Desert One

Released Aug 21, 2020

1h 47m

Documentary

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Desert One: Trailer 1

2:29

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88%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

91%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker Barbara Kopple examines a failed U.S. military operation to rescue hostages in Tehran, Iran, in 1980.

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Critics Consensus

Comprehensive without getting bogged down in details, Desert One offers a fascinating look at a daring military mission that ended in defeat.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

You can learn a lot more from your failures than your rah-rah successes. Barbara Kopple is of course a veteran [filmmaker] and does this brilliantly.

Sep 1, 2020

Full Review

Angie Han

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It felt a little bit dry to me. Having a lot of perspectives is good, but it means that you have a long series of talking heads... That said, it was worth watching.

Sep 1, 2020

Full Review

Steve Pond

TheWrap

[Barbara] Kopple is an impeccable documentarian.

Aug 24, 2020

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

It is a deplorable work, which ... espouses nauseating pro-military and patriotic sentiments.

Feb 10, 2021

Full Review

A.S. Hamrah

The Baffler

Desert One has no real point of view. It doesn't offer much, beyond honoring the men who tried to rescue the hostages, and is by default but not by conviction militaristic.

Jan 9, 2021

Full Review

Dan Schindel

Hyperallergic

Kopple's best films capture blistering humanity, and that's mostly absent here.

Nov 17, 2020

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greg r

The story of the most incompetent people ever to carry out a mission. Excellent documentary. Shame on America.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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john h

Well made with many details new to me. Emotionally impactful as well. I recommend watching with "Jimmy Carter Rock and Roll President" and "Argo".

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Revealing and as poignant today as it was in 1980. Great film-making, it will be useful for many as perspective for how American politics and international relations took a sharp turn.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Desert One: Trailer 1

2:29

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Barbara Kopple examines a failed U.S. military operation to rescue hostages in Tehran, Iran, in 1980.

Director: Barbara Kopple
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 21, 2020
Runtime: 1h 47m

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