Azorian: The Raising of the K-129

Azorian: The Raising of the K-129 is a documentary film released in 2010 that tells the story of one of the greatest and most secretive technological achievements of the Cold War era: the CIA's top-secret Operation Azorian. The film chronicles the events leading up to the operation, the actual recovery mission, and the aftermath of the daring mission.

The story behind Azorian began in 1968, when the Soviet Union's K-129 submarine mysteriously disappeared while on patrol in the Pacific Ocean. The submarine was carrying ballistic missiles that could have devastated the United States if launched. The US Navy searched for the wreckage of the submarine for six weeks but failed to find it.

Several years later, in the mid-1970s, the CIA undertook a highly classified operation to recover the wreckage of the K-129. The operation, dubbed Project Azorian, is widely considered one of the most audacious and technically impressive feats in modern history.

Azorian: The Raising of the K-129 features interviews with key individuals involved in the operation, including former CIA officers, engineers, and naval personnel. The film provides a fascinating and in-depth look at the ingenious and complex technology used in the operation, which included a massive underwater capture vehicle that was used to hoist the wreckage of the submarine to the surface.

The film also delves into the political and social implications of the operation, including the Soviet Union's reaction to the news that the US had successfully retrieved the wreckage. The documentary highlights the inner workings of US intelligence agencies and showcases the importance of collaboration between government, military, and private industry in achieving technological advancements.

The filmmakers did an excellent job of capturing the excitement and tension of the operation, using a combination of archival footage, interviews, and reenactments to bring the story to life. The film is expertly edited, and the pacing is excellent, making it a riveting watch from start to finish.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the sheer scale of the operation. The recovery effort required the construction of a massive ship, the Hughes Glomar Explorer, which was designed to lower a massive claw-like capture vehicle more than three miles below the surface of the ocean to retrieve the wreckage.

Azorian: The Raising of the K-129 is a remarkable documentary that sheds light on an incredible event in Cold War history. It is a testament to human ingenuity and technological advancement, underscoring the importance of never underestimating the capabilities of intelligence agencies.

Overall, Azorian: The Raising of the K-129 is a thrilling and informative film that tells an essential story in modern history. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in Cold War history, espionage, intelligence, and technology.