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Salvador--Special Edition [DVD] [1985]
 
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Salvador--Special Edition [DVD] [1985]

DVD ~ James Woods
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
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Frequently Bought Together

Salvador--Special Edition [DVD] [1985] + Under Fire [DVD] [1983] + The Killing Fields (Special Edition) [DVD] [1984]
Total RRP: £52.97
Price For All Three: £13.94

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Salvador--Special Edition [DVD] [1985]
91% buy the item featured on this page:
Salvador--Special Edition [DVD] [1985] 4.1 out of 5 stars (11)
£5.98
Under Fire [DVD] [1983]
4% buy
Under Fire [DVD] [1983] 4.3 out of 5 stars (3)
£2.98
W. [DVD] [2008]
2% buy
W. [DVD] [2008] 3.4 out of 5 stars (19)
£4.98
Cop [DVD]
2% buy
Cop [DVD] 4.8 out of 5 stars (6)
£2.98

Product details

  • Actors: James Woods, James Belushi, John Savage, Michael Murphy, Elpidia Carrillo
  • Directors: Oliver Stone
  • Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Subtitles: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: MGM Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 10 Sep 2001
  • Run Time: 117 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005KITD
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 9,769 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

Salvador recounts the conflict between the peasant revolution and the US-backed death squads in El Salvador in the early 1980s as seen through the eyes of American journalist Richard Boyle. Telling unpalatable truths condensed into intense fiction, Oliver Stone's film is typically confrontational, the real Boyle writing the source material for Stone's savage screenplay. The journalist is brought to life by James Woods in a brilliant hyper-kinetic performance: his powerful commitment to the truth balances his self-destructive, drink, drugs and danger-fuelled personality. Providing excellent support is James Belushi as partner in debauchery Dr Rock, while Stone delivers the most spectacular $4 million movie imaginable by conning the El Salvadorian military into lending tanks, planes and helicopters for a film which brands many of their leaders as war criminals. Genuinely radical cinema, Salvador blisters with moral fury, setting it beside The Killing Fields (1984) as a modern classic.

On the DVD: Without spoiling the plot, the original trailer is so compelling it makes you want to watch the film again even if you've just seen it. The are four deleted/extended scenes which add a little more political background--unfortunately the legendary orgy/severed-ears seen is not among them. Parts, though not the whole of this scene, appear in the exceptionally good 62-minute retrospective documentary which covers the extraordinary making of the film and the horrors of the political background in depth (a technical advisor was shot dead on a tennis court). Oliver Stone delivers the best commentary tracks around and this is no exception as he presents a masterclass in gonzo-guerrilla filmmaking. There is also a gallery of 46 behind-the-scenes stills. Given the circumstances, Robert Richardson's cinematography is miraculously accomplished and, excepting some grain, transfers to DVD, anamorphically enhanced at 1.77:1, very well. The original low-budget sound has made the transition to three-channel Dolby Digital with style, George Delerue's machine-gun score having real urgency and the action being appropriately chaotic. --Gary S Dalkin



DVD Description

DVD Special Features:

Audio Commentary with Oliver Stone
Original Theatrical Trailer
Documentary "Into The Valley Of Death"
Deleted and Extended Scenes
"On The Set" Photo Gallery
Collectable Booklet
Languages in Dolby Digital 5.1: English
Languages in Mono: Italian
Subtitles: Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish


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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The oliver stone you overlooked, 14 Dec 2005
By Mark J Linehan (Bristol United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
WHAT A MASTERPIECE! An unrelenting rollercoater of a ride that tightens your attention with every scene.

After a remarkable and aggresisve opening score that hints at what is ahead, there follows an easy and uncomplicated start introducing the anti hero, the washed up amoral photo journalist Richard Boyle (James Woods) casually making one final throw of his career dice: a trip with Doctor Rock (James Belushi) to El Salvador to cover growing civil unrest. Within minutes the ride accelerates; through Wood's camera lens, all the characters of a civil war unfold (the secret police/the innocent/the soldiers/the church/the death squads/the culture of both sides). The genius of Stone here is that he perfectly combines the micro (the effect on individual emotions and daily lives) with the bigger issues (the method of decision making and impact of US foreign policy). There are a few big twists along the way and they are shocking and yes, depressing. John Savage gives a great performance as the fearless war photographer John Cassady. The approach to the climax is gripping - as civil war intesifies, Stone focuses the lens further into Woods: his changing emotions, his move from an observer to a participating victim, his frantic attempts to help those around him. The pace just gets faster with every minute.

