Under Fire Eureka Classics edition

Not really a political thriller as such so much as a somewhat ham fisted film about a propaganda plot involving a journalist. The film's promo said it looked at a historic event in Central America at the time, but like all feature films this one is more or less an examination of a criminal plot the challenges (or breaks) a reporter's ethics.I remember the hype for the film when it was first marketed, including a story about how Nick Nolte checked the rifles for the Mexican Army who were standing in for the Nicaraguans, and allegedly found real ammo instead of blanks. I say allegedly because there are lots of stories bandied about. Some of it is for ego stroking, some of it is just for the sake of making up stories, but a lot of it is to keep the double-dealing veneer that is the Hollywood film industry. The idea being to drive away "honest" people to keep the sociologist and social psychologists in control to crank out forward thinking media. How tiresome.So it is that you have two edgy yet WASPY photo journalists taking on scum bag mercenaries, two-faced politicos, the occasional spy, drug gangs, and guerillas.My issue with these kinds of films (other than my dislike of all movies) is that you don't get any kind of perspective on what happened in Nicaraqua, Panama, or any other troubled area in central and south America. You just get a visual interpretation and emotional vibe that's not based on anything. It's a movie where you're supposed to feel for the journalists, but I really can't say that I sympathized for anyone in this film, but a lot of that is my dislike for movies in the first place.Sidenote here, I was actually looking for another similar film about two guys who drive down to either Central or South America, and are witness to another junta from another group in another country. And I thought it starred Nick Nolte. Well, I was wrong, so the search continues. But this film, in spite of my gripes with it, is technically well put together. My real key issue with this film is that it just strikes me as being wholly implausible, and as such is offered to the movie going audience to see if they recognize anything of that ilk, which is kind of what movies are all about these days.It's not a horrible film, but if you understand the agenda's for all films, then this one should leave a sour taste in your mouth. Still, if you like Col War era politics and military films that don't have a lot of war in them, then check this one out.

Although it succeeds in portraying the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, it does fall back on dramatic license: the creation of a Che-like "Rafael" character which had no real counterpart in Nicaragua. The film was released in 1982, at the start of Reagan's contra movement; perhaps an attempt to build sympathy and foil this policy. The Ed Harris character would not fade away into merc oblivion, but of course remained behind: his tolerance for media "liberals" like Nolte would not last long. The characterization of A. Somoza remains spot-on. Despite its flaws, a good dramatic period piece.

Very good movie. Always liked it, but it’s a fictional account! No basis in reality. It was correct on 3 accounts. There was a war, a photojournalist was murdered (by a private at a road block), and Somoza’s regime was overthrown...beyond that it was all make believe! I don’t want a documentary, but it would be nice to get a decent account of things. The murdered photojournalist, btw, was happily married with kids! This account does him dishonor in that context!

I saw this movie when it was first released. It inspired me to become a pro photographer. It almost inspired me to go to Bosnia in 1991 to get war pictures. It also made me realize that my bad knees would limit my ability to take cover when needed. So I did not go, although I was already in England. Instead, I wound up on a newspaper in Wyoming. Oh well! Joanna Cassidy is delightful and credible. Nick Nolte's character's experiences seem exaggerated until you read about the experiences of real-life photojournalist Jim Nachtwey. Ed Harris as the cheerfully homicidal merc again displays his acting range. Regardless of what you feel ablout the current communist govenment of Nicaragua, this is an engrossing story.

Having lived and worked in Central America, and having spent time in all of the nations that comprise that part of the world, I could easily take interest in the characters and locations portrayed in the video "Under Fire". While my time in Central America was back in the 1970s, I continue to maintain an interest in that area. To some, the story that is told in this video might seem somewhat of a fantasy, but for those of us who lived and worked there, it is pretty close to home. The same can be said of the video "Salvador".

interesting war movie

Underfire was a movie I saw before and wanted to see again and own. I am happy with the dvd and the historical value of the story. The purchase went flawlessly and the delivery was ahead of schedule.

Young Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy and the usual solid performance from Gene Hackman. Ed Harris does a credible job as a mercenary. Probably not your speed if you aren't at least a little left of center politically, focusing on the Sandinista revolution in 1979. Loved the story, the acting, the music (Pat Metheny). One of my all-time favorite flicks.

