Salvador [1985]

On the DVD: Without spoiling the plot, the original trailer is so compelling it makes you want to watch the film again even if you've just seen it. The are four deleted/extended scenes which add a little more political background--unfortunately the legendary orgy/severed-ears seen is not among them. Parts, though not the whole of this scene, appear in the exceptionally good 62-minute retrospective documentary which covers the extraordinary making of the film and the horrors of the political background in depth (a technical advisor was shot dead on a tennis court). Oliver Stone delivers the best commentary tracks around and this is no exception as he presents a masterclass in gonzo-guerrilla filmmaking. There is also a gallery of 46 behind-the-scenes stills. Given the circumstances, Robert Richardson's cinematography is miraculously accomplished and, excepting some grain, transfers to DVD, anamorphically enhanced at 1.77:1, very well. The original low-budget sound has made the transition to three-channel Dolby Digital with style, George Delerue's machine-gun score having real urgency and the action being appropriately chaotic. --Gary S Dalkin

Salvador tells the true story of Richard Boyle, a photographer and journalist played magnificently and charismatically by the highly underrated James Wood. The character is dislikeable but is complimented by his drug-fuelled sidekick played by Jim Belushi.

With such a controversial and gritty subject matter it needed a Director to give it some edge. Oliver Stone does this superbly, he delves into an upsetting storyline, which many people try not to think about, it’s a very controversial film, which Oliver Stone is recognised for. It shows the atrocities of war and is handled without any sympathy for the viewer, dead bodies are everywhere and a strong political statement is made, showing what a mess was being made in El Salvador at the time and how the public were not made aware of this subject matter.

It is a very powerful movie and nothing tries to deter that, there are very controversial scenes and it is not for the weak hearted but this is what helps it in being such a powerful movie. It isn’t discussed as much as some of Oliver’s other work, but it is by no means not as good. I would consider it way up there with platoon and JFK, if not better. Stunning and an absolute must see.


The oliver stone you overlooked   December 14, 2005
Mark J Linehan (Bristol United Kingdom)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

WHAT A MASTERPIECE! An unrelenting rollercoater of a ride that tightens your attention with every scene.

After a remarkable and aggresisve opening score that hints at what is ahead, there follows an easy and uncomplicated start introducing the anti hero, the washed up amoral photo journalist Richard Boyle (James Woods) casually making one final throw of his career dice: a trip with Doctor Rock (James Belushi) to El Salvador to cover growing civil unrest. Within minutes the ride accelerates; through Wood's camera lens, all the characters of a civil war unfold (the secret police/the innocent/the soldiers/the church/the death squads/the culture of both sides). The genius of Stone here is that he perfectly combines the micro (the effect on individual emotions and daily lives) with the bigger issues (the method of decision making and impact of US foreign policy). There are a few big twists along the way and they are shocking and yes, depressing. John Savage gives a great performance as the fearless war photographer John Cassady. The approach to the climax is gripping - as civil war intesifies, Stone focuses the lens further into Woods: his changing emotions, his move from an observer to a participating victim, his frantic attempts to help those around him. The pace just gets faster with every minute.

Overall, a film that sharpely portrays individual brutality and abuse of power. Clearly there is a political message that Stone is pressing - the impact of US foreign policy militarily supporting a corrupt government against the wishes of a democratic majority (topical!). Is it historically accurate? Is it propaganda? What we do know is that the movie had an advisor who was killed in El Salvador during production. Perhaps it should be taken at face value - a brilliant piece of film making.

My favourite scene: "HEFE, IMPORTANTO!!"


a knew slant on war films   October 10, 2003
richard (Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I rate this as highly as platoon. I think part of the reason this film is so great is James Woods, he is easily one of the deadpan funniest guys out there but he is such a good actor he handles even the emotional scenes brilliantly... Top film !!


HUGELY OVER-RATED   July 20, 2003
4 out of 40 found this review helpful

Sorry to spoil the consensus but this is Stone's worst film for me. A gross caricature of a horrific period in Latin America. It's virtually impossible to take the leading characters seriously they are so overplayed and unsympathetic, and this eliminates any possibility of taking the scenes portrayed seriously. The action, while trying to represent serious and momentous events, lacks weight as a result. The scene portraying the assasination of a leading cleric - a seminal event in the country's history - is so badly done it's offensive. Like watching some absurd French film-making creation of the 1960s or early 1970s - it might well mean something to you if you're a burned-out journo on hard drugs for the last two decades, but otherwise forget it. Try Under Fire.