Under Fire

Under Fire is one of several films from that era set against the backdrop of real-world conflicts (see also: Salvador, The Killing Fields, The Year of Living Dangerously, etc.). It was particularly bold in how it approached the events it depicted. For those who grew up in the '80s, places like Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and Nicaragua were a constant presence in the news, and the word Sandinistas meant more than just a Clash album title.

The plot

It’s 1979. A renowned photojournalist, fresh from an assignment in Chad, heads to Nicaragua with a TV reporter and a radio journalist, just as the Somoza dictatorship—backed until then by the U.S.—is on the brink of collapse. His goal: to interview the elusive rebel leader, Rafael. As the story unfolds, the trio faces one of journalism’s classic ethical dilemmas: Do you remain "neutral" and detached from unfolding events, or do you follow your own moral compass? There’s also a romance and a sort of love triangle, but neither overshadows the main story. Similarly, the film steers clear of the white savior trope.

What really stands out is how different Under Fire feels from standard Hollywood entertainment—or from many films of the time (think Rambo 2 & 3, Delta Force, and anything with Chuck Norris). It takes a grounded, realistic approach and, more importantly, isn’t afraid to take a stance on the events it portrays—one quite different from what audiences might have expected.

Behind the scenes

Director Roger Spottiswoode (*Tomorrow Never Dies, The 6th Day, Turner & Hooch, and the cult horror Terror Train) delivers the best work of his long career. Cinematographer John Alcott, a Kubrick collaborator (Barry Lyndon, A Clockwork Orange), gives the film a semi-documentary feel, aided by meticulous production design and costumes. The film's Jerry Goldsmith score—featuring jazz guitarist Pat Metheny—is another highlight. It even earned Under Fire its sole Oscar nomination, and years later, Quentin Tarantino repurposed it for Django Unchained. The script comes from Ron Shelton, just before he launched his directing career.

The cast

• Nick Nolte delivers one of the best performances of his career, during a streak of great roles.
• Joanna Cassidy, fresh off Blade Runner, shines as the female lead.
• Gene Hackman is fantastic, even in a smaller role.
• Jean-Louis Trintignant plays a sleazy CIA collaborator.
• Ed Harris (in one of his first major film roles after years in TV) is a ruthless mercenary. This was the same year he starred in The Right Stuff.

Though the film’s story and characters are fictional, Under Fire was inspired by the real-life murder of an American ABC journalist—an event that caused an uproar and influenced U.S. policy on Nicaragua. Pay attention to a key remark by one of the rebels at the film’s end.

While Under Fire wasn’t a box office success, it found an audience later on home video.