A great film that deserves much more popularity. The plot partially inspired Oliver Stone's Salvador (made few years after), but I think Under fire is better than that.It's the perfect mix of compelling action, focus on characters and political commitment. Without sounding too politically-oriented, it's a clear, courageous and narrative report of what happened there and then, and it clearly shows the rtights behind rebellion and the wrongs behind US support to dictatorship.All thanks to a remarkable team work of the whole cast (Gene Hackman, Nick NOlte and Joanna Cassidy at their best, and a very unsettling and double faced Ed Harris), of the screenwriters (one of them is Ron Shelton, who specialized in sport movies) and Roger Spottiswoode, ex Sam Peckinpah's editor (and you can tell by the fantastic editing style and the ability to put together intimate situations, political dialogue and documentarian war-scenes). A must have. Blu ray edition is available now: buy that

Under Fire tells the story of how an American TV journalist (Hackman) and two American photographers (Nolte and Cassidy) get caught up in a revolution, initially as impartial witnesses and then who get deeply drawn into it and become part of the revolution when one of the photographers starts to sympathise with the rebels and agrees to take a picture of a dead guerilla leader who is propped up in front of the camera in an attempt to disprove the claim of government forces that they had killed him. The TV journalist is shot at point blank range by government militia, this is witnessed and photographed and the picture is smuggled out the country to implicate the government in murder in the eyes of the American public and to elicit support for the rebels.The acting is uniformally superb, particularly Nolte who has never been better and the reconstruction of a country in revolutionary chaos and confusion is utterly convincing. It grips you from the start and never lets go and in the end you side with the rebels and hope that the revolution succeeds. It is exciting, compelling, thoughtful and also a really great action movie.David Rowland

Set in civil war torn Nicaragua where the US was propping up the regime of a Dictator (Antonio Somoza) against a popular left wing uprising. Stars Nick Nolte Joanna Cassidy and Gene Hackman. The heroes all make poor choices and are flawed, for both good and bad reasons. The journalists become committed to one side in the conflict, and in this action harm those they wish to support, and yet ultimately an honest piece of reporting does produce change. Thus it addresses the eternal dilemma for journalists who must ask whether to remain passive or become active - record or participate? Now probably - "suppress or report"?Its resonance is the hypocrisy and arrogance of US foreign policy - then supporting South American Juntas through the 1980s and 1990s - and now... It is based upon a true story - the the death of journalist Bill Stewart at the hands of a Nicarguan soldier was filmed by a TV crew and really did change the course of a Civil war - but not before countless "less important" deaths.The film is driven along by an excellent soundtrack, which sucks you in as the tension builds. Weaved in this is an inevitable but credible love story. The leads all give strong performances.I think this film has been rather overlooked - perhaps it said too many things the American public did not want to hear. Better than Salvador. A policitical drama and love story about a murder set in a war!Worth a watch.

Not seen for many years, I had forgotten just how good this film is. When he was on form Nolte was a powerful prescence and dominates the film. He is well supported by Joanna Cassidy, who has seldom looked or acted better. Hackman is basically in a support role but delivers another of his scene stealing performences. Talking of Scene Stealers.. Ed Harris..brilliant as a playing both sides mercenary, and Richard Masur as a rather slimy Presidential advisor. Roger Spottiswoode directs with real pace and vigour, and whilst it is 2 hours long it feels like One! Excellent print. Excellent film. (Read other reviewers for the plot if you don't know it!)

A little slow and inferior to the energetic Salvador by Oliver Stone. Great if you want your history lesson of the political climate in South America during the late 70s though. Great bluray release with english subs.

This is a well made exciting film, based on a real incident, that shows the hard hearted nature of American meddling in foriegn politics (south america in this instance). The film also brings into question the role of the journalist, although explores it only slightly. There is also a study of human relationships. Nick Nolte and especially Gene Hackman bring appealing character to their roles.

great movie

Do not expect fantastic quailty as the film is about 25 years old. Acting is excellent and the story is good, basically about a photojournalist covering the largely US financed civil war in Nicaragua. Not a particularly complicated plot but I enjoyed watching it if only to show how dollar politics will always come before common humanity.

Great little film. Similar to "Salvador" and they both came out at the same time.The story starts out as a light drama about journalists abroad, butslowly, almost imperceptibly evolves into a drama with real tension and one or two shocks. It has moral dilemmas at the heart of it, as well as a growing feeling of claustrophobia.Great performances from everyone -but I want to single out Gene Hackman for being truly great in this.

very good

Great

The stars are top notch but their efforts are let down by turgid direction , A young Ed Harris runs with the ball .

Very good - but unfortunately any Danish subtitles.

Like

So so. Dated. odd.