556 --> 00:22:47,564
Lewis: Undeterred,
the revolutionaries
472
00:22:47,575 --> 00:22:49,408
Brought in
teams of carpet
473
00:22:49,485 --> 00:22:53,195
Weavers to piece together
the fragments of paperwork.
474
00:22:53,272 --> 00:22:56,365
(dramatic music)
475
00:22:56,442 --> 00:22:58,242
Lewis: It was only a matter of
time before they'd work out
476
00:22:58,252 --> 00:22:59,418
That bill was cia.
477
00:23:00,404 --> 00:23:01,995
But that wasn't the
only information
478
00:23:02,072 --> 00:23:04,215
The iranians would get
from the paperwork.
479
00:23:05,334 --> 00:23:06,917
For the six
u.S. Fugitives
480
00:23:06,928 --> 00:23:10,045
Hiding at the home of a
canadian embassy official,
481
00:23:10,122 --> 00:23:13,549
The tension was about to
ratchet to breaking point.
482
00:23:13,625 --> 00:23:16,352
(dramatic music)
483
00:23:18,180 --> 00:23:20,431
Lewis: By January 1980,
484
00:23:20,441 --> 00:23:22,733
The iranian hostage
crisis had escalated.
485
00:23:24,595 --> 00:23:27,271
The ayatollah's carpet
weavers had reassembled
486
00:23:27,281 --> 00:23:30,566
Thousands of pages of
shredded cia documents,
487
00:23:30,642 --> 00:23:32,860
Exposing the identities
of u.S. Agents
488
00:23:32,936 --> 00:23:34,453
And their informants in tehran.
489
00:23:35,439 --> 00:23:36,864
(dramatic music)
490
00:23:36,940 --> 00:23:40,284
At the canadian embassy,
roger lucy observed
491
00:23:40,294 --> 00:23:42,628
How this stoked the
hatred toward america.
492
00:23:45,133 --> 00:23:47,040
Lucy: The atmosphere in the city
493
00:23:47,117 --> 00:23:49,251
Was getting more and more tense
494
00:23:49,328 --> 00:23:51,303
As the students pieced together
495
00:23:51,380 --> 00:23:55,215
More gems from the not-very-well
496
00:23:55,292 --> 00:23:57,801
Shredded paperwork at
the american embassy.
497
00:23:57,812 --> 00:24:00,637
More and more iranians
were getting arrested
498
00:24:00,648 --> 00:24:04,600
Because they'd been mentioned
in some american's memo.
499
00:24:04,676 --> 00:24:06,727
Of course, that was
almost a death sentence
500
00:24:06,803 --> 00:24:10,156
For people who got mentioned
in these dispatches.
501
00:24:10,232 --> 00:24:12,065
(dramatic music)
502
00:24:12,142 --> 00:24:14,067
Lewis: Trapped in the home of
a canadian embassy official,
503
00:24:14,144 --> 00:24:17,946
Mark and cora lijek, and their
fellow u.S. Embassy workers,
504
00:24:18,023 --> 00:24:19,907
Were feeling the pressure.
505
00:24:19,983 --> 00:24:21,909
(tense music)
506
00:24:21,985 --> 00:24:23,335
C. Lijek: We couldn't go out
507
00:24:23,412 --> 00:24:25,171
Because we just worried
somebody would see us.
508
00:24:27,008 --> 00:24:28,499
M. Lijek: People would
ring the doorbell.
509
00:24:28,509 --> 00:24:31,084
We'd have to lock
ourselves in the den.
510
00:24:31,161 --> 00:24:33,846
Anything unusual, even
the phone ringing,
511
00:24:33,923 --> 00:24:35,130
It was just, "who's
that calling?"
512
00:24:35,207 --> 00:24:36,673
Even if you tried
to be rational,
513
00:24:36,684 --> 00:24:39,510
You can't totally get
it out of your head.
514
00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:41,178
C. Lijek: We thought somebody
might be coming,
515
00:24:41,189 --> 00:24:43,731
And we were afraid they
might be coming any minute.
516
00:24:44,934 --> 00:24:47,526
Sheardown: All we would try
to do is survive,
517
00:24:47,603 --> 00:24:49,862
Survive from one
day to the next.
518
00:24:49,939 --> 00:24:51,480
We were on the alert.
519
00:24:51,557 --> 00:24:55,150
Every time I heard
a car stop in front,
520
00:24:55,227 --> 00:24:56,777
Especially at night,
521
00:24:56,853 --> 00:25:01,207
I would get up and look
to see who was out there.
522
00:25:01,283 --> 00:25:02,875
I hardly slept,
523
00:25:02,952 --> 00:25:05,961
Probably awake for
most of the time.
524
00:25:07,030 --> 00:25:09,373
Eventually it does take a toll.
