Salvador (1986)
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Synopsis: Oliver Stone's first overtly political film, SALVADOR is a passionate protest against the savagery unleashed by fascist thugs in El Salvador during the early 1980s with the complicity of the U.S. government. It stars James Woods as combat photojournalist Richard Boyle, an erratic,... Oliver Stone's first overtly political film, SALVADOR is a passionate protest against the savagery unleashed by fascist thugs in El Salvador during the early 1980s with the complicity of the U.S. government. It stars James Woods as combat photojournalist Richard Boyle, an erratic, cynical character with a taste for all things chemical. Hearing rumors of war, he and Dr. Rock (Jim Belushi), another free spirit, head for El Salvador by car. After viewing a right-wing officer's collection of severed ears and photographing a corpse-strewn garbage dump with ace photographer John Cassady (John Savage), Boyle realizes that the situation is much worse than advertised in the American press. He recognizes familiar faces among the ubiquitous U.S. military brass and CIA personnel from his stint in Vietnam, but they're predictably reluctant to discuss the reasons for their presence, especially with the outrageous Boyle. As the journalist becomes involved with a Salvadoran native named Maria (Elpedia Carrillo) and observes the selfless dedication of his humanitarian worker friend Cathy (Cindy Gibb), compassion and outrage slowly begin to replace his cynicism. When Boyle swears to the dying Cassady that he'll get his crucial photos out of the country, he realizes that he must also try to get Maria out before she too becomes a statistic. Woods gives a brilliantly incendiary seriocomic performance in this wild, lacerating, and bitterly observant film. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: James Woods, James Belushi, John Savage, Kara Glover, Elpidia Carrillo
DVD Info
Release:
Jun 5, 2001
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Featurette - 1. MAKING OF SALVADOR
- Audio Commentary - 1. Oliver Stone - Director
- Deleted Scenes
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Stills/Photos - 1. Gallery
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
Though structurally messy and with uneven dialogue, Stone's independent movie captures vividly the cool, rush, and hysteria of jaded leftist American journos in the political chaos of El Slavaodr in 1980-81; James Woods Oscar-nominated turn is brilliant
One of Oliver Stone’s best films, and absolutely James Woods’ best performance.
[The] crime spree feels more like bored rich kids on a joy ride than committed leftie intellectuals hastening regime change.
One look at the youthful, idealistic guerrillas, accompanied everywhere by folk music, and you know where Mr. Stone's heart lies.
Oliver Stone's gripping depiction of turmoil in Central America is bolstered by Wood's mesmerising performance as a burned out reporter.
Raw, gripping, edgy and enthralling, this is one of Stone’s best and most powerful works.


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