Title: On Wings of Eagles Films
Inclusive Dates: 1986

Call Number: FG 577-FG 580; DF 508

Quantity: 5 film reels

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
Contact Information

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Five reels containing the entire two-part television mini-series On Wings of Eagles based on the best-selling novel by Ken Follett. The series follows two imprisoned American Electronic Data Systems executives and their liberators, headed by retired Army Colonel 'Bull' Simons (Burt Lancaster), as they try to escape Tehran.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-fg577

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This collection consists of the complete two-part television mini-series On Wings of Eagles, which aired on NBC in 1986. Based on Ken Follett's best-selling novel of the same name, the mini-series documents two American executives of the Texas-based Electronic Data Systems (EDS) as they struggle to escape Tehran, Iran. Imprisoned by Ayatollah Khomeini, the two men are held at a thirteen million dollar ransom. In response, the company's head, H. Ross Perot hires retired Army Colonel Arthur E. 'Bull' Simons (Burt Lancaster) to head up a rescue mission. They put together a first-class team including Paul Le Mat as Simon's second-in-command Jay Coburn and Esai Morales as the Iranian EDS trainee who aids the American team.

The collection consists of 5 reels of 16mm color prints with sound. Each reel in the collection contains individual segments of the mini-series and are arranged chronologically by episode and segment as it would have been viewed on television. Three of the reels have a running time of approximately fifty minutes to 1 hour, while the other two reels have a running time of 20 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. This collection does not contain original commercials. The visual quality of these prints is generally good overall although the quality differs between the individual reels.

Use Restrictions

No duplication or public screening without consent of copyright holder.

Acquisition Information

Presented by the UCLA Film and Television Archive via Dan Einstein. Accession Number: M95-215

FG 577	Episode 1 Scope and Content Note: EDS executives Bill Gaylord and Paul Chiapparone are arrested and held for $13 million ransom in an Iranian prison. Meanwhile, EDS company head H. Ross Perot assembles a rescue team comprised of EDS employees and headed by retired Army Colonel Arthur E. 'Bull' Simmons. Reel contains opening credits.
FG 578	Episode 2 Scope and Content Note: The team arrives in Iran and enlists the help of an Iranian EDS trainee named Rashid. Perot flies into Iran to see if he can help from there only to turn back. The Colonel and the team attempt to take Bill and Paul out by force only to find that they've been moved to another prison.
DF 508	Episode 3 Scope and Content Note: After misinformation about the prison thwarts initial attempts to free Bill and Paul, Rashid instigates a mob uprising to break into the jail, freeing Bill and Paul.
FG 579	Episode 4 Scope and Content Note: With Bill and Paul free, the team decides to flee Iran via Turkey. The rest of EDS' employees and their families safely evacuate Iran and fly back to the U.S. Rashid is taken hostage by Iranian extremists but escapes and rejoins the team. Reel contains opening credits.
FG 580	Episode 5 Scope and Content Note: Only a couple of hours from the Turkish border, the team hits a roadblock and is taken hostage by a local tribe only to be set free and taken hostage by another. After escaping, the team reaches the border. Safely back in the U.S. the team is welcomed home by their families. Reel contains closing credits.