UCLA Library

The 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis resulted in the 444-day captivity of 52 American hostages and proved one of the most dramatic diplomatic crises of the 20th century. This documentary explores how deep cultural misunderstandings between the ancient superpower of Iran and the modern superpower of the U.S. indirectly prolonged the crisis. Through archival footage and in-depth analysis, the documentary chronicles the historical roots, political tensions, and failed diplomatic efforts that fundamentally altered U.S.-Iranian relations.