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

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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[ronneyrendon]

"Young people will always look for answers." Beautiful and so well said.

[yourfutureisnow]

You don't know what you've got, until its gone.

[aspetm]

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.

[meb]

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.

[samuels]

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.

[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.

[latharna]

Respect and Love to Iran from Éire 🇮🇪 🇮🇷(Ireland)

[benyaminpishdad]

The Shah( King) is always immortal in the hearts of Iranian people ❤🙏🕊️💐👑❤

[roujin_]

Thank you for making this, as an iranian its really good to see people learning more about iran. Especially with the recent events happening..

[milenacukic]

Persepolis was famous in ancient history, it is just that somehow we forget or stop learning about that ancient world. The father of Schach and the way how he got to power is another story, but each country should remember its history... which is always good to learn from

[guxlvdt]

Best regards from Iran to your grave in Egypt my father, after you we missed missed everything

[hctunhu]

37:53 Hits so hard. God bless this man and his family.. "Young people will always look for answers." Beautiful and so well said..

[paololuckyluke]

Events like these are done as an investment, where great deals are sealed; unfortunately, any deals made here could not come to fruition as a result of the revolution.

[vaphiadis]

Ι met a young man in his 30s in Greece, from Persia/Iran 3 years ago . He told he he left for a better life but would be murdered if he returned .

[MORENA]

Outstanding documentary! Understanding Iran. Culture and traditions.

[mariannekraaijeveld]

It is a very interesting learned a lot that I did not know off.
Thank you 🙏

[amnika]

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

[trishdelacour]

Absolutely facinating documentary!!!! Have seen a few docs on the Shah but loved all the old footage and interviews from the different sides in this one. Excellent!

[renlysotherlover]

Imagine how prosperous Iran would be in the world today if it were still being governed by the Shah’s. A real travesty for the entire region

[EustaquioSantimano]

Very good documentary ! Many of us were sad to hear the news that the Shah of Iran exiled in 1979. Love from India.