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Raul Julia, Richard Jordan, Ana Alicia, Tony Plana, Harold Gould ... see more see more... , Alejandro Bracho , Claudio Brook , Álvaro Carcaño , Víctor Carpinteiro , Evangelina Elizondo , Regino Herrerra , Martin LaSalle , Rocío Muñoz , Lucy Reina , Eduardo López Rojas , Rubén Rojo , Al Ruscio , Antonio Serrano , Jose Chavez Trowe , Eddie Velez , Robert Viharo , Abel Woolrich , Arturo Rodriguez Doring , José Escandón , Jose Antonio Estrada , Juan Pelaez , Rene Pereyra , Damián Alcázar , Francisco Mauri , Tony Perez

In El Salvador in the late '70s, the wealthy few rule the impoverished many. To maintain the status quo against peasant insurgents and labor organizations, the military regime brutalizes the populace,... read more read more... in particular, rebels who espouse Marxism. Assassinations, executions, and disappearances become commonplace. When the Vatican elevates conservative Oscar Arnulfo Romero (Raul Julia) to archbishop, the military rulers believe he will quiet the masses and the activist priests who support them. "Blessed are the peacemakers," he will preach. At first, that is precisely what he does. But when soldiers thwart voters, shoot indiscriminately into crowds, torture dissidents, and kill a dedicated priest and friend of Romero, the archbishop condemns the regime in radio messages, rebukes quisling bishops, and leads a peasant march into a church occupied by soldiers. He also insults and defies the El Salvadoran president (Harold Cannon), an iron-fisted general, who, ironically, has the same last name as the archbishop Romero, but is not related. The country by this time is in the throes of civil war. In 1980, when military death squads continue their reign of terror even though the government institutes so-called reforms, Romero continues to speak out, gaining international attention. The film then builds to its climax, a scene recreating the events of Monday, March 