Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper

Just watched the documentary on Escape from Iran. I just have to say how proud my brothers and myself are of what our Dad John Sheardown did for the American Hostages. He is the best Dad a daughter could ever have. I was up in Ottawa for the Canada awards and met a few of the hostages over the years. I have heard so many stories about the 3 months they all spent as house guests. Chris Wiggins played my Dad to a tee... Just wanted to say how much I enjoy seeing the movie when it comes on. I am very proud of my father he is a great man . Thankyou for allowing me to send this message. How proud I am of being Canadian .Sincerely Jacqueline Sheardown Hunter

This movie should appeal to all Canadians on the level of a sentimental reminder of our heroics during the Iranian hostage incident. However, it should also be appealing on an entertainment level also. The film stars many familiar Canadian actors like the ubiquitous Robert Joy, Chris Wiggins, R.H. Thompson and, of course, the anti-hero Gordon Pinsent who plays real life anti-hero Ken Taylor. The film does not glorify Taylor as a one-man Rambo saviour but rather shows him as a leader among a group of peace loving and peace keeping Canadians. For example, Thompson plays Lee Schatz. Schatz helps the escape plan by pretending to be an agriculture student from Guelph. The Iranian airport officials fall for his ruse and the hostages are one step closer to freedom. Quite often, TV movies based on recent real life events become dated quickly. However, the humour, production and cast make this film a souvenir of the 1980s to hang on to.