Salvador

source: Salvador

Trailer—Salvador

Salvador

Salvador is Oliver's Stone's best movie. This was a low budget movie and the last one Stone made before Platoon. This is a guerilla movie in the true sense of the work. A movie made about a guerilla revolt in El Salvador and one American journalist's story during that revolution; and made on in a guerilla style with a lot of hand-helded shots and local Mexican atmosphere and actors. James Wood and Jim Belushi are excellent. Except for the politics and an acid trip scene, this film is very gritty and real. Now it does have a frat boy road trip aspect, but that only adds a comic touch that is almost endearing at times. Set against the brutality of the civil war of El Salvador, the comedy helps keep the movie from being overly harsh and pedantic, which Mr. Stone tends to want to lean towards in portraying the politics of the time and place. Thankfully Mr. Stone is more interesting in entertaining then preaching in this movie, and with the excellent acting accomplishes this goal.

Compelling civil war drama by Oliver Stone with a great James Woods (as well as a great Jim Belushi). Stone's best films have always been his highly political ones, and this is no exception. Brutal, realistic portrayal of the conflict in El Salvador and America's implications. This is one to re-discover by film fans as it seems to have fallen a bit into obscurity over the years. Highly recommended: 8 stars out of 10. In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites: imdb.com/list/ls070242495

Like most Stone movies, it's made while stoned, so the exposition is rather convoluted and not all that interesting. Early on I was bored. I know there are many good reviews for this movie, but I found it silly and contrived. The Story. A journalist, down on his luck in the US, drives to El Salvador to chronicle the events of the 1980 military dictatorship, including the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. He forms an uneasy alliance with both guerrillas in the countryside who want him to get pictures out to the US press, and the right-wing military, who want him to bring them photographs of the rebels. Meanwhile he has to find a way of protecting his Salvadorean girlfriend and getting her out of the country.

SALVADOR (1986) ***1/2 James Woods, Jim Belushi, Elpidia Carrillo, John Savage, Michael Murphy, Cindy Gibb. Woods, (Best Actor nominee, in arguably his finest performance), is Richard Boyle a conniving, amoral, fast-talking on his feet weasel/anti-hero photojournalist who winds up hip deep in the moral quagmire of the civil war/revolution of El Salvador facing the ultimate harrowing tragedies at face value and a lot of vitriol. Expertly shot by Oliver Stone, who also did the screenplay based on the real-life Boyle's account of the travesties he witnessed with eye opening clarity amidst the muck and mire. Belushi is also memorable as Woods' stoned disc jockey hippie burnout Dr. Rock as is Savage as a fellow chronicle keeper/comrade-in-arms.

I must admit I love the first 90 minutes, the last half hour was a bit sad and hard to watch otherwise masterpiece! James Woods and James Belushi were incredible although I have seen Belushi as more of a comedic roles so this was odd to me. Oliver Stone is among my favorite directors ever - His films are masterful in most cases.

In the beginning the viewer thinks he has stumbled upon a road-trip gone wrong movie; this initial impression is strengthened by the presence of James Belushi, in a fantastic comedic/dramatic role. However, Stone ratchets up the tension in this political thriller as events escalate and force the protagonists to make difficult choices and take sides... an incredible film and memorable performances by Belushi and James Woods, who plays the ultimate cynic. a must see film.

Before i watched this movie i knew nothing about the troubles in El Salvador.This opened my eyes to the rein of terror that went on there ( And still does as far as i know). Salvador is a very Graphic movie that does not shirk on showing the bloodshed and trauma suffered. It is a superb debut movie by Oliver Stone which only became a taster of things to come.I enjoyed this film even though the subject matter was fairly heavy not to mention politically complex. 7 out of 10