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Salvador is a 1986 film directed by Oliver Stone, starring James Woods, Jim Belushi, and Michael Murphy. The film is a war drama that takes place in the late 1970s, during the civil war in El Salvador. The plot revolves around Richard Boyle, a hard-drinking, drug-using journalist from the United States who travels to El Salvador to cover the civil war.

The film opens with Boyle arriving in El Salvador, where he reconnects with his friend, Dr. Rock, who is working at a local hospital. Boyle immediately immerse himself in the political landscape of the country, interviewing political figures and attending political rallies. In the midst of all this, Boyle meets a young woman named Maria whose father has been arrested by the government for political reasons. Boyle takes on Maria's case and soon becomes heavily involved in the Salvadoran conflict, initially as a journalist, but soon as a participant.

As Boyle becomes more involved in the Salvadorean conflict, he is exposed to the brutal violence of the government, including death squads and torture. As he witnesses the horrors firsthand, Boyle becomes increasingly drawn into the fight against the government, putting his own life in danger.

Through Boyle's eyes, the audience sees the chaos of the war, the desperation of the people, and the brutality of the government. The film shows how the United States government was providing military aid to the Salvadoran government while turning a blind eye to the torture and murder of innocent civilians. In the end, Boyle's struggle to do the right thing leads to a dramatic showdown with the military government, and the consequences of his actions are both profound and unexpected.

The performances in Salvador are powerful and moving. James Woods delivers one of the best performances of his career as the flawed and complex Richard Boyle, a character who is both deeply flawed and deeply human. Jim Belushi also gives a standout performance as Dr. Rock, a character with a tragic arc that highlights the brutality of the Salvadoran conflict. Michael Murphy is excellent as Ambassador Thomas Kelly, a character who embodies the corruption and callousness of the United States government's involvement in the conflict.

The film's direction and cinematography are effective in capturing the chaos of the Salvadoran conflict. The film is shot in a gritty, documentary-like style that immerses the audience in the tumultuous atmosphere of El Salvador. The direction also effectively conveys the sense of urgency and danger that Boyle faces as he navigates the conflict.

Overall, Salvador is a gripping, intense, and thought-provoking film that shines a light on a dark period in the history of the Americas. The film is a masterful portrayal of the horrors of war and the human cost of political conflict. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Salvador is a 1986 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 69.