Salvador
Seen it?1986 | 123 min | Drama, War
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Casualties of War or Hamburger Hill, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 3 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1980, an American journalist covering the Salvadoran Civil War becomes entangled with both the leftist guerrilla groups and the right-wing military dictatorship while trying to rescue his girlfriend and her children.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$2 million worldwide on a $5 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 11K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Oliver Stone
- James WoodsRichard Boyle
- Jim BelushiDoctor Rock
- Michael MurphyAmbassador Thomas Kelly
- John SavageJohn Cassady
- Elpidia CarrilloMaria
- Tony PlanaMajor Maximilliano Casanova
- Colby ChesterJack Morgan
- Cynthia GibbCathy Moore
- Will MacMillanColonel Bentley Hyde Sr.
- Valerie WildmanPauline Axelrod