Romero

Archbishop Oscar Romero was a priest who was went to Archbishop in El Salvador. During that time, the new bishop speaks out against the death squads that harmed the streets of El Salvador. The terror campaign, the government was using to crushed the warfare that is being waged against them. That is the true story set-up for Romero. Romero starts out with a campaign from the government people and their leaders. Raul Julia gives a memorable performance as the Archbishop who struggled to stop the genocide from occurring. This also leads to disloyalty against the churches of El Salvador. Only one man will stepped in and make it stop and listen to the truth. Romero was assassinated in March, 1980. It is a powerful movie to watch as we see the horrific details of this atrocity. I seen this movie in my History class. Oscar Romero is one of the least known subject in a History class. While the actual Romero moved El Salvador, I was moved by Raul Julia's performance. Romero is one of those political dramas that really grab the audiences and put them inside the real world of the movie. It is a must-see. ★★★ 1/2 3 1/2 stars

Raul Julia gives his routine wonderful performance as Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, capital of El Salvador, playground of right-wing paramilitary militia sponsored by successive military juntas subsidized by the CIA and successive US Administrations. Archbishop Romero slowly evolved from a bookworm to a politically aware activist as he came to realize what the military regimes were doing to the poor of his country. He paid the ultimate price willingly. Unlike today's cowards, who proclaim martyrdom and kill themselves and a few or many others in the name of some sterile ideology, Romero accepted martyrdom in the name of a living gospel he deeply believed in, in order to save lives, not to take them. Julia looks absolutely nebbish in his glasses, and proves his genius as a thespian. Alas, he is not with us any longer, so that pretty boys of 2005 can only watch his films and learn how to act. Highly recommended film, especially for the vast majority of US citizens who think that Ronald Reagan and his ilk actually did good things in El Salvador, Nicaragua and other places in America.

Although not a very well made movie (the writing and editing are especially weak) the late Raul Julia's performance is stunning, as are the performances of many of his supporting cast. The journey his character (and presumably the actual archbishop Romero) makes from innocence to awareness is deeply moving and very convincing. His story is remarkable and well worth forgiving the director and editor for not realizing it's full potential. The impact is in Julia's performance and you'll be with him from the moment he fills the screen. Probably one of Raul Julia's most remarkable performances. Another performance worth note is that of the late Richard Jordan who, as Father Grande, helps lead the archbishop to an awareness of the suffering of his people.

This film shows clearly how the great archbishop learned of the atrocities of his government and how he eventually came to side against them. Romero was not a Marxist or a member of the FMLN, he was a liberation theologist, which contained elements of Marxism but ultimately is not Marxism. One user here wrote a comment that the film was a propaganda piece, completely ignoring communist atrocities. With the exception of FARC and shining path, the US's beloved right-wing dictatorships were responsible for the overwhelming majority of murders. 70,000 were killed in El Salvador, across the border in Guatemala 200,000 were killed. These are only two examples of many other in Latin America. If you want to understand the beginnings of what would become genocide in El Salvador in the 80s, or even just to see the commitment of a great man to the poor and actually carry out what Jesus asked then see this movie. PS - Romero will not be canonized, the current Pope waged a virtual war against liberation theologists, almost eradicating them from the church. What would you expect from a Nazi youth?

Raul Julia is perfect as Archbishop Oscar Romero, a man who was transformed by dire circumstances in El Salvador in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The military controlled government was in charge and the Roman Catholic Church looked the other way at the atrocities. Romero fought for the rights of the working poor and , as a result, was targeted by those in control. The ending is horrible and even as a former Catholic, I was deeply affected by this beautiful and moving film.

"Romero" is about injustice in the world but presents this theme without "preaching." It draws in the viewer through the excellent performance of Raul Julia (rest his soul! he is missed!). "Romero" is also about class differences and the intolerance of the powerful towards social change. It's a great film for teaching Americans about what life is like in the rest of the world. It's a Hollywood film that managed not to go Hollywood.

Even though the situation has changed considerably in El Salvador, this movie is still very enjoyable. I've seen it shortly after it was released and I just saw it again. Same verdict. Very good movie. Raul Julia is simply fabulous as Romero, the Archbishop who was talking about peace while it seems everybody else was talking about war. The final scene in the church is unforgettable. 7 out of 10.

This was a pretty good film, about the real life story of the archbishop of EL Salvador, Oscar Romero. Raul Julia gives a good performance as the title character. The music is effective and interesting; at times it sounds almost like helicopter blades. If you close your eyes when you watch the beginning, you could almost think this film was about Vietnam. Some aspects of this film were not that great though. Some scenes appeared to be cut off too early or in odd ways.

Raul Julia's finest moment as an actor was also one of the finest Latin American-themed films of all time. Julia portrayed the diligent bishop Oscar Romero with an aplomb which few actors could have embodied. Sadly, this film ends up as nothing but a blip on the map. Few people have actually experienced the power and creativity placed into this film. Perhaps it was too political or too dark, what ever the reason, it will remain one of my favorite films of all time. Perhaps years from now, the appreciation this movie deserves will be given to it.

source: Romero