Under Fire ****½ (1983, Nick Nolte, Gene Hackman, Joanna Cassidy, Ed Harris) – Classic Movie Review 10,303

Director Roger Spottiswoode’s sizzling 1983 Under Fire is an absolutely thrilling, first-rate political action thriller about the Nicaragua conflict in 1979, with Gene Hackman and Nick Nolte at their best as newsmen Alex Grazier and Russell Price, compromised while covering the revolution against the corrupt regime of President Somoza.

Unusually, the romance is handled with equal expertise, with Joanna Cassidy excellent as Claire, a radio reporter breaking up from magazine correspondent Alex Grazier (Hackman) and taking up with star photojournalist Russell Price (Nolte).

Ron Shelton and Clayton Frohman’s screenplay, Jerry Goldsmith’s Oscar-nominated music score and director Spottiswoode’s handling are all spot on target.

The action sequences are rivetingly realistic.

Also in the cast are Jean-Louis Trintignant, Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Alma Martinez, Holly Palance, Fernando Elizondo, Hamilton Camp, Jorge Santoyo, Eric Valdez, Rene Enriquez and Jose Campos Jr.

Under Fire is directed by Roger Spottiswoode, runs 128 minutes, is made by Greenberg Brothers, Lion’s Gate Films and Under Fire Associates, is distributed by Orion Pictures (1983) (US) and Rank Film Distributors (1984) (UK), is written by Ron Shelton and Clayton Frohman (screenplay and story), is shot by John Alcott, is produced by Jonathan Taplin and is scored by Jerry Goldsmith.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,303

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