525
00:25:09,383 --> 00:25:11,792
Yeah, I think, I
was a bag of nerves.
526
00:25:11,868 --> 00:25:13,126
How would it end?
527
00:25:13,203 --> 00:25:15,546
(tense music)
528
00:25:15,556 --> 00:25:18,974
(gentle dramatic music)
529
00:25:21,545 --> 00:25:24,888
Lewis: On the 71st day of
the hostage crisis
530
00:25:24,899 --> 00:25:26,682
The united nations
security council
531
00:25:26,758 --> 00:25:29,818
Proposed crippling economic
sanctions against iran.
532
00:25:31,054 --> 00:25:33,072
But the soviet union
saw an opportunity
533
00:25:33,148 --> 00:25:36,316
To further weaken american
influence in the region,
534
00:25:36,393 --> 00:25:38,902
And vetoed the motion.
535
00:25:38,913 --> 00:25:41,655
With no diplomatic
solution in sight,
536
00:25:41,732 --> 00:25:43,249
The situation was becoming
537
00:25:43,325 --> 00:25:44,833
More dangerous by the day.
538
00:25:45,902 --> 00:25:47,202
(dramatic music)
539
00:25:47,279 --> 00:25:48,754
M. Lijek: I felt abandoned.
540
00:25:48,831 --> 00:25:53,834
I thought that there
had to be some options.
541
00:25:53,910 --> 00:25:55,094
That the u.S. Government,
542
00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:01,767
A super power, has been
humiliated by the ayatollah.
543
00:26:03,253 --> 00:26:05,771
Lewis: In ottawa, the
canadian government
544
00:26:05,848 --> 00:26:07,347
Was becoming
increasingly nervous
545
00:26:07,424 --> 00:26:09,433
Of hiding u.S. Fugitives,
546
00:26:09,443 --> 00:26:11,902
And being dragged into
an american crisis.
547
00:26:13,972 --> 00:26:15,781
(dramatic music)
548
00:26:15,858 --> 00:26:19,526
Pardy: Suddenly the canadian
press were counting the numbers.
549
00:26:19,603 --> 00:26:21,445
The fact that there
were more americans
550
00:26:21,455 --> 00:26:25,365
Within the american embassy
than the 52 accounted for.
551
00:26:25,442 --> 00:26:27,701
And the journalists were
putting all of this together,
552
00:26:27,778 --> 00:26:30,078
And that's when the realization
553
00:26:30,155 --> 00:26:33,248
Was we needed to do something
fairly quickly for the six.
554
00:26:33,325 --> 00:26:34,791
(dramatic music)
555
00:26:34,802 --> 00:26:36,418
Lewis: If the canadian
media had worked out
556
00:26:36,495 --> 00:26:38,712
There were some western
diplomats unaccounted for,
557
00:26:38,789 --> 00:26:41,048
It was only a matter of time
558
00:26:41,124 --> 00:26:43,726
Before the iranian
revolutionaries did the same.
559
00:26:45,220 --> 00:26:46,720
Pardy: There was
that realization,
560
00:26:46,797 --> 00:26:48,722
"god, what do we do here?"
561
00:26:48,799 --> 00:26:51,558
Lucy: That's when the
cia were called in,
562
00:26:51,635 --> 00:26:53,444
And things started to get,
563
00:26:54,380 --> 00:26:56,989
I guess you might say,
considerably more professional
564
00:26:57,066 --> 00:26:59,908
When it came to the noble
art of exfiltration.
565
00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:03,111
Lewis: To get the american
diplomats out,
566
00:27:03,188 --> 00:27:05,572
The cia would have
to send a man in,
567
00:27:05,649 --> 00:27:08,659
A man with a very
special skillset.
568
00:27:08,669 --> 00:27:10,336
(gentle dramatic music)
569
00:27:10,412 --> 00:27:14,623
Baglio: When it came to who
should the cia go to
570
00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:17,334
In the operation to
help these six americans
571
00:27:17,345 --> 00:27:18,627
Who were hiding out in tehran,
572
00:27:18,704 --> 00:27:20,128
"how can we get them out?
573
00:27:20,205 --> 00:27:21,129
"who is the expert?"
574
00:27:21,206 --> 00:27:22,014
It was tony.
575
00:27:24,376 --> 00:27:27,645
Lewis: Tony mendez was
the cia's exfiltration expert.
576
00:27:28,672 --> 00:27:30,263
His specialty:
577
00:27:30,340 --> 00:27:33,317
Rescuing clandestine agents
and political refugees.
578
00:27:34,436 --> 00:27:35,694
Baglio: Tony knew how to
579
00:27:35,771 --> 00:27:41,441
Get people in and out of
tough spots.
580
00:27:41,518 --> 00:27:43,443
He'd done this
many times before.
581
00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:45,779
He knew the dangers.
582
00:27:45,856 --> 00:27:47,331
He knew what needed to be done.
