Argo

The top secret details behind the real-life CIA mission chronicled in Ben Affleck’s nail-biter Argo (2012, 2 hrs., R) remained classified for 17 years. But now that millions of people have seen the film, the cat’s completely out of the bag, right? Not so fast. As the EXTRAS on the new DVD and Blu-ray make clear, there’s more to discover about both the movie and Langley’s hush-hush relationship with Hollywood. Tony Mendez, the CIA agent whom Affleck portrays in the film, elaborates on some of the other cover stories they flirted with before settling on the sci-fi-epic ruse because it ”had the most pizzazz.” Several of the real embassy workers whose rescue from Iran is at the heart of Argo recount their white-knuckle memories, mentioning how they were booked on several flights out of Tehran as a backup getaway plan. Even Jimmy Carter drops by to discuss how he greenlit the seemingly absurd mission when he was in the Oval Office.

Meanwhile, on their commentary, Affleck and screenwriter Chris Terrio spill a few secrets of their own, such as the fact that Alan Arkin’s onscreen mansion is actually the home of Zsa Zsa Gabor, and that Affleck modeled the Star Wars decor in the bedroom of Mendez’s son after his own childhood room. Granted, these revelations may not jeopardize national security, but they’re juicy intel for fans of one of the year’s best films. A-