Salvador Reviews and Ratings



  • November 16, 2009
    Best Original Screenplay 1986
  • October 21, 2009
    Wow...has to be one of the best journalist war movies out there. I reckon this is the best Oliver Stone film ive seen so far.
  • October 8, 2009
    Episodic to a fault, yet still engrossing.
  • August 29, 2009
    Together with the INCREDIBLE photography of that God amongst mere photogs, that Bang-Bang savant, and 'Lude lover, Kevin Carter, I have this movie to thank for helping me to decide which career to chose - Medicine or Photojournalism.
    I've always loved writing, and always wanted ...( read more)a career involving some sort of artistic expression, and the first time I watched this movie (in my early teens, when I was going through a more rebellious, anarchic, marxist, guerrila phase than I have ever gone through) the kind of career that involved getting up close and personal with those types who made Yasar Arafat scarves, aviators, and che / fidel hats look so unbelievably awesome, while brandishing Kaleshnikovs and pangas and taking over obscure South and Central American, Eastern European, and African countries (only to turn them into a new fascist dictatorial regime, backed by a new capitalist (possibly pseudo-marxist) global giant), look positively orgasmic in its awesomeness!!!
    Then I watched the movie again, and again, and again, and I realised that there are at least 2 types of humanitarians in a crisis situation: there is the humanitarian who feeds the starving child, pours water and throws blankets over the flames spewing from the self-immolating Buddhist monk, and does everything they can to stop the gang of angry vigilantes killing the man who may or may not be from an opposing political party; then their is the humanitarian who takes picture of all of the above situations - he may sound callous and warped, but his job is a fuckload more difficult, probably more important (he is afterall broadcasting to the world the atrocities that the first humanitarian is, in a sense, destroying the proof of), and requires a lot more courage.
    Thanks to this movie, and, as I mentioned before, the INCREDIBLE work of Kevin Carter, I realised I lack the balls to be the second type of humanitarian, and would be quite happy and comfortable helping out where I can as humanitarian number 1...
    Back to the actual movie though - AMAZING storyline; SUPERB acting (this movie made me LOVE James Woods, James Belushi, and John Savage (although I already loved him from Hair and Deer Hunter); AWE-INSPIRING cinematography; and freakin' amazing locations - wowie San Salvador is a beautiful place!!!
  • August 25, 2009
    Has-been gonzo journalist James Woods sees the civil unrest in El Salvador as a opportunity to make some money but when his Salvadoran girlfriend and her family become embroiled in the violence his attitudes soon change. Salvador is a damning criticism of the US' continued and s...( read more)hameful interference in the affairs of foreign countries. The Reagan era saw the US giving aid to any despot or monster for the sole reason of the fact they were not part of the communist "threat", and funded the military junta in El Salvador despite their atrocious human rights record. The core of the film is Woods' tirade against the US' "military adviser": "Yes I'm left wing but that doesn't make me a communist! When will you people learn to tell the difference?" Showing many of the horrific events of the conflict with honesty and passion, Woods is perfect for the part and is ably supported by John Savage as a photo journalist looking for the "perfect shot" and James Belushi as his debauched companion. The only real flaw is that amidst Stone's heartfelt preaching he forgets the human element, the plot barrelling along with little thought for pacing or emotional connection with the characters. It's a thought provoking and well made film however, and probably Stone's best work.
  • August 5, 2009
    Salvador is a 1986 film which tells the story of an American journalist in El Salvador covering the Salvadoran civil war. While trying to get footage, he becomes entangled with both leftist guerrillas and the right wing military.
  • April 25, 2009
    This is so "not me". I don't like anything about this film, yet I find it compelling. I don't like the generic categories that this film could be described in, but its precise realization, and especially the fast-paced constant talk, captivated me.
  • February 27, 2009
    im looking forward to see this movie!
  • February 25, 2009
    Wonderful movie about journalists!!!! MUT SEE IT!!!
  • February 19, 2009
    Well, this is the kind of movie I usually really like. And this one comes pretty close to that top level, but the end kills it all for me. It is a perfect companion piece to the protagonist, where you get that early version verite before these type of films were en vogue. Wait, t...( read more)hat?s too much non-English when my American English ain?t neven dat good.

