The Secrets Behind the Incredible True Tale 'Argo'

Ben Affleck has tapped one of the most unbelievable true stories to come out of recently declassified government files for Argo, in theaters October 12. Get a look behind the scenes…

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On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. Argo was the covert operation to rescue six U.S. citizens who managed to evade capture and get them safely out of the country amid the explosive Iranian revolution.

"You wouldn't imagine that someone would use that idea as a cover because it was so outrageous," says Ben of the real-life plot device used for the rescue attempt.

Argo finds a bearded Ben playing a CIA "exfiltration" specialist who comes up with an audacious plan to extract the six Americans: devise a fake Hollywood sci-fi movie called Argo as a cover to allow a rescue team in behind enemy lines to pull it off.

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The Good Will Hunting Oscar winner's third directorial effort following the critically acclaimed Gone Baby Gone and The Town, Argo also stars Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Kyle Chandler and Kerry Bishe.