Yes! The Soundtrack is one of my all-time favourites. Beautiful work by Jerry Goldsmith. I was surprised when the music briefly cropped up in Django Unchained. Under Fire is an decent film with a grand old plot. Definitely worth a look. And Joanna Cassidy is always good to see. Thank you Tony, I am so glad to mentioned this film.
The death of Alex Grazier(Hackman) is based on a real incident in Nicaragua in 1979 when journalist Bill Stewart was callously and casually killed by soldiers and caught on film.
--- YES, and DESPITE THE FILMED ASSASSINATION . . . of an American television reporter, the Somoza government blamed The Communists. There is much subtext to "Under Fire" (1983), especially for people not from Latin America; recall the comment of the woman doctor, about the soldier's murder of the Alex character.
The actual Nicaraguan president at the time was called Somoza. Only this one was assassinated in 1980 by a Sandanista commando team. Thanks, Atheist Cory.
One of my most loved films at least in my memory, because I have not been able to watch it again for 30 years or more.. and Joanna Cassidy! She acts in this and in Blade Runner (the good one), I have been in love with her ever since!
It's a real disappointment to me that Under Fire is so poorly remembered and seldom remarked upon because it's such a good film. So, it's always great when someone comments saying how much they appreciate it. Thanks, chisciccise. T. PS - agreed on Ms Cassidy. First saw her in The Outfit (1973). I was sold.
Finally caught up again with this eighties classic. Spottiswoode as a director dosent put a foot wrong -clear and unrushed with character allowed to breathe (RS is admiring of the remarkable battle of Algiers and Z both superb movies) anyway RS work along with crew and cast is exemplary. I'd forgotten the wonderful Richard masur in it (playing a sleazy henchmen type) and holly palance (who I still only really know from the omen) . Cassidy nolte and Hackman all worked excellently together and no one upmanship. Sadly movies like this are really raritys now which question both where the western govt funnel their (our money) to make the "world safer" (that boat long since missed ) Great review thanks T
I saw this a few years ago on the recommendation of a coworker. I saw it, and immediately watched it again, all in one sitting. Oates killing Pedro was and remains the dirtiest movie kill I've ever seen. On that note, it's one of the best films I've ever seen, and just reminds me why I no longer bother with anything coming out today. It's thoughtful without being preachy, and takes an anti-war stance without descending into leftist rhetoric. Anyone directing a war film should be required to see this. It's set in a war, but it's driven by the relationships of its characters, not a retelling of events. I was engaged throughout the entire thing. It should also be required viewing for journalists, to show them the issues that arise from their becoming too emotionally and literally involved in the events they're covering. Thanks for that, Tom Wolfe! Like Salvador, a great companion piece to this, which I think you'll really enjoy, is "Who'll Stop the Rain" by Karel Reisz, also starring Nolte. It's an adaptation of "Dog Soldiers" by Robert Stone, and I don't know why they didn't just use that title. Regardless, it's a great flick which benefits from that grunge and regret that makes 70's film so engaging. It's a 70's lamentation on the failure of the 60's counterculture wrapped up in an amazing thriller.
Thanks for a very literate and thoughtful comment, Kevin. Much appreciated. T. I have seen "Who'll Stop The Rain," but it was on one of my lost weekends (frequent at the time) so the memory is piecemeal. Keep meaning to rectify by nabbing the Blu Ray - and one of these days I'll do just that. Agreed, Dog Soldiers is a better title to my mind, but maybe someone of influence was a Creedence fan. Interestingly, or not, the title got used in 2002 for Neil Marshall's werewolf flick Dog Soldiers. Bad Moon Rising, a Credence standard, was used on the soundtrack of An American Werewolf In London - a werewolf flick, as the title suggests. I'll stop now because my mindlessness knows no bounds. Thanks again.
Blàst from the past at a time when news journalism was considered interesting enough to have movies made about it. A truly brilliant movie. Strange how you offer UF effectively disappeared -so has missing, Z, , KILLING FIELDS, Salvador all political and none carried by streaming services(i maybe wring there of course) Also the movie that (purely personal) introduced me to brilliant Ed harris a true great of American cinema. Nolte is superb as is cassidy (looking bang tidy) and hackman usual excellent character piece. As to Spottiswood. Did real film become impossible for him to make? Or was he only capable of one true classic. Excellent review T You keep surprising with choices
Wasn't really my choice, being requested or suggested by my Patreon patron Numinous, but it is something that was on my colossal review list so would have eventually materialised. Just got brought forward, and I'm glad it did because I enjoyed revisiting it and, for some reason I can't pin down, felt timely. Maybe it's all the conflict spots at the moment, Ukraine, now Israel/Palestine. Suddenly seems to have taken on a fresh coat of relevance. And I agree, Graeme, these political thriller/dramas are not that easy to find these days. I did in fact end up borrowing the Blu Ray from a friend, who, despite what the review says, is alive and well - as far as I know. Many thanks. T.