    It is blunt about what this protagonists does and what he stands for. Until the end. Still, great filmmaking and story to tell that really is pretty daring for its time. I just couldn?t engage with the main or sidekick until when it is really suppose to rope you in at the end and failed for me. 4/5ths a good movie. Hence, 4 stars.
  • February 3, 2009
    Oliver Stone's other war picture of 1986. Like 'Platoon', it has a documentary-like style where it seems the viewer is being thrust into the battle scenes, giving a cold hard look at what's going on. It follows a cynical photojournalist (James Woods, in his finest performance) wh...( read more)o attempts to capture atrocious-but-valuable images of civil war in El Salvador, realising a long-buried compassion in his soul.
  • December 10, 2008
    no thanks not my kinda thing
  • December 3, 2008
    Really good film about America in the 80's giving aid to complete nutters. "Facists are u.....killing loads of people... but not comunist though...thats alright then carry on"
  • November 16, 2008
    a story of courage on a blood bath terrain.
  • September 25, 2008
    one of James Woods best films and known.
  • August 17, 2008
    Well done, interesting movie. James Woods and Belushi were great, although annoying at times. One scene was annoying to me where kids would egg on the bad guys and start a fight, and Woods' character would have to get them out of the bind. Those fuckers, let them get themselves o...( read more)ut of trouble.
  • July 19, 2008
    Awesome movie. A neutral pointview about the American paranoia in Central America during the Cold War
  • April 14, 2008
    My favorite Oliver Stone film. Powerhouse performances from Woods and Belushi.
  • February 1, 2008
    dick was in this one lol
  • January 2, 2008
    I want to know if thise movie is non fiction?
  • December 30, 2007
    '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...( read more) 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+
  • December 5, 2007
    what can you say ?tragic,brutal,scary,funny this film has all these things try to get the special edition and see the interview with the real self confessed drunk ! Viva la revolucion !
  • November 21, 2007
    What the hell is the justice !
  • November 5, 2007
    James Woods is underrated.
  • September 13, 2007
    a fascinating wartime film
  • September 9, 2007
    Oliver Stone has said that anyone who lists this as one their favourite of his movies is doing so to be different, which is crazy since this is really one of his finest achievements. Back in the time when comedy and brutal drama were not mixed at all, this is a perfect melding o...( read more)f the two. Woods and Belushi have never been better and probably will never be again (seeming how they are both on TV now) and there are some very big laughs to be had. My good friend Sims recently was shocked that this wasn't on my greatest movies list, but NBK squeezes on before it. Still, this film is definitely a masterpiece and the DVD for it is awesome, make sure to check out the documentary.
  • August 20, 2007
    I had to watch this movie in a polisci class and it was wonderful.
  • August 16, 2007
    Classic Oliver stone
  • August 4, 2007
    In the line of "The Killing fields". A good political movie like Stone used to do.
  • July 23, 2007
    El Padre Antonio y El Monaguillo Andres...
  • June 25, 2007
    a WONDERFUL MOVIE ABPUT MY FAVORITE COUNTRY IN THE WHOLE WORLD..
  • June 25, 2007
    A bit too much cartoonish. Still it's worth a watch.
  • June 21, 2007
    Better than most things that Oliver stone puts his fingers on.
  • June 16, 2007
    You know, I used to say that any conspiracy theory is a great story. Oliver Stone has totally proven that to not be true.
  • June 9, 2007
    Remember when Oliver Stone was a crazy mother f@#$%! This was a film he made when he was balls out nuts and it shows. This movie just pops with energy. James Woods turns in his best performance ever. It's a real tribute to James Woods that you end up liking his character because ...( read more)he's a total prick. If you haven't seen this film, you should, it's brilliant.
  • June 7, 2007
    hey, at least he made a movie about it.
  • May 9, 2007
    one of his better first films
  • April 24, 2007
    it a good action movie
  • April 11, 2007
    Oliver Stone's best movie with James Woods on fire !
  • April 10, 2007
    brilliant, beautifully done, brilliant
  • March 10, 2007
    Great film, along the lines of these other 'journalist' films, like The Killing Fields and Under Fire, worth watching
  • March 8, 2007
    I was there too,good pupoosasand yuuca fries.
  • March 7, 2007
    Truly harrowing film, and carrying powerful performances.

    Anybody can make a film about how horrible the Nazi's are, but it takes a truly brave director to confront the United States about their war crimes
  • February 27, 2007
    Great film from a different perspective. Best part is when the snooty lady reporter gets spiked with LSD minutes before reporting live. Very funny but and eye opener at the same time.
  • February 4, 2007
    Very solid movie anti-war movie. Seen this sort of thing before? Well, yeah. But that doesn't mean this still isn't worth watching.

Summary


Salvador Summary