Overall, a film that sharpely portrays individual brutality and abuse of power. Clearly there is a political message that Stone is pressing - the impact of US foreign policy militarily supporting a corrupt government against the wishes of a democratic majority (topical!). Is it historically accurate? Is it propaganda? What we do know is that the movie had an advisor who was killed in El Salvador during production. Perhaps it should be taken at face value - a brilliant piece of film making.

My favourite scene: "HEFE, IMPORTANTO!!"

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The template for all future Oliver Stone films, 12 Sep 2006
By Mr. Tristan Martin (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
With Salvador, regarded as Oliver Stone's debut proper (ignoring The Hand), Stone set the framework for his entire career thus far (with the possible exception of World Trade Center, which I have not yet seen).

Salvador is raw, urgent, politically bold (especially when it was made in the Reagan era of Rambo and Top Gun), visually stylish and forcefully well written. James Woods delivers a career-best performance which is even more impressive considering that he's made films such as Once Upon a Time in America and Casino (and that one with Sylvester Stallone that was a crock of crap).

This is a great film that fully deserves its place in the Oliver Stone repertoire, so add it to your collection now... NOW! For some excellent background reading, try Noam Chomsky's Deterring Democracy.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Simply just a stunning film, 23 Jan 2006
When you watch the opening scene of Salvador it seems like a road movie, similar to the likes of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. Then they turn a corner. From then on we are taking on a bumpy ride, a masterpiece of filmmaking.

Salvador tells the true story of Richard Boyle, a photographer and journalist played magnificently and charismatically by the highly underrated James Wood. The character is dislikeable but is complimented by his drug-fuelled sidekick played by Jim Belushi.

With such a controversial and gritty subject matter it needed a Director to give it some edge. Oliver Stone does this superbly, he delves into an upsetting storyline, which many people try not to think about, it’s a very controversial film, which Oliver Stone is recognised for. It shows the atrocities of war and is handled without any sympathy for the viewer, dead bodies are everywhere and a strong political statement is made, showing what a mess was being made in El Salvador at the time and how the public were not made aware of this subject matter.

It is a very powerful movie and nothing tries to deter that, there are very controversial scenes and it is not for the weak hearted but this is what helps it in being such a powerful movie. It isn’t discussed as much as some of Oliver’s other work, but it is by no means not as good. I would consider it way up there with platoon and JFK, if not better. Stunning and an absolute must see.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars I oredered one DVD. Amazon sent and charged me for two.

Nothing wrong with the film. I have never used Amazon before and am unlikely to use them again after they sent and charged for two DVD's.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. G. P. Narey

5.0 out of 5 stars A real underated actor
James Woods and James Belushi excel in this highly political movie. For me it is Woods Second best Movie...His best is Split Image. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. G. L. C. Sexton

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest films ever made
This is a brilliant critique of US foreign policy during the 80's, as well as a very gritty depiction of the military government and the insurgency of the time. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sandman

5.0 out of 5 stars a knew slant on war films
I rate this as highly as platoon. I think part of the reason this film is so great is James Woods, he is easily one of the deadpan funniest guys out there but he is such a good... Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2003 by richard

1.0 out of 5 stars HUGELY OVER-RATED
Sorry to spoil the consensus but this is Stone's worst film for me. A gross caricature of a horrific period in Latin America. Read more
Published on 20 Jul 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars James Woods shines in this original cinematic piece
A familiar concept in unfamiliar territory proves to be a powerful drama as well as a funny dark comedy. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2003 by Scarlet

5.0 out of 5 stars brings a new dimension to a classic film
It would be hard to rate the film itself as anything other than a 5, and the Dvd presentation is excellent and crammed with extra features which add an extra dimension to the... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2002 by simon gurney

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic.
Oliver Stone's best film. Possibly one of the finest films - certainly most underrated - of the last 20 years. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2001

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