My father, who has quite an interesting taste in film, once got me hooked on finding this one by describing this one film Nick Nolte photographed a sandinista leader to fake that he was alive during his coverage of the conflict there. It is interesting how that sounds like it would be a film gimmick and it isn't even half of the interesting stuff here. Also, I am going I am going to compliment "Barbie" on one thing: it has this joke where someone calls Barbie a fascist and she sobs away and sits down complaining "But I can't control trains!", that one was smart, but although people seem to not fathom the concept, things that aren't great can have something brilliant in them, but that thing will be almost too brilliant for what the whole deserves. No, mediocre stuff isn't a cancer that destroys living human beings, but finding a diamond or gold in a pile of manure desn't elevate the rest into being something besides manure.
I don't want to sound cold-blooded, Tony, but I sincerely hope you managed to drag your bullet-riddled body (like Malone in 'The Untouchables') back to your laptop and deleted all info linking me to this review. I do not know why this film keeps falling between every possible crack. Is it to do with your point about the lack of overt romanticisation? There's no tragic hero departing to fulfill his duty against impossible odds. No doomed romance, etc. No reduction of the complexities down to an immediately accessible emotional punch. Or is it just one of those movies that somehow just gets over-looked. In any case, thank you for doing the film full justice.
Don't worry, sanitised everything, Nothing to lead back to you. Under Fire might be a little - and I do mean "a little" - less overlooked now, as I just noted the review got 260 views in 11 hours. Which is a lot in a short space of time for one of my postings. It'll probably taper off, usually does, but I hope it does something to promote the film a bit.
Yes! The Soundtrack is one of my all-time favourites. Beautiful work by Jerry Goldsmith. I was surprised when the music briefly cropped up in Django Unchained. Under Fire is an decent film with a grand old plot. Definitely worth a look. And Joanna Cassidy is always good to see. Thank you Tony, I am so glad to mentioned this film.
Thanks for commenting, Tom. Appreciated as always. T.
Keep up the fantastic work, it is great seeing these often forgotten classics getting a mention.
Thanks for your time and support, Jon.
The death of Alex Grazier(Hackman) is based on a real incident in Nicaragua in 1979 when journalist Bill Stewart was callously and casually killed by soldiers and caught on film.
--- YES, and DESPITE THE FILMED ASSASSINATION . . . of an American television reporter, the Somoza government blamed The Communists. There is much subtext to "Under Fire" (1983), especially for people not from Latin America; recall the comment of the woman doctor, about the soldier's murder of the Alex character.
The actual Nicaraguan president at the time was called Somoza. Only this one was assassinated in 1980 by a Sandanista commando team. Thanks, Atheist Cory.
Yup. I remember when that happened!
@@marianotorrespico2975Yup. I remember her comment.
One of my most loved films at least in my memory, because I have not been able to watch it again for 30 years or more.. and Joanna Cassidy! She acts in this and in Blade Runner (the good one), I have been in love with her ever since!
It's a real disappointment to me that Under Fire is so poorly remembered and seldom remarked upon because it's such a good film. So, it's always great when someone comments saying how much they appreciate it. Thanks, chisciccise. T. PS - agreed on Ms Cassidy. First saw her in The Outfit (1973). I was sold.
Great video
Thank you Tyrell. Good of you to say. T.
Finally caught up again with this eighties classic. Spottiswoode as a director dosent put a foot wrong -clear and unrushed with character allowed to breathe (RS is admiring of the remarkable battle of Algiers and Z both superb movies) anyway RS work along with crew and cast is exemplary.
I'd forgotten the wonderful Richard masur in it (playing a sleazy henchmen type) and holly palance (who I still only really know from the omen) . Cassidy nolte and Hackman all worked excellently together and no one upmanship.
Sadly movies like this are really raritys now which question both where the western govt funnel their (our money) to make the "world safer" (that boat long since missed )
Great review thanks T
You're backtracking through some of these in style, Graham. Hope you're enjoying it. And thanks for providing comments. Appreciated. T.
Thanks!
You are too generous! Not that I'm complaining, I'm very grateful. Many thanks. I appreciate it. T.
I saw this a few years ago on the recommendation of a coworker. I saw it, and immediately watched it again, all in one sitting. Oates killing Pedro was and remains the dirtiest movie kill I've ever seen. On that note, it's one of the best films I've ever seen, and just reminds me why I no longer bother with anything coming out today. It's thoughtful without being preachy, and takes an anti-war stance without descending into leftist rhetoric. Anyone directing a war film should be required to see this. It's set in a war, but it's driven by the relationships of its characters, not a retelling of events. I was engaged throughout the entire thing. It should also be required viewing for journalists, to show them the issues that arise from their becoming too emotionally and literally involved in the events they're covering. Thanks for that, Tom Wolfe!
