Rating: 
Summary: War Remembered
Review: Set in Nicaragua during the Jimmy Carter administration, this very well written, directed, and acted film is made all the better by Jerry Goldsmith's score. The picture and sound quality of the DVD enable this film to be seen for the first time as it was originally presented in theaters in 1983. A repeat-view film, both the DVD and the soundtrack CD are worth owning.
Rating: 
Summary: Danger, adventure and history. But romance is silly.
Review: This 1983 film is about journalists in war-torn Nicaragua where President Somoza is losing his power to Sandinista guerillas. Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy and Gene Hackman are cast as the journalists. They all love the adventure of their assignments and view the wars as way to establish esteem by having a story on the cover of Time magazine. They're also involved in a love triangle. In the meantime there is the real tragedy of the war going on around them. Nick Nolte has to make some hard choices about his integrity and it made me think about what I might do in the same situation. Ed Harris is cast as an American mercenary and made me aware that such people really do exist. There's danger and adventure and history here - all rolled up into one film. I just wish they left out the silly romance that slowed down the action. I was much more interested in the politics which seemed an over-simplified "good guys versus bad guys" story. All the actors did a competent job with the exception of Joanna Cassidy who tried hard but just wasn't believable. The cinematography was great though and really gave me a feeling of the place they were in. Some of the opening scenes were set in Africa, and these, too, were excellent. I generally liked this film but stop short of giving it a high recommendation. I just couldn't care about the characters or the particular war in progress. Good but not great.
Rating:
Summary: Danger, adventure and history. But romance is silly.
Review: This 1983 film is about journalists in war-torn Nicaragua where President Somoza is losing his power to Sandinista guerillas. Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy and Gene Hackman are cast as the journalists. They all love the adventure of their assignments and view the wars as way to establish esteem by having a story on the cover of Time magazine. They're also involved in a love triangle. In the meantime there is the real tragedy of the war going on around them. Nick Nolte has to make some hard choices about his integrity and it made me think about what I might do in the same situation. Ed Harris is cast as an American mercenary and made me aware that such people really do exist. There's danger and adventure and history here - all rolled up into one film. I just wish they left out the silly romance that slowed down the action. I was much more interested in the politics which seemed an over-simplified "good guys versus bad guys" story. All the actors did a competent job with the exception of Joanna Cassidy who tried hard but just wasn't believable. The cinematography was great though and really gave me a feeling of the place they were in. Some of the opening scenes were set in Africa, and these, too, were excellent. I generally liked this film but stop short of giving it a high recommendation. I just couldn't care about the characters or the particular war in progress. Good but not great.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking look at war
Review: This flick should have won a lot of oscars - for screenplay, direction, acting, cinematography and music. Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy and Gene Hackman are riveting as war zone journalists; Ed Harris plays a mercenary soldier just right, with hedonistic aplomb. One interesting aspect that runs through the film is how multi-national corporations profit no matter who wins at war; they'll always be there reaping profits. Another long thread running through the film is how American foreign policy is designed to broaden and protect OUR interests without taking into wider consideration the impact we have on the citizens of other countries, particularly the developing countries or those nations governed by unpopular dictatorships. I saw this flick 20 years ago and it's stayed with me ever since, the mark of a good movie. This film is what propelled me to earn degrees in international relations and journalism. Most films these days are for teenagers, but not this one. It's complex and thought-provoking and entertaining throughout. I want my wife to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking look at war
Review: This flick should have won a lot of oscars - for screenplay, direction, acting, cinematography and music. Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy and Gene Hackman are riveting as war zone journalists; Ed Harris plays a mercenary soldier just right, with hedonistic aplomb. One interesting aspect that runs through the film is how multi-national corporations profit no matter who wins at war; they'll always be there reaping profits. Another long thread running through the film is how American foreign policy is designed to broaden and protect OUR interests without taking into wider consideration the impact we have on the citizens of other countries, particularly the developing countries or those nations governed by unpopular dictatorships. I saw this flick 20 years ago and it's stayed with me ever since, the mark of a good movie. This film is what propelled me to earn degrees in international relations and journalism. Most films these days are for teenagers, but not this one. It's complex and thought-provoking and entertaining throughout. I want my wife to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Superb political drama
Review: This is simply a very well done film based on past historical events (taking some liberties, of course). Nolte's depiction of a photojournalist is terrific. He handles his mix of Nikon F, F2', Leica and light meter like a professional. He must have had some training. His transformation from indifferent detached observer to sympathetic participant in the final days of the Nicaraguan revolution is wonderful to watch. It also raises interesting ethical questions. Supporting roles are also well cast and well acted - from the French intelligence agent Jazy to the pro-Somoza p.r. man to Oates, the mercenary, to the young revolutionaries. It's a must see for those interested in Central American politics, journalism, ethics, and photography for that matter.
Rating: 
Summary: 20 Years latter
Review: Under Fire is certainly a well made and well acted film. There is some real history in this movie as well. The most accurate history is that of the brutality of the Samoza regime. However, the directors shot the scenes of the Sandinistas through a rose colored lens. When the Frenchman (played by Jean-Louis Trintignant) is about to be executed by the Sandinistas he says that Samoza is a butcher too, but in 20 years we will know who is right. It has been 20 years and we now know that the cause that this movie glorifies was a colossal failure. The fall of the Berlin wall made this film's perspective laughable. In recent years Nicaragua has been moving towards freer markets. So much for the revolution. The passage of time has revealed the absurdity of how those who made this movie saw these events. Nolte, Harris, and Hackman delivered fine performances, but hindsight makes it hard to take this film seriously, as its producers obviously intended. You can watch these actors deliver fine performances in other films, so there is no need to entertain the absurd portrayal of Marxist inspired revolutionaries in Under Fire.
Rating:
Summary: Based on a True Crime
Review: When the popular revolt in Nicaragua against Somoza attracted world attention in the late 1970s, many journalists went there to report the news. One journalist made world news when he was murdered by government forces, and another reporter filmed this event. This 1983 movie weaves this incident into a story about those days. The scene in Nicaragua starts with a parade. Rebels infiltrate and hoist a banner; the military chase them. This is photographed by a journalist who climbs on top of a parked car. (NEVER park your car by a parade route!) The rebels invade a night club, a grenade goes off, and then Russell "visits" the police station. A "businessman" gets him released, and then suggests that Russell visit the provincial capital where the Sandinistas are active. Russell photographs the action, and gets involved. The pitching skills of a Nicaraguan are used, but he is soon retired from this game. Back in the capital Somoza announces the death of the rebel Commander, Rafael. Russell visits this province to photograph the news. He meets the rebel leaders, and agrees to photograph Rafael in a live setting; others in the rebel camp are photographed. The movie shows how ancient DC-3s are used as military weapons. Alex returns and asks to visit Rafael. Russell discovers that his photos are being used to identify and eliminate the rebels! When Alex can't find Rafael, he wants to do a story on the "businessman". But Alex is prevented from doing this by unidentified soldiers. Russell photographs this, but escapes with his life. The film gets back to the hotel, and is published. Somoza flees the country, and lands in Miami. And so it finally ends happily? Or does it? Could such a movie be made today? The romantic triangle (older man, younger woman, younger man) reminds me of "The Quiet American".
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