On Wings of Eagles (miniseries)

Last updated
On Wings of Eagles
GenreDrama
Based on On Wings of Eagles by Ken Follett
Screenplay by Ken Follett and Sam Rolfe
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
Starring Burt Lancaster
Richard Crenna
Paul Le Mat
Theme music composer Laurence Rosenthal
Country of originUnited States
Mexico
Original languagesEnglish
Persian
No. of episodes2
Production
Executive producer Edgar J. Scherick
Producer Lynn Raynor
Production locations Mexico City
Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
Cinematography Robert Steadman
Editor Alan Strachan
Running time241 minutes
Production companiesEdgar J. Scherick Associates
Taft Entertainment Television
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseMay 18 (1986-05-18) 
May 19, 1986 (1986-05-19)

On Wings of Eagles (also known as Teheran) is a 1986 American television miniseries starring Burt Lancaster and Richard Crenna, and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. It was adapted from Ken Follett's 1983 book of the same name.

Contents

Synopsis

The story is set during the Iranian Revolution (1978–1979). As Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is overthrown by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the takeover of Iran, two executives of Electronic Data Systems, are arrested on false charges and then imprisoned. The head of the company, H. Ross Perot (Richard Crenna), travels to Tehran to negotiate for their release. Meanwhile, a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel, Arthur D. 'Bull' Simons (Burt Lancaster), is hired by Perot to formulate a rescue plan at any cost.

Cast

ActorRole
Burt Lancaster Colonel Arthur D. "Bull" Simons
Richard Crenna H. Ross Perot
Paul Le Mat Jay Coburn
Louis Giambalvo Paul Chiapparone
Jim Metzler Bill Gaylord
Lawrence Pressman Bill Gayden
Esai Morales Rashid
Martin DoyleJim Schwebach
Robert Wightman Keane Taylor
Cyril O'Reilly Pat Scully
Bob Delegall Ron Davis
William Bumiller Rich Gallagher
James Sutorius Joe Poche
Richard Anthony Crenna Ross Perot Jr.
Constance Towers Margot Perot
Karen Carlson Ruth Chiapparone
Patrick Collins John Howell
Roger Cudney General Jerome O'Malley
Patty McCormack Liz Coburn
Zevi Wolmark Ted Maxwell
Kabir Bedi Mohammad
Ellis Levinson Henry Kissinger (voice)

Awards

The miniseries was nominated for Outstanding Miniseries at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards.

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