Like Salvador, a great companion piece to this, which I think you'll really enjoy, is "Who'll Stop the Rain" by Karel Reisz, also starring Nolte. It's an adaptation of "Dog Soldiers" by Robert Stone, and I don't know why they didn't just use that title. Regardless, it's a great flick which benefits from that grunge and regret that makes 70's film so engaging. It's a 70's lamentation on the failure of the 60's counterculture wrapped up in an amazing thriller.
Thanks for a very literate and thoughtful comment, Kevin. Much appreciated. T. I have seen "Who'll Stop The Rain," but it was on one of my lost weekends (frequent at the time) so the memory is piecemeal. Keep meaning to rectify by nabbing the Blu Ray - and one of these days I'll do just that. Agreed, Dog Soldiers is a better title to my mind, but maybe someone of influence was a Creedence fan. Interestingly, or not, the title got used in 2002 for Neil Marshall's werewolf flick Dog Soldiers. Bad Moon Rising, a Credence standard, was used on the soundtrack of An American Werewolf In London - a werewolf flick, as the title suggests. I'll stop now because my mindlessness knows no bounds. Thanks again.
the 70s is my favorite era for cinema too, I believe I've reviewed more 70s films than any other, truly a golden age☺
You are a man of great taste, Streed.
@@tonybush555 so are you T❤
@@AbrasiousProductionsYeah, but it took me 62 years to get like this. You've done it in record time.
@@tonybush555 I don't know what to say, I'm touched~♥
@@AbrasiousProductions Coincidentally, that's what some people say about me. Only I think they mean it differently. Cheers, Streed.
Blàst from the past at a time when news journalism was considered interesting enough to have movies made about it. A truly brilliant movie. Strange how you offer UF effectively disappeared -so has missing, Z, , KILLING FIELDS, Salvador all political and none carried by streaming services(i maybe wring there of course)
Also the movie that (purely personal) introduced me to brilliant Ed harris a true great of American cinema.
Nolte is superb as is cassidy (looking bang tidy) and hackman usual excellent character piece.
As to Spottiswood. Did real film become impossible for him to make? Or was he only capable of one true classic.
Excellent review T
You keep surprising with choices
Wasn't really my choice, being requested or suggested by my Patreon patron Numinous, but it is something that was on my colossal review list so would have eventually materialised. Just got brought forward, and I'm glad it did because I enjoyed revisiting it and, for some reason I can't pin down, felt timely. Maybe it's all the conflict spots at the moment, Ukraine, now Israel/Palestine. Suddenly seems to have taken on a fresh coat of relevance. And I agree, Graeme, these political thriller/dramas are not that easy to find these days. I did in fact end up borrowing the Blu Ray from a friend, who, despite what the review says, is alive and well - as far as I know. Many thanks. T.
I sense another Figures In A Landscape😲
I remember this movie.
My father, who has quite an interesting taste in film, once got me hooked on finding this one by describing this one film Nick Nolte photographed a sandinista leader to fake that he was alive during his coverage of the conflict there. It is interesting how that sounds like it would be a film gimmick and it isn't even half of the interesting stuff here.
Also, I am going I am going to compliment "Barbie" on one thing: it has this joke where someone calls Barbie a fascist and she sobs away and sits down complaining "But I can't control trains!", that one was smart, but although people seem to not fathom the concept, things that aren't great can have something brilliant in them, but that thing will be almost too brilliant for what the whole deserves. No, mediocre stuff isn't a cancer that destroys living human beings, but finding a diamond or gold in a pile of manure desn't elevate the rest into being something besides manure.
Thanks for commenting, Vitor. Appreciated. T.
I don't want to sound cold-blooded, Tony, but I sincerely hope you managed to drag your bullet-riddled body (like Malone in 'The Untouchables') back to your laptop and deleted all info linking me to this review. I do not know why this film keeps falling between every possible crack. Is it to do with your point about the lack of overt romanticisation? There's no tragic hero departing to fulfill his duty against impossible odds. No doomed romance, etc. No reduction of the complexities down to an immediately accessible emotional punch. Or is it just one of those movies that somehow just gets over-looked. In any case, thank you for doing the film full justice.
Don't worry, sanitised everything, Nothing to lead back to you. Under Fire might be a little - and I do mean "a little" - less overlooked now, as I just noted the review got 260 views in 11 hours. Which is a lot in a short space of time for one of my postings. It'll probably taper off, usually does, but I hope it does something to promote the film a bit.
Fantastic work… but give Salvador a go.
I'm not exactly a fan of Oliver Stone, but Salvador is my favourite of his films. And I like James Woods a lot. T.