PickFlick
Hostages

Hostages

444 days. Decades in the making.

TV-MA2022•1h 0m•6.1/10
Documentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb
6.1/10(7)

On November 4, 1979, Iranian student activists stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking over 60 Americans hostage. What was planned as a 48-hour sit-in to protest American imperialism, ballooned into an international crisis and 24/7 media event that would last 444 days. With never-before-seen archival footage and revelatory new interviews with the American hostages and Iranian hostage-takers alike, the series is a gripping chronicle of one of the most dramatic international deadlocks in American history, a deep dive into the geo-political history that led to the crisis, and an exploration of the political fallout that reverberates today.

Open in PickFlick

Production

Show of Force, HBO Documentary Films

Language

EN

Status

Ended

First Aired

September 28, 2022

Last Aired

September 29, 2022

Networks

HBO

Trailers & Videos

Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
Part One: The Peacock Throne
E1
Part One: The Peacock Throne
Air date: 2022-09-28
Under the rule of Mohammad Reza Shah, Iran experiences an oil-driven economic boom, but the government’s excesses and repressive tactics lead to increasing hostility towards the monarch and his closest ally: the United States. As religious cleric Ayatollah Khomeini grows in popularity, the Shah flees and the country becomes engulfed in revolution, endangering the U.S. embassy.
Part Two: Den of Spies
E2
Part Two: Den of Spies
Air date: 2022-09-28
November 1979. In protest of the United States’ long-standing relationship with the now-deposed Shah, an Iranian student group plans a 48-hour sit-in at the American embassy in Tehran. But what starts as a political statement quickly turns into chaos as Khomeini’s regime sanctions the embassy takeover and uses it to shore up power.
Part Three: The Sand Storm
E3
Part Three: The Sand Storm
Air date: 2022-09-29
With 1980 fast approaching, and the crisis nowhere near ending, the situation takes on a life of its own in American and Iranian media. After diplomatic efforts to secure the hostages’ release fail, and their fates become more dire, President Carter launches a rescue operation – with disastrous results.
Part Four: The Transaction
E4
Part Four: The Transaction
Air date: 2022-09-29
A year into the siege, Carter works furiously to secure a deal as the 1980 U.S. presidential election approaches. As Ronald Reagan prepares to take office, the outgoing administration enters a final, desperate diplomatic push. Today, those on both sides of the conflict weigh in on the crisis’ complex and enduring legacy.

Recommended

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki

7.8
2019
TV Show

A chronicle of the creative process of the legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, a passionate artisan, a steadfast trailblazer, and a father butting heads with his son…

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki

2019
7.8
We Need to Talk About Cosby

We Need to Talk About Cosby

6.8
2022
TV Show

During his nearly 50 years in show business, Bill Cosby became one of America's most recognizable black celebrities: his career was a model of excellence for millions of Americans, until the painful testimonies of dozens of women uncovered the sinister grimace behind the smile of the so-called America's dad.

We Need to Talk About Cosby

2022
6.8
Stranger Things

Stranger Things

8.6
2016
TV Show

When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl.

Stranger Things

2016
8.6
Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad

8.9
2008
TV Show

Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live. He becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting desire to secure his family's financial future at any cost as he enters the dangerous world of drugs and crime.

Breaking Bad

2008
8.9
Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

8.2
2013
TV Show

A single-camera ensemble comedy following the lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

2013
8.2
The Good Doctor

The Good Doctor

8.5
2017
TV Show

Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital's surgical unit. Unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.

The Good Doctor

2017
8.5
CatDog

CatDog

7.1
1998
TV Show

The life and times of a cat and a dog with a unique twist: they're connected, literally. They share one body with a Dog's head at one end and Cat's head on the other. Adding to their dilemma is Cat's annoyance with Dog, mainly caused by Dog's stupidity and Cat's up-tight personality. Characters: Cat - Cat is the smarter one of the two brothers, and is always hatching some kind of plot to get his brother to calm down, so that Cat doesn't get beat around and hurt. Even though most of these plots involve messing with Dog's feeble mind, they often backfire on Cat, much to his dismay. It may not show all the time but, he deeply loves, and cares for his brother Dog. Dog - Dog is the more lovable of the two brothers, Dog loves to play and party and play some more, he loves baseball and playing fetch with frisbees, balls, sticks, etc, He is very friendly, and happy, but does have a breaking point. He's very sensitive, and if he fails at something he feels horrible, and worthless

CatDog

1998
7.1
WandaVision

WandaVision

8.2
2021
TV Show

Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

WandaVision

2021
8.2
Doctor Who

Doctor Who

7.6
2005
TV Show

The Doctor is a Time Lord: a 900 year old alien with 2 hearts, part of a gifted civilization who mastered time travel. The Doctor saves planets for a living—more of a hobby actually, and the Doctor's very, very good at it.

