Review of Salvador: Special Edition

Introduction

Inspired by real events in the El Salvador revolution, Salvador was the opening salvo of Oliver Stone’s ongoing crusade against everything he consider unjust.

James Woods plays Richard Boyle (the real Boyle help write the screenplay) a sleazy, Hunter S. Thompson type of journalist who managed to drink, dope and whore his way around some of the world’s trouble spots. However, he gets a wake up call in the atrocities of the El Salvador revolution and (re)discovers his moral centre and a sense of righteous outrage (that doubtless mirrors that of Stone).

Video

Despite being shot on a relative shoestring (and, as Stone tells us in the commentary, under false pretences – the financers thought it was a Schwarzenegger film), the cinematography is accomplished, detailed and striking. It has cleaned up well in its (1.85:1 Anamorphic) transfer to DVD with only an acceptable level of grain to mar the sharp and detailed image.

There is much to admire in the gritty realism of the imagery here, but bear in mind that this is an intense portrayal of human brutality and, as such, contains many disturbing (but effective) scenes.

Audio

The soundtrack is billed as DD 5.1 however this is really a little disingenuous. The original soundtrack was decidedly low budget and (probably) straight stereo. The 5.1 remix has widened the sound out a little but it still really feels like a stereo soundtrack with little use made of the rears or LFE. Overall quality is average, no more.

The score by George Delerue is striking and effective and is decently presented.

Features

Salvador has a perfectly formed set of extras. The original theatrical trailer opens the package and is as gripping and visceral as the feature. A set of extended and deleted scenes and a (fairly dispensable) photo gallery then warm you up for the main events which are a 60 minute documentary “Into the Valley of Death” and a superb commentary by director Oliver Stone.

The documentary is both informative in presenting the details of the filmmaking process and sobering as it outlines the political background the film. The commentary by Stone is excellent. He speaks passionately about the film and injustice of its subject. This was the first time I had heard Stone speak and I was expecting him to be outspoken – which he is – and strident – which he is not. The commentary is well judged. Unlike some directors, Stone doesn’t feel the need to avoid even a second of silence. He often leaves lengthy pauses to allow you to digest what he has said.

Conclusion

Although Stone had made 2 films previously, Salvador was his first major studio effort and, as such, is a phenomenal achievement both artistically and technically.

The subject matter is harrowing and its treatment is savage and unflinching. The war in El Salvador was the source of many an atrocity and Stone does not shy away from telling it like it is and of accusing the American government of complicity. In many ways it is amazing that it even got made let alone shown.

15 years on, the film has lost none of its power. Much of that power comes from the brilliant performance of James Woods as Richard Boyle. Woods gives a manic portrayal of a man who has sunk beyond despair and then finally finds (in El Salvador) an outlet for years of pent up outrage and righteous anger. Woods performance is often uncomfortable viewing (as is the film) but it deservedly won him and Oscar nomination.

The film is not without flaws though, most of them due to Stone overstating his points. Occasionally, less would indeed be more.

In addition to being a superb film, this is a superb DVD and a rarity at that. We’re seeing loads of films that appear on DVD with not a single feature to be seen. We are also seeing more and more instances where every possible piece of trash associated with a film manages to make its way on the (multi disc) package. Salvador isn’t one of those “Never mind the quality, feel the width discs”. Nope, it is small but perfectly formed. With the possible exception of the photo gallery, every feature is of the highest quality and you feel satisfied – as if anything more would ruin the package. An example to the industry.