On Wings of Eagles

The book On the wings of the eagle (Original Title: On Wings of Eagles ), published in 1983, is a fact thriller by Ken Follett, who portrays the release of two Americans from an Iranian prison.

Action

The book is based on a true story. Between 1978 and 1979 the government of the Shah was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. In this heated atmosphere, the two Americans Chiapparone Paul and Bill Gaylord arrested in Tehran without giving reasons. They are the highest-ranking employee of EDS Corporation Iran, a subsidiary of Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS ), and work on behalf of the Iranian government in Tehran. Ross Perot, chairman of EDS, is convinced of the innocence of Chiapparone and Gaylord and does everything it can free the two. Through diplomatic channels, this is not possible because the two Americans are considered by the Iranians as a political hostages. Perot fears for the lives of his two employees and provides a relief squad from EDS employees under the leadership of Arthur D. Simons, a former officer in the U.S. Army together. Together with Iranian allies manage to rescue from prison, but now follows a dangerous and adventurous escape overland from Iran to Turkey.

Genesis of the book

The rescue operation, called Operation Hotfoot ( "Help our two friends out of Tehran " ), came after their successful implementation into the headlines worldwide. Perot's wife Margot took her husband out to have it published the story of Ken Follett, whose book The needle had inspired them. Follett took the job, but was paid, contrary to rumors to the contrary, not for Perot.

The film

1986 Andrew V. McLaglen filmed the director of the dramatic events with, among others, Burt Lancaster and Richard Crenna in the lead roles. The two-part adheres closely to the actual events and gives a historical insight into the time of the Iranian revolution turmoil.