Directed by  Roger Spottiswoode

Writing credits:  Clayton Frohman  (also story) &  Ron Shelton

Runtime: 128 minutes

Language: English

Color: Color (Technicolor)

Certification: Finland:K-16 / France:U / Norway:15 / Sweden:15 / USA:R / West Germany:16
 
 

Nicaragua 1979: Star photographer Russel Price covers the civil war against president Somoza.  Facing the cruel fighting - people versus army - it's often hard for him to stay neutral. When the guerillas have him take a picture of the leader Rafael, who's believed to be dead, he gets drawn into the happenings. Together with his reporter friends Claire and Alex he has to hide from the army.

Under Fire is a savvy political thriller of journalists in war-torn Nicaragua circa 1979. Clayton Frohman and Ron Shelton's (Bull Durham) script follows ace photojournalist Russell Price Nick Nolte, in a key marquee performance) from the jungles of Africa to the Central American boiling point. Along with the usual band of fellow journalists, Price finds himself involved in a love triangle with Claire Joanna Cassidy in her best role) and Alex Grazier Gene Hackman, perfect again), who believes he's one career-making story from a lofty news anchor position. In Nicaragua, Price finds his own deadly mission: to photograph an  unknown rebel leader.

Although the setup is traditional, Roger Spottiswoode's film feels as alive and vital as the best of the genre. Showing his ambiguity for the lives he shoots, Price is just as friendly with the  impoverished in Africa as with an icy mercenary, Oates Ed Harris in a role the polar opposite of his breakthrough performance in The Right Stuff the same year). On one level, Oates and Price are simply Americans doing their jobs in a foreign land. But soon Price has a change of heart.   Blessed by a splendid final-act action sequence that is unforced and emotionally charged, the film  is stuffed with color and energy, a good dose of which is supplied by Jerry Goldsmith's  Oscar-nominated score. --Doug Thomas

Some things to think about while you watch the film (will make great content for movie review):
 

• What year does the film take place?
• Where does the film open?  What is the climate, terrain, and vegetaion of this area?  Given the vegetation and wildlife, what part of this country must they be in?
• Where does the film go from there (for the remander of the movie)?  Describe the climate, terrain, and vegetation seen throughout the film.  Also, describe the local people as seen throughout the film.  Can you see any differences in their cultural roots.
• Who is Rafael, according to the 'translator'? And when does she say the war began?
• Who is the president of this country, during the time frame of the film? What type of government would you characterize this as?  Does the film give you any examples supporting this, or does some of the dialogue reference it?
• Why would the reporters be trying to find out of the weapons used in the nightclub bombing were Russian or Cuban made?
• Look for signs of religion throughout the movie: symbols, structures, dialogue. What is the main religion of this country, and region?
• Any American cultural symbols in the film? Look for baseball references.
• Are 'commies' referenced anywhere in the film?
• What is the reference to  Jimmy Carter all about?
• Why do the rebels need Russel to take a picture of Rafael? What hangs in the balance?
• What does the 'translator/rebel' say about how the world is now divided?
• What is are the consequences of Russel's picture taking?
• Who kills Alex?   Who does the President accuse of the crime?
• Developed or developing country? Give descriptive evidence to support the theme.

Some additional links to consider:

About the opening of the film: Timeline: Chad & Country profile: Chad

Good brief intro from OnWar.com: Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua 1978-1979

From the BBC: Country profile: Nicaragua;  Timeline: Nicaragua;  Nicaragua rejects Somoza return; Nicaragua crippled by land disputes

Great site with lot of current and background information: Experience Nicaragua

Read more about it: The Rise of the FSLN or History of the FSLN in Nicaragua

From PBS: The Iran-Contra Affair, which happened after the events in this movie, but is directly related.

And into more current events:  Dictatorships and Double Standards(2002);  Nicaraguan right claims poll victory (2001); Nicaraguans head to polling booths (1996)