583
00:27:48,709 --> 00:27:51,702
Lewis: Over the course
of his 14 year career,
584
00:27:51,712 --> 00:27:54,162
Mendez became the
cia's undisputed
585
00:27:54,239 --> 00:27:56,548
Master of forgery and disguise.
586
00:27:57,868 --> 00:28:01,044
Baglio: One of the things that
tony brought to his work
587
00:28:01,055 --> 00:28:03,964
Was this idea of looking outside
588
00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:07,059
The traditional
areas of expertise.
589
00:28:07,136 --> 00:28:12,064
So, he wasn't looking at defense
contractors and scientists.
590
00:28:12,141 --> 00:28:13,682
He was going to hollywood.
591
00:28:13,759 --> 00:28:15,067
(upbeat music)
592
00:28:15,144 --> 00:28:17,644
He was working on
the sets of movies
593
00:28:17,721 --> 00:28:19,154
Learning the techniques.
594
00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:22,691
Lewis: Mendez applied
his hollywood skills
595
00:28:22,768 --> 00:28:24,493
To clandestine trade craft.
596
00:28:25,654 --> 00:28:28,414
He turned to costume
designers and graphic artists
597
00:28:28,490 --> 00:28:32,701
To provide agents with
perfect props and disguises.
598
00:28:32,778 --> 00:28:35,746
It transformed the
agency's capabilities.
599
00:28:35,756 --> 00:28:38,424
Baglio: That was the beginning
of making people in the cia
600
00:28:38,500 --> 00:28:40,000
Understand that disguise wasn't
601
00:28:40,076 --> 00:28:42,002
Just a bad wig and
a fake mustache.
602
00:28:42,078 --> 00:28:45,431
This was the ability to
actually turn somebody
603
00:28:45,507 --> 00:28:47,266
Into a completely
different person.
604
00:28:48,251 --> 00:28:51,094
He took disguise
to another level.
605
00:28:51,105 --> 00:28:52,763
(dramatic music)
606
00:28:52,773 --> 00:28:54,940
Lewis: But smuggling six
terrified american diplomats
607
00:28:55,017 --> 00:28:57,985
Out of tehran would be
his toughest mission yet.
608
00:28:59,429 --> 00:29:00,771
Baglio: His first job was,
609
00:29:00,781 --> 00:29:03,106
"how can we get them out?
610
00:29:03,117 --> 00:29:04,858
"who are they let's
come up with a story
611
00:29:04,935 --> 00:29:08,528
"for why they're in tehran."
612
00:29:08,605 --> 00:29:10,739
He knew that at some
point these people
613
00:29:10,816 --> 00:29:13,784
Were gonna have to go
through airport security,
614
00:29:13,794 --> 00:29:15,577
Customs, border controls,
615
00:29:15,654 --> 00:29:18,413
And they had no
clandestine training.
616
00:29:18,490 --> 00:29:20,248
So he was saying,
617
00:29:20,325 --> 00:29:23,877
"we need to create a scenario
that they will believe in,
618
00:29:23,954 --> 00:29:26,305
"that will get them
to buy into it,
619
00:29:26,381 --> 00:29:29,800
"and give them the
confidence to escape."
620
00:29:29,810 --> 00:29:31,384
And then he thought,
621
00:29:31,461 --> 00:29:35,314
"what about a hollywood
location scouting party?"
622
00:29:35,390 --> 00:29:38,058
Everybody knows a little bit
of something about hollywood.
623
00:29:38,134 --> 00:29:39,267
(gentle dramatic music)
624
00:29:39,344 --> 00:29:40,819
Lewis: Tony mendez knew
625
00:29:40,896 --> 00:29:42,896
The more believable
the cover story,
626
00:29:42,973 --> 00:29:45,574
The easier it would be for
the diplomats to stick to.
627
00:29:46,476 --> 00:29:50,111
So, he set up a fake
film production company.
628
00:29:50,188 --> 00:29:53,999
Baglio: Tony decided to name the
company studio six productions.
629
00:29:54,985 --> 00:29:57,878
The connection being the six
americans who are hiding out.
630
00:29:58,914 --> 00:30:01,748
Lewis: Studio six needed
a plausible film script,
631
00:30:01,825 --> 00:30:04,251
So he called an old
hollywood contact,
632
00:30:04,327 --> 00:30:07,346
Award-winning make-up
artist john chambers.
633
00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:11,591
Baglio: At the time john had
been given a script
634
00:30:11,668 --> 00:30:13,635
About a science fiction movie.
635
00:30:13,712 --> 00:30:16,513
One of the locations
was set in a bazaar
636
00:30:16,524 --> 00:30:18,598
In a middle easter country,
637
00:30:18,675 --> 00:30:21,235
And tony thought, "you know,
this could be perfect."