Doctor Who

2005
7.6
Codename: Kids Next Door

Codename: Kids Next Door

8.2
2002
TV Show

Taking numbers instead of names, five extraordinary 10-year-olds form a covert team called the Kids Next Door with one dedicated mission: to free all children from the tyrannical rule of adults.

Codename: Kids Next Door

2002
8.2
Squid Game

Squid Game

7.9
2021
TV Show

Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.

Squid Game

2021
7.9
It

It

6.9
1990
TV Show

In 1960, seven outcast kids known as "The Losers' Club" fight against an ancient shape-shifting alien who poses as a child-killing clown, while also dealing with bullies and abusive parents. Thirty years later, they reunite to stop the creature once and for all when it returns to their hometown.

It

1990
6.9

Similar TV Shows

Ice Age Giants

Ice Age Giants

7.3
2013
TV Show

Professor Alice Roberts journeys 40,000 years back in time on the trail of the great beasts of the Ice Age. This was the last time that giants like mammoths, woolly rhinos, and sabre-tooth cats ruled the Earth and Alice attempts to reconstruct their lives in incredible detail.

Ice Age Giants

2013
7.3
Apocalypse: World War I

Apocalypse: World War I

7.7
2014
TV Show

Colorized historical footage in ascending order of World War 1. Not only the relatively known Flanders and France battles, but also the generally unknown Italian-Austrian, German-Polish-Russian, Japanese-German, Ottoman Empire- Allied and African German Colonies, and other unknown or forgotten fronts and battles.

Apocalypse: World War I

2014
7.7
Penguins on a Plane: Great Animal Moves

Penguins on a Plane: Great Animal Moves

2014
TV Show

Penguins on a Plane: Great Animal Moves follows the expert handlers entrusted with transporting some of the world's most precious and challenging cargo safely to their destinations.

Penguins on a Plane: Great Animal Moves

2014
Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Darwin's Dangerous Idea

8.0
2009
TV Show

Andrew Marr explores how Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has taken on a life of its own far beyond the world of science.

Darwin's Dangerous Idea

2009
8.0
Live Not by Lies!

Live Not by Lies!

2025
TV Show

Survivors of Soviet totalitarianism warn that “soft totalitarianism” is emerging in the U.S. Identity politics, censorship, surveillance, and secularism are encroaching on freedoms. Many American Christians fail to see the threat. Based on Rod Dreher’s book, Live Not by Lies explores these dangers and offers a wake-up call for thoughtful, faithful resistance against the erosion of liberties.

Live Not by Lies!

2025
THE LEVELING OF SOLO LEVELING

THE LEVELING OF SOLO LEVELING

6.8
2024
TV Show

A two-part documentary that aims to explore the many incarnations of Solo Leveling, from its creation to the worldwide premiere events for the anime adaptation.

THE LEVELING OF SOLO LEVELING

2024
6.8
Planet Earth

Planet Earth

8.6
2006
TV Show

David Attenborough celebrates the amazing variety of the natural world in this epic documentary series, filmed over four years across 64 different countries.

Planet Earth

2006
8.6
Testament: The Story of Moses

Testament: The Story of Moses

7.3
2024
TV Show

This illuminating docudrama series chronicles Moses' remarkable life as a prince, prophet and more with insights from theologians and historians.

Testament: The Story of Moses

2024
7.3
Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies

Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies

5.2
2022
TV Show

For the first time on camera, Casey Anthony sits down to share her side of the story since her culture-defining trial and acquittal 11 years ago.

Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies

2022
5.2
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez

Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez

7.2
2020
TV Show

Via interviews with friends, players and insiders, this docuseries examines how Aaron Hernandez went from an NFL star to a convicted killer.

Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez

2020
7.2
Yellowstone: One-Fifty

Yellowstone: One-Fifty

7.9
2022
TV Show

On the 150th anniversary of its founding, Kevin Costner explores Yellowstone National Park to find out if it's still as wild and untouched as it was on the day of its birth, and looks back at the events that led to its preservation.

Yellowstone: One-Fifty

2022
7.9
Who Killed Jenni Rivera?

Who Killed Jenni Rivera?

4.0
2022
TV Show

A celebration of the life and an exploration of the mysterious death of award-winning Latin superstar Jenni Rivera. Through intimate footage and interviews delving into the still undetermined causes of the horrific 2012 crash of her plane outside Monterrey, Mexico, it provides an in-depth look at the real story and continuing questions behind the accident and events leading up to it.

Who Killed Jenni Rivera?

2022
4.0