Decadence and Downfall In Iran: The Greatest Party In History | Real Stories

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Published 2022-11-01
In 1971, the Shah of Iran, the self-proclaimed 'king of kings', celebrated 2,500 years of the Persian monarchy by throwing the greatest party in history. Money was no object - a lavish tent city, using 37km of silk, was erected in a specially created oasis. The world's top restaurant at the time, Maxim's, closed its doors for two weeks to cater the event, a five-course banquet served to over sixty of the world's kings, queens and presidents, and washed down with some of the rarest wines known to man.

Over a decadent five-day period, guests were treated to a pageant of thousands of soldiers dressed in ancient Persian costume, a 'son et lumiere' at the foot of Darius the Great's temple, and the opening of the Azadi Tower in Tehran, designed to honour the Shah himself.

Every party leaves a few hangovers. This one left a country reeling, never to recover. It crystallised the opposition, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini. More than any other event, this party marked the break between the king of kings and the people of Iran he reigned over. A Storyville documentary.

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All Comments (21)
  • @samuels8167
    What Shah spent on celebration of the 2500th year of Iranian monarchy was a fraction of what Ayatollahs spent a decade later on their war against Iraq.
  • @ronneyrendon
    "Young people will always look for answers." Beautiful and so well said.
  • @aspetm3846
    In Shah's time (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi), we Armenians as a small minority had every rights and good opportunity for living, education, cloture, religion and many others which you couldn't find many other places so we are always appreciated to have a kinds of good life style in Iran before backward anti Iranian movement of 1979.
  • @latharna67
    Respect and Love to Iran from Éire 🇮🇪 🇮🇷(Ireland)
  • @emalebrian
    I was travelling overland in 1977, and for 1 month, through Iran . I was amazed how warm and friendly the people were, how happy and liberated the country was compared to Afghanistan, which I arrived from. Only old women would wear a vale. I never saw beggars in the street. I remember, buildings going up everywhere and instead of building a road around a mountain,there was a tunnel through a mountain many kilometres long. It was impressive. Now we have one of the most violent and delusional governments, being the major sponsor of terrorism. Congratulations to and long live the women of Iran and their quest for freedom.
  • @meb6625
    Shah is our beloved and amazing king. we owe everything Iran has today to him and his father Reza Pahlavi. People wanted Religion back then and now they have it, you can't even breath without getting lashes.
  • @evasmith2705
    My friend just visited Iran with her son, a second time in a few years. Iranian people are nice and friendly , the country is beautiful , they said. They were in the northwestern part of Iran. Love from Hungary.
  • @roujin_3884
    Thank you for making this, as an iranian its really good to see people learning more about iran. Especially with the recent events happening..
  • @johnfisher247
    I remember the Shah. He was intelligent, well mannered and cultured. He spoke very good French. His overthrow was a disaster for Iran.
  • Great docu, I just wanted to watch 5 min and was hooked all through it. Thank u
  • @user-hc1tu5nh1u
    37:53 Hits so hard. God bless this man and his family.. "Young people will always look for answers." Beautiful and so well said..
  • @toniclarke118
    Khomeini destroyed Iran. One of the most beautiful countries in the world. It had everything, Persians are the kindest most generous people I have ever met.
  • @sepideh1111
    Shah worked very hard to end poverty in Iran. They gave nutritious food to children in schools all over the country. They gave free fridges and stoves to poor people so they can survive. There were extensive plans to provide healthcare, clean water, and education to everybody. He couldn't finish what he had started because they didn't let him. I went to Persepolis, Shiraz as a child and later, It seemed very safe and not out of the way at all, many people were there. Persians need accurate information about our history. Shah and his father the Great Reza Shah were amazing people who improved Iran significantly.
  • @Boomhauersdad
    Love seeing a non biased approach to this. Thank you. You don’t know how much this is appreciated these days
  • @blotzkrog
    38:10 As an Iranian I cry every damn time in pride.... one of the most touching recorded moments in the history of my land
  • @sepideh1111
    I wish he hadn't left Iran , that was a demonstration of power which wasn't a good idea . He underestimated his enemies especially molas . He said after he leaves people will wash the walls with tears, which was true
  • @amnika2536
    Iranians are such beautiful people and they had an amazing future! I understand what this man wanted to do and he tried to do it for his people
  • Best regards from Iran to your grave in Egypt my father,after you we missed Iran,live,life.......we missed everything
  • @javagirl
    Well done, provides lots of important details and perspectives .