638
00:30:22,254 --> 00:30:25,030
Lewis: Mendez re-named
the script "argo",
639
00:30:25,107 --> 00:30:27,699
And wrote articles for
the hollywood trade press,
640
00:30:27,776 --> 00:30:30,035
To give it the publicity
of a genuine project.
641
00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:34,990
Baglio: Hollywood being a
town of make believe,
642
00:30:35,066 --> 00:30:38,326
It wasn't long before they
actually were sent scripts
643
00:30:38,403 --> 00:30:40,712
From other producers
and writers.
644
00:30:40,789 --> 00:30:43,331
Lewis: By mid-January 1980,
645
00:30:43,408 --> 00:30:47,553
Mendez's cover, studio six
productions, was up and running.
646
00:30:47,629 --> 00:30:50,639
If anyone checked, the company
would appear legitimate.
647
00:30:51,967 --> 00:30:55,677
Now tony mendez could
enter iran using his alias,
648
00:30:55,754 --> 00:30:57,679
A location production scout
649
00:30:57,756 --> 00:30:59,514
Looking for a middle
eastern location
650
00:30:59,591 --> 00:31:02,475
For the hollywood
blockbuster "argo".
651
00:31:02,552 --> 00:31:04,736
(gentle dramatic music)
652
00:31:04,813 --> 00:31:08,490
Baglio: It's actually a huge
risk to him to go into tehran.
653
00:31:09,434 --> 00:31:11,151
If he had been captured,
654
00:31:11,227 --> 00:31:14,538
He was convinced that he
would be tortured and killed.
655
00:31:15,490 --> 00:31:18,199
Lewis: In tehran,
mendez had no backup.
656
00:31:18,276 --> 00:31:21,870
If his cover story was blown,
there could be no rescue.
657
00:31:21,947 --> 00:31:24,581
The ayatollah had tightened
his grip on power,
658
00:31:24,592 --> 00:31:27,759
And there were few in
iran the cia could trust.
659
00:31:28,912 --> 00:31:31,254
Cia agents like bill daugherty
660
00:31:31,265 --> 00:31:34,090
Had been tortured to
give up their contacts,
661
00:31:34,101 --> 00:31:35,508
Who were then being
systematically
662
00:31:35,585 --> 00:31:38,270
Rounded up and
imprisoned or worse.
663
00:31:41,609 --> 00:31:43,350
(tense music)
664
00:31:43,426 --> 00:31:46,019
Daugherty: They named a woman
that I had been seeing.
665
00:31:46,096 --> 00:31:50,949
She was a senior administrator
in the ministry of education.
666
00:31:51,026 --> 00:31:52,692
There was nothing
she could tell us
667
00:31:52,769 --> 00:31:55,120
That would harm their
government, absolutely nothing,
668
00:31:56,773 --> 00:31:58,114
And he said, "oh, we shot her."
669
00:31:58,125 --> 00:32:00,584
(gun firing)
670
00:32:01,462 --> 00:32:03,119
He was so casual about it,
671
00:32:03,130 --> 00:32:04,463
And I was really pissed.
672
00:32:06,324 --> 00:32:11,303
They took a plastic cord
and tied my wrists together.
673
00:32:12,306 --> 00:32:15,757
(dramatic music)
674
00:32:15,834 --> 00:32:18,268
It literally cut off the
blood flow to the hands,
675
00:32:20,005 --> 00:32:23,523
And they waited, and
the hands swelled up,
676
00:32:24,726 --> 00:32:26,860
And the skin became
very, very sensitive,
677
00:32:28,138 --> 00:32:29,655
And then they laid
them on the desk
678
00:32:29,731 --> 00:32:31,490
And hit it with a rubber hose.
679
00:32:31,566 --> 00:32:34,275
(suspenseful music)
680
00:32:34,352 --> 00:32:36,903
(whip smacking)
681
00:32:36,980 --> 00:32:41,241
It was a lot more painful
than I would have imagined.
682
00:32:41,317 --> 00:32:43,326
It was a kurd that did it.
683
00:32:43,337 --> 00:32:44,670
That big beefy kurd,
684
00:32:45,822 --> 00:32:47,381
And he took great
pleasure in it.
685
00:32:49,176 --> 00:32:51,677
And I wanna kill that son
of a bitch to this day.
686
00:32:57,167 --> 00:32:59,810
(gentle music)
687
00:33:00,670 --> 00:33:03,355
Lewis: By the end of
January 1980,
688
00:33:03,432 --> 00:33:05,265
Many washington
politicos believed
689
00:33:05,341 --> 00:33:07,517
The only way to resolve
the hostage crisis
690
00:33:07,528 --> 00:33:09,486
Was to send in special forces.
691
00:33:13,183 --> 00:33:14,700
What they didn't know
692
00:33:14,776 --> 00:33:17,703
Was that cia agent tony mendez
693
00:33:17,779 --> 00:33:19,612
Was already at the airport.
