Salvador (1986)

After seeing Salvador, here's one more place I don't want to visit. Screen writing great Stone, who makes reads so interesting, has made that abundantly. Although it has a crammed feel of story, one can't shy their away from the intensity this movies brings. The only reason I didn't see this at the cinema, was I had seen The Killing Fields a year before, where I thought like that excellent film, this was gonna be just like it,, but there's a lot of nice little things here, that make it different from that. I actually like this movie better than Platoon. James Woods is at his acting best, as a womanizing loser, once famous journalist Richard Boyle, who cons and weasels his way through life (the dangling coin on the string inserted in into the payphone slot I loved). He's a reckless sort with outstanding fines, and a much due rent. Now his Italian girlfriend's taken off back to her home town. His best friend has just bailed him out. He's in the doghouse too. Where do they head: El Salvador. Director Stone doesn't hold back on frank images, some moments will truly disturb viewers, two I won't mention, another one involves the rape and murder of some missionary girls, which I do say touched the gulliver. Boyle rekindling an old relationship, with a young Salvadorian girl marries her and tries to get her out of the country, where her fate lies in the end of the movie, I guess. All actors deliver top floor performances, Belushi as Dr Rock, the always wonderful John Savage as a budding award winning photographer John Cassidy, Tony Plana as the discreetly and corrupt Major Max, though I really didn't think Michael Murphy was that good as the ambassador, putting too little into his performance, where too Juan Fernandez was hauntingly scary as Smiling death. Salvador had some terrifying moments, a lot as Wood's fate was concerned. It's a scary place, and one place to stay well clear of. Opening soundtrack by Giorgio Moroder.

Fmovies: 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.

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

Salvador fmovies. 'Salvador' is the extremely controversial filmmaker, Oliver Stone's, first film, and is it any surprise it has to do with politics? Yes, pretty much all of Mr. Stone's films have a strong political message in them (for example: JFK, Nixon, Born on the Fourth of July, Natural Born Killers, Heaven & Earth, Wall Street, etc.) His first major film (not counting his dreadfully mediocre low-budget debut horror film 'The Hand), 'Salvador' explores and follows the conflict of military dictatorship and genocide taking place in El Salvador in the year 1980. Although it's a very in-your-face picture and has to do with debatable political hardships, 'Salvador' is a great, powerful and heart wrenching picture that will stay with you a long time after you view it. Even though 'Salvador' is one of Oliver Stone's least famous flicks, it ranks up there with one of his best films.

The movie chronicles the life of real-life photojournalist Rick Boyle (played by James Woods). Boyle's life is falling apart all around him and he's almost completely broke, so he decides to go to El Salvador, to kick it with his best friend, Doctor Rock (played by SNL alumni James Belushi). Boyle and Doc Rock figure El Salvador will be the perfect vacation place, but what they don't realize is that the country going through one of the most violent acts of genocide in world history will effect them. In El Salvador, Boyle meets up with his girlfriend, a native, Maria (Elphidia Carillo), an old friend whose a reporter from Newsday, John Cassady (Carnivale's John Savage), and Cathy Moore, a Catholic nun who works as a lay worker (Cynthia Gibb). While relaxing in the so-called paradise, Boyle begins to realize the atrocities around him and makes a hard decision to try to make a difference, severely risking his life and the lives of the people around him.

'Salvador' isn't a masterpiece, but it's a film of such ferocious power and intensity that it's impossible not to notice. The real life Rick Boyle and Oliver Stone round out a scorching screenplay, and Stone does an awesome job behind the camera. James Woods is magnificent as Boyle, and deserved his Oscar nomination. John Belushi not only provides us with a usual comedic performance, but puts in a lot of dramatic aspects to his character showing that Belushi has more depth than most people realize as an actor. John Savage, post-Deer Hunter, is a pleasure to watch as always, and Independent Spirit Award Nominee Elphidia Carillo, turns in a fine performance as Boyle's love interest. The film also features Michael Murphy as the U.S. ambassador in El Salvador.

When it all is over, 'Salvador' proves to be a great film, but not an excellent one. The film has minor flaws like dragging a little, and sometimes not getting down to the point. It's Stone's first film (second if you count that crap, 'The Hand), and he does a damn fine job with it. If you haven't already, and don't mind a powerhouse of a film, go to your local videostore and rent 'Salvador'. Trust me, you'll like it. Grade: B+

MADE MY TOP 300 LIST AT #238

Salvador is a revelation. incredible movie about the horrors of US intervention in the third world.

however, stone would have been better off simply showing the situation instead of subjecting the viewer to long drawn out monologues. i think most viewers groaned when michael douglas launched into his "So Bud, do you think we're living in a democracy" speech in WALLSTREET, and there are a few such sermons here.

stone should watch THREE KINGS to see how it's done. let the viewer make his own conclusions instead of pounding him over the head with pre-fab ones.

for those who think the interventions in salvador, Vietnam, cambodia, laos, philippines, etc were justified, they probably have not been to any of these places. granted it was the cold war... which is the excuse that is generally used... but the cold war is over and US policy has not changed in the slightest. the US is always at war, the cold war, the war on drugs, the war on terror, it goes on and on.

anyone with a conscience should see SALVADOR, the world's first (and last?) political roadtrip movie. this is belushi's and woods' finest hour.

The cinematic equivalent of being busted in the chops over and over again until you can only fall, this, along with his TALK RADIO, is Oliver Stone's masterpiece.

It is one of the most driven dramas I have ever witnessed, a work propelled by anger, a burning sense of justice and fiery humanism. It depicts a corrupt, murdering regime with savage focus and makes no dramatic concessions to the incendiary material.

Financed slightly outside the Hollywood system, it boasts a dozen extraordinary performances and a brand of camera-work (by Stone regular Robert Richardson) that expertly marries documentary-style coverage to classic composition.

SALVADOR has so much to say, but it concludes having not said it all because it hasn't the time.

It's quite incredible.