Introduction

On Wings of Eagles 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.

Outline

Set in Iran after the fall of the Shah. All American businesses pull out and among them is Ross Perot’s EDS systems. Two of his employees Paul Chiapparone and Bill Gaylord are detained. The Iranians then demand millions for their release. When it seems apparent that the Iranians are not going to release them, some of Perot’s people offers to go there and get them. They ask Perot for someone to teach them what to do and Perot asks retired Army Colonel Arthur “Bull” Simons if he can help them. Simons then tries to teach a bunch of executives to be soldiers. They all go into Iran and try to find a way to get them out.

• Part 01.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Andrew V. McLaglen.
• Producer(s): Lynn Raynor, Edgar J. Scherick, Michael Barnathan, and Jeffrey A. Nelson.
• Writer(s): Ken Follett and Sam Rolfe.
• Music: Laurence Rosenthal.
• Cinematography: Robert Steadman.
• Editor(s): Alan Strachan.
• Production: Edgar J. Scherick Associates and TAFT Entertainment Pictures.
• Distributor(s): National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (TV) and Worldvision Home Video (VHS).
• Release Date: 19 May 1986.
• Running Time: 300 minutes (241 minutes video).
• Country: US.
• Language: English.