694
00:33:19,689 --> 00:33:22,582
(airplane roaring)
695
00:33:23,785 --> 00:33:25,618
Baglio: Tony's cover
he's flying in
696
00:33:25,695 --> 00:33:28,121
As the location
scouting manager.
697
00:33:28,198 --> 00:33:30,373
He's in charge of
this film production.
698
00:33:30,384 --> 00:33:32,459
He's traveling under an alias.
699
00:33:32,535 --> 00:33:35,170
Lewis: Mendez knew as long
as he could keep his cover,
700
00:33:35,246 --> 00:33:38,724
Iranian security would have no
reason to suspect he was cia.
701
00:33:39,709 --> 00:33:41,134
What he didn't know was
702
00:33:41,211 --> 00:33:43,303
If the diplomats he
was here to rescue,
703
00:33:43,379 --> 00:33:46,273
Would be able to maintain
their cover stories.
704
00:33:47,759 --> 00:33:50,810
By this time, the lijeks
and their fellow fugitives
705
00:33:50,887 --> 00:33:55,574
Had been in hiding for 84
days, living on their nerves.
706
00:33:58,078 --> 00:34:00,862
Baglio: Tony needed to assess
their state of mind.
707
00:34:00,939 --> 00:34:02,581
This was incredibly important.
708
00:34:02,657 --> 00:34:04,032
He was worried.
709
00:34:04,109 --> 00:34:05,575
He didn't know if
they would crack.
710
00:34:05,586 --> 00:34:07,660
He didn't know if
they'd already cracked.
711
00:34:07,737 --> 00:34:09,704
The door opens, the
americans are inside,
712
00:34:09,781 --> 00:34:11,831
And they're waiting for him.
713
00:34:11,908 --> 00:34:13,759
Lewis: Mendez had
less than 36 hours
714
00:34:13,835 --> 00:34:15,502
To transform six diplomats
715
00:34:15,578 --> 00:34:17,929
Into a credible
canadian film crew
716
00:34:18,006 --> 00:34:20,432
And get them on a
plane out of tehran.
717
00:34:20,509 --> 00:34:21,841
Woman: I don't understand.
718
00:34:21,918 --> 00:34:23,510
(dramatic music)
719
00:34:23,586 --> 00:34:25,678
I was supposed to be the
script writer for the movie.
720
00:34:25,755 --> 00:34:28,223
M. Lijek: I was the
transportation coordinator.
721
00:34:28,299 --> 00:34:31,017
We were given enough
information to memorize
722
00:34:31,094 --> 00:34:34,187
That it would withstand
cursory scrutiny,
723
00:34:34,264 --> 00:34:36,397
But not so much that
we'd be all paranoid
724
00:34:36,474 --> 00:34:39,943
About forgetting some detail.
725
00:34:39,953 --> 00:34:41,861
Baglio: And this is when
he brings out
726
00:34:41,938 --> 00:34:46,616
All the things that
he's been able to create
727
00:34:46,627 --> 00:34:50,870
The script, the drawings,
the business cards.
728
00:34:50,947 --> 00:34:53,123
M. Lijek: He'd brought a copy
of the "hollywood reporter",
729
00:34:53,133 --> 00:34:54,800
With an ad for "argo".
730
00:34:54,876 --> 00:34:56,635
C. Lijek: He had people
back in hollywood
731
00:34:56,711 --> 00:34:59,879
Who could be called if someone
were going to check on us.
732
00:34:59,956 --> 00:35:01,973
We had what he called,
"pocket litter."
733
00:35:02,050 --> 00:35:04,926
M. Lijek: A key chain, other
people's business cards
734
00:35:05,003 --> 00:35:06,761
That you'd met along the way.
735
00:35:06,838 --> 00:35:09,648
Of course, the main thing we
had was the canadian passports.
736
00:35:09,724 --> 00:35:11,057
(dramatic music)
737
00:35:11,134 --> 00:35:12,317
Lewis: The
canadian government
738
00:35:12,394 --> 00:35:13,810
Had supplied the
american diplomats
739
00:35:13,821 --> 00:35:16,479
With genuine canadian passports.
740
00:35:16,490 --> 00:35:19,783
Now the u.S. Diplomats had
to become those people.
741
00:35:21,978 --> 00:35:23,820
Baglio: Tony lays out the plan,
742
00:35:23,831 --> 00:35:26,331
And he said, "okay, guys, you
need to practice these roles.
743
00:35:26,408 --> 00:35:28,449
"you need to learn
these identities."
744
00:35:28,526 --> 00:35:30,952
M. Lijek: We weren't
trained for that.
745
00:35:31,029 --> 00:35:32,996
We weren't spies, and we didn't
746
00:35:33,006 --> 00:35:35,340
Have the benefit of
that kind of experience.
747
00:35:35,417 --> 00:35:38,343
But tony stressed that
748
00:35:39,571 --> 00:35:42,172
All we had to do was
follow instructions.
749
00:35:42,182 --> 00:35:43,515
Baglio: Most of the
americans are on board
750
00:35:43,592 --> 00:35:47,394
Except for one, joe stafford.
751
00:35:49,598 --> 00:35:52,849
The concern was, "we all need
to be on the same page here.
752
00:35:52,860 --> 00:35:55,935
"is joe on the same page?
753
00:35:56,012 --> 00:35:57,529
Lewis: Tehran
was joe stafford's
754
00:35:57,606 --> 00:36:00,031
First foreign post with
the u.S. State department.
755
00:36:01,093 --> 00:36:03,109
Now, he was battling
doubts as to whether
756
00:36:03,186 --> 00:36:05,620
He should play along with
the cover story at all.
757
00:36:06,598 --> 00:36:08,874
C. Lijek: Joe stafford
didn't wanna leave.
758
00:36:08,950 --> 00:36:10,783
He felt we were
abandoning the others,
759
00:36:10,860 --> 00:36:15,755
And he made very little effort
to really get into his role.
760
00:36:16,275 --> 00:36:17,874
(dramatic music)
761
00:36:17,885 --> 00:36:19,551
Lewis: Mendez's extraction
plan relied
762
00:36:19,628 --> 00:36:21,887
On everyone playing
their parts convincingly.
763
00:36:22,781 --> 00:36:24,547
And if the revolutionary guard
764
00:36:24,558 --> 00:36:27,467
Spotted a flaw in
anyone's performance,
765
00:36:27,543 --> 00:36:30,136
It was gonna be tony
mendez in the firing line.
766
00:36:30,213 --> 00:36:32,981
(dramatic music)
767
00:36:36,403 --> 00:36:38,069
Baglio: Tony goes in first.
768
00:36:38,146 --> 00:36:40,614
There's a big thing that
he has is trust your gut.
769
00:36:41,909 --> 00:36:44,201
If he doesn't like it,
they're gonna abort.
770
00:36:45,937 --> 00:36:47,862
Lewis: In the early
morning, there were relatively
771
00:36:47,939 --> 00:36:50,832
Few revolutionary guards
on duty at the airport.
772
00:36:52,402 --> 00:36:53,752
Baglio: He gives the signal.
773
00:36:53,828 --> 00:36:55,411
(gentle dramatic music)
774
00:36:55,422 --> 00:36:57,422
Send in the six americans.
775
00:37:00,243 --> 00:37:02,719
M. Lijek: I was scared, you
know, it was a scary thing.
776
00:37:04,506 --> 00:37:06,714
But then there was
tony, and he was smiling
777
00:37:06,791 --> 00:37:09,017
That meant everything
was good, just proceed.
778
00:37:11,104 --> 00:37:13,104
Lewis: The six
diplomats and tony joined
779
00:37:13,181 --> 00:37:15,941
The queue for passport
control at tehran airport.
780
00:37:16,926 --> 00:37:19,611
Crew member of studio
six productions
781
00:37:19,688 --> 00:37:21,988
Heading home from a
location scouting trip.
782
00:37:23,808 --> 00:37:26,025
(gentle dramatic music)
783
00:37:26,102 --> 00:37:28,620
C. Lijek: I was worried
somebody might recognize us.
784
00:37:30,699 --> 00:37:32,791
M. Lijek: When you arrive at
post, you have to submit
785
00:37:32,867 --> 00:37:35,410
A bunch of photographs
to the foreign ministry.
786
00:37:35,486 --> 00:37:36,911
Who knows where those
photographs were.
787
00:37:36,988 --> 00:37:39,122
They could be on the
wall at the airport,
788
00:37:39,132 --> 00:37:41,040
And so that was a
little bit concerning.
789
00:37:41,117 --> 00:37:43,251
Butt, there's no help for it.
790
00:37:43,328 --> 00:37:46,179
You just have to
hope for the best.
791
00:37:47,474 --> 00:37:49,882
Lewis: The canadian
passports were genuine.
792
00:37:49,959 --> 00:37:52,719
But the rest of their
documents were a problem.
793
00:37:52,795 --> 00:37:57,140
Mendez had expertly forged
the diplomats' exit visas.
794
00:37:57,150 --> 00:37:59,309
The trouble was they
were supposed to match
795
00:37:59,319 --> 00:38:02,988
A counterfoil entry visa
at passport control,
796
00:38:03,064 --> 00:38:05,490
A counterfoil that didn't exist.
797
00:38:05,567 --> 00:38:07,275
C. Lijek: The fellow was
supposed to take
798
00:38:07,352 --> 00:38:10,403
The yellow visa paper
out of our passports
799
00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:13,906
And check for the matching
copy in the files.
800
00:38:13,983 --> 00:38:15,667
The guy took the papers,
801
00:38:15,744 --> 00:38:17,493
(suspenseful music)
802
00:38:17,504 --> 00:38:19,587
But he didn't check anything.
803
00:38:22,751 --> 00:38:23,758
Thank you.
804
00:38:26,346 --> 00:38:28,755
Lewis: One by one
the american fugitives
805
00:38:28,831 --> 00:38:30,432
Cleared passport security.
806
00:38:31,760 --> 00:38:33,685
Then in the departure lounge,
807
00:38:33,762 --> 00:38:35,687
They heard an announcement.
808
00:38:35,764 --> 00:38:39,349
Their 7:30 a.M. Flight
had been delayed
809
00:38:39,359 --> 00:38:41,142
(dramatic music)
810
00:38:41,219 --> 00:38:45,363
(voice muttering over pa system)
811
00:38:45,440 --> 00:38:47,866
M. Lijek: So at that point
I'm freaking out.
812
00:38:47,942 --> 00:38:50,193
The longer we're there
the better the chance
813
00:38:50,203 --> 00:38:53,112
Of something going wrong.
814
00:38:53,189 --> 00:38:55,373
Lewis: The plane had
a mechanical problem.
815
00:38:55,450 --> 00:38:57,000
But that wasn't the only issue.
816
00:38:58,953 --> 00:39:01,371
Baglio: The revolutionary
guards tony was hoping
817
00:39:01,381 --> 00:39:03,956
Weren't gonna be there
are now making the rounds.
818
00:39:04,033 --> 00:39:05,383
They're harassing people.
819
00:39:07,036 --> 00:39:08,961
The americans begin to worry
820
00:39:09,038 --> 00:39:11,765
About whether or not this
cover story is gonna hold up,
821
00:39:13,727 --> 00:39:15,718
And tony becomes
a little concerned
822
00:39:15,729 --> 00:39:18,721
That one them might crack.
823
00:39:18,732 --> 00:39:20,306
(dramatic music)
824
00:39:20,383 --> 00:39:21,724
Lewis: By now, the tension
825
00:39:21,735 --> 00:39:24,143
Was taking its toll
on joe stafford,
826
00:39:24,220 --> 00:39:27,238
And he had stopped playing
his part altogether.
827
00:39:27,315 --> 00:39:28,564
M. Lijek: Joe made no effort.
828
00:39:28,575 --> 00:39:30,358
He was reading a farsi newspaper
829
00:39:30,435 --> 00:39:32,360
Before tony took
it away from him.
830
00:39:32,437 --> 00:39:35,080
He kept calling cora
by her real name.
831
00:39:35,156 --> 00:39:36,581
C. Lijek: We were
definitely worried
832
00:39:36,658 --> 00:39:39,084
That joe might give us away.
833
00:39:39,160 --> 00:39:40,743
Baglio: It was clear that
joe was feeling
834
00:39:40,754 --> 00:39:42,087
Guilty about leaving.
835
00:39:42,163 --> 00:39:45,373
He didn't want to leave tehran
836
00:39:45,450 --> 00:39:48,668
While these other americans
were being held hostage.
837
00:39:48,744 --> 00:39:50,428
Lewis: If stafford
blew their cover,
838
00:39:50,505 --> 00:39:52,806
The consequences for
the group were dire.
839
00:39:54,584 --> 00:39:58,395
But for a cia officer, they
were likely to be fatal.
840
00:39:59,630 --> 00:40:02,390
(tense music)
841
00:40:02,467 --> 00:40:03,516
Baglio: Everybody is nervous.
842
00:40:03,593 --> 00:40:05,226
The mood is anxious.
843
00:40:05,303 --> 00:40:06,727
Tony is looking at the scenario
844
00:40:06,804 --> 00:40:11,116
Through the lens of
problems, solutions.
845
00:40:11,192 --> 00:40:12,608
They just have to wait,
846
00:40:12,619 --> 00:40:14,944
And they just have
to keep their cool.
847
00:40:14,955 --> 00:40:18,114
M. Lijek: Tony he inspired
a lot of confidence.
848
00:40:18,125 --> 00:40:19,782
C. Lijek: He said,
"just stay calm.
849
00:40:19,793 --> 00:40:22,752
"we'll just hang here," so
I was able to calm down.
850
00:40:24,447 --> 00:40:25,797
After 30 minutes they announced
851
00:40:25,874 --> 00:40:28,675
That the plane was
ready to be boarded.
852
00:40:29,711 --> 00:40:32,220
Every step was
another step closer.
853
00:40:35,884 --> 00:40:39,927
Lewis: At 8:30 a.M.,
on January 28, 1980,
854
00:40:40,004 --> 00:40:43,356
The lijek's plane finally
left tehran for zurich.
855
00:40:44,543 --> 00:40:48,102
85 days after they'd fled
their besieged embassy,
856
00:40:48,179 --> 00:40:50,655
And accompanied by the
cia master of disguise
857
00:40:50,732 --> 00:40:52,648
Who'd orchestrated their escape,
858
00:40:52,659 --> 00:40:56,453
The american diplomats were
at last on their way home.
859
00:40:58,689 --> 00:41:01,657
C. Lijek: We figured we finally
were safe when they announced
860
00:41:01,668 --> 00:41:04,327
We were out of iranian airspace.
861
00:41:04,337 --> 00:41:06,337
M. Lijek: At that point we
ordered some bloody mary's
862
00:41:06,414 --> 00:41:08,423
And toasted each other.
863
00:41:09,492 --> 00:41:10,300
It was over.
864
00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:14,128
Lewis: Though it was
over for the six,
865
00:41:14,205 --> 00:41:17,423
It wasn't yet over for
the 52 american hostages
866
00:41:17,500 --> 00:41:19,267
Still held at the u.S. Embassy.
867
00:41:20,545 --> 00:41:22,470
(dramatic music)
868
00:41:22,547 --> 00:41:27,016
A few months later,
on April 24, 1980,
869
00:41:27,027 --> 00:41:28,976
A desperate president
jimmy carter
870
00:41:29,053 --> 00:41:31,145
Launched a military
rescue attempt.
871
00:41:31,222 --> 00:41:32,697
(emergency sirens blaring)
872
00:41:32,774 --> 00:41:35,274
It ended in disaster
in the desert.
873
00:41:35,351 --> 00:41:37,652
Eight american
servicemen were killed.
874
00:41:37,728 --> 00:41:39,287
Several more were injured.
875
00:41:41,282 --> 00:41:44,617
Bill daugherty and 51
of his fellow americans
876
00:41:44,694 --> 00:41:50,665
Would remain in captivity in
iran until January 20, 1981,
877
00:41:50,741 --> 00:41:54,719
A total of 444 days.
878
00:41:55,947 --> 00:41:59,549
C. Lijek: It was difficult
knowing they were still there.
879
00:41:59,559 --> 00:42:02,552
That was really difficult.
880
00:42:02,562 --> 00:42:04,178
(gentle music)
881
00:42:04,255 --> 00:42:06,556
Lewis: At the time,
any involvement by the cia
882
00:42:06,566 --> 00:42:09,308
In the lijek's escape
was kept secret,
883
00:42:09,385 --> 00:42:12,237
To avoid reprisals against
the remaining hostages.
884
00:42:15,057 --> 00:42:18,484
Baglio: One of the unique
things about tony
885
00:42:18,561 --> 00:42:23,030
And the individuals like
him who work in the cia,
886
00:42:23,107 --> 00:42:26,918
Is they know that they
will never get credit.
887
00:42:26,995 --> 00:42:29,870
Lewis: But full credit
was given to the canadians
888
00:42:29,947 --> 00:42:32,006
For their heroic
role in the escape.
889
00:42:33,618 --> 00:42:35,334
M. Lijek: Canadians
invested a lot of effort
890
00:42:35,411 --> 00:42:37,587
In keeping us safe
all those months.
891
00:42:37,597 --> 00:42:40,548
C. Lijek: It was a pretty
big risk keeping us there.
892
00:42:40,625 --> 00:42:42,341
M. Lijek: Zena she was
our protector
893
00:42:42,418 --> 00:42:44,435
From the outside world,
894
00:42:44,512 --> 00:42:46,846
The barrier between us and them.
895
00:42:46,922 --> 00:42:48,389
(gentle dramatic music)
896
00:42:48,466 --> 00:42:51,517
Sheardown: I don't regret
any of it.
897
00:42:51,594 --> 00:42:54,729
What would we have felt
like if they were caught?
898
00:42:54,805 --> 00:42:56,022
I don't think I
would have been able
899
00:42:56,098 --> 00:42:57,732
To live with that myself.
900
00:42:57,808 --> 00:43:00,618
(dramatic music)
901
00:43:01,604 --> 00:43:04,113
Lewis: Only when cia files
were declassified
902
00:43:04,124 --> 00:43:07,783
17 years later could
the truth be revealed.
903
00:43:07,794 --> 00:43:09,118
How one man devised a plot
904
00:43:09,129 --> 00:43:11,037
Straight out of a
hollywood movie,
905
00:43:11,113 --> 00:43:13,748
To stage one of the
boldest recuse missions
906
00:43:13,824 --> 00:43:15,625
In the agency's history.
907
00:43:15,635 --> 00:43:18,127
(suspenseful music)
908
00:43:18,138 --> 00:43:20,930
(dramatic music)
72719
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