Ben Affleck changes Argo postscript to honor Canadian
By Alexandra Heilbron on September 19, 2012 | 7 Comments
After Ben Affleck‘s Argo was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, several people voiced their concern over the way Ken Taylor, Canada’s former ambassador to Iran, was portrayed, especially in the postscript of the movie (in which it explains what happened to the main characters involved). Six Americans were hidden by Taylor for months in Iran when violence broke out and 63 Americans were taken hostage. Putting his life at risk, Taylor managed to obtain Canadian passports for the six and smuggled them out of the country to safety. The original postscript said that although American efforts got the hostages out, for political reasons Canada took credit, and implied that Taylor didn’t deserve the 112 citations he received. When Affleck heard about the objections, he called Taylor and invited him to Los Angeles for a private screening of the movie.
Taylor later told the Toronto Star: “I expressed my concern with certain details in the movie. In reality, Canada was responsible for the six and the CIA was a junior partner. But I realize this is a movie and you have to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.” After talking to Taylor, Affleck changed the postscript to read: “The involvement of the CIA complemented efforts of the Canadian embassy to free the six held in Tehran. To this day the story stands as an enduring model of international co-operation between governments.” Affleck and Taylor spent a day together discussing the movie and got along so well that Taylor and his wife Pat were asked to tape a commentary for the extra features on the DVD version of Argo. The Taylors were also invited by Affleck to attend a special screening of the movie in Washington, D.C. on October 10.
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Affleck has grown as a person and and actor and director I think. Ken Taylor is right that it’s Hollywood and it’s a movie they want to sell in America, so they need to change a few things to sell it there. Who in America wants to see a movie where Americans are rescued by their cousins up north? They could care less about the heroics of another country. Least of all a country that is involved in so many world affairs and sits back while others take all the credit.
Good on ya Ben, for changing the post script (which I personally ALWAYS love to read at the end of movies).
Really now??? I would think if a story line is based on the truth, turns into an inspirational movie why does it matter American or Canadian?? Facts are the facts, and the truth is the truth and should be told as such. By the way C-Dub what’s with the slam on CDNS?? I have a number of American friends and thank God they don’t have your attitude. It is people like you that give Americans a bad rep.
C-Dub’s comment sounded more like a slam to the USA, not Canada. The implication being that Americans only care about themselves, not the truth, while Canada is willing to do the work but receive none of the glory. That’s just how I took it.
Anyway, glad to hear Afflect changed it.
it’s not enough. it still sounds like it was a US success story and Ken Taylor was just a guy on the sideline. these people lived because he risked his life and his wife’s. and got a sad understated credit. it still need to be modified.
See THE TOWN!
I agree with Danielle!! 🙂
I remember when this incident happened. The Canadians risked their lives in an incredibly dangerous and volatile situation and THEY saved the lives of the Americans. This was a HUGE event and I am personally disgusted that once again an American sidelines Canadian achievements. It is an interesting story as it was – no changes necessary. Would he make a life story of Nelson Mandella and American person? If you have any patriotic integrity do NOT support this movie by handing over your cold hard cash to Ben “the hero” Affleck.