Iran Builds A Giant | 1 of 3

This film depicts one of Iran's key modernization projects with the building of the Karadj Dam in the years 1957-1961.

Our father, the only American visible in the film, had described its production to me during my youth, but he had never seen it. For his birthday in 1982, I had contacted the Morrison-Knudsen company in Boise, Idaho to see if it remained in their archives. A very kind and knowledgeable person there not only remembered the film, but offered to convert it from the original 16mm film stock to (the then common) VHS format.

It reflects, with its dated images and focus on the "mechanics" of dam construction and the then popularity of hydro-electric power generation, a much different time.

It seems odd, given our childhood memories of living in Iran, how our respective governments could have come so far from active cooperation to aggressive conflict.

In any event, I recall the Iranian people as being kind and respectful and generous and excited about their future. I suspect - and hope - that remains.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Iran
• Builds
• Giant

[nimrooo]

"It seems odd, given our childhood memories of living in Iran, how our respective governments could have come so far from active cooperation to aggressive conflict."

active cooperation? You call the coup of 54 cooperation? cooperation my ass. The US has been Iran's biggest enemy, even more than the mullahs.

[MultiMaaaa]

i love it thanks so much

[johnwaynetheduke]

Priceless clip. This dam was our pride and joy back in the good old days. It sustained life in Karadj and surroundings. Thanks to America and more importantly thanks to the late Shah of Iran for his visionary leadership in bringing Iran out of the medieval state into a modern one. Much to our chagrin, that course was reversed by the arrival of the barbaric mullahs! From one Iranian-American who lived off of this dam may god bless your father and all those who had a hand in creating this beauty!