Desert One

Desert One, an enthralling 2019 historical documentary, puts its audience in the middle of an intense and controversial chapter of American history. Directed by the celebrated Barbara Kopple, renowned for her gripping socio-political documentaries, the film meticulously recreates the failed US military operation, codenamed Operation Eagle Claw, aimed at ending the Iran hostage crisis in 1980. Immensely enriched by the recollections of those directly involved, the movie showcases the anonymity and fear in the desert one night that led to unforeseen global repercussions.

The film stars James Q. Roberts, a former Marine helicopter pilot on the operation, who reveals the magnitude of the mission, the army's preparation, and the unavoidable strains of the daunting task. His portrayal illustrates the complex nature of war and the heavy burden carried by those who serve.

John Limbert, a former US diplomat who was one of the 52 hostages held in Iran for 444 days, brings a unique perspective to the narrative. Limbert provides an insider’s view, expanding on the mental trauma and the enduring torment that the captives experienced. His inclusion in the film, as someone who was on the opposite end of the operation, completes the human element in this tale of high stakes geopolitics.

The producer and top aide to then-President Carter, Gerald Rafshoon, adds another layer to the film by illustrating the political aspects and repercussions of the operation. His insights highlight how political calculations and maneuverings can have a significant and, at times, devastating impact on lives and nations.

Desert One delves deep into the geopolitical circumstances of the era, with the Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis at its heart. It unveils the many strategic, tactical, and human elements that played out in this complex operation, culminating in a catastrophic failure with enormous historical consequences.

Despite being a historical documentary, Desert One avoids the trap of being merely a dry recounting of events. Instead, Kopple adopts a storytelling approach that gives voice to everyone involved, from the decision-makers in the White House to the courage-strapped men on the ground. It achieves a fine balance between offering a thorough interpretation of the facts whilst also probing the human aspects of the incident.

Kopple leverages unseen archival footage, animated scenes, and highly emotional firsthand account interviews to narrate this intense rescue mission. The film also presents exclusive interviews with the Iranian hostages and the Iranian hostage-takers, providing a comprehensive and deeply human perspective of one of the most stressful times in diplomatic history.

In doing so, the film successfully captures the tense uncertainty and unprecedented nature of the mission, the bravery of those involved, and the profound impact of the mission’s failure on the Carter administration and its ripple effect on American and global politics. It provides equal attention to the human aspect as well, illustrating the toll such a crisis took on every person involved, from the hostages in Tehran to the soldiers in the desert to the policymakers in D.C.

Desert One manages to stand out not just because it is a historically significant event, but due to the intimate and deeply human way it presents this critical moment in history. Despite the film being centered around a specific event, its themes resonate universally, with war, diplomatic tensions, and the human cost arising from such conflicts taking center stage.

Overall, Desert One offers an insightful, comprehensive, and deeply human look into one of the most sensitive events in American diplomatic history. Whether you are familiar with the Iran hostage crisis or merely a fan of historical documentaries, this film will deliver a captivating traipse through time, filled with a potent mix of bravery, pain, political tension, and ultimately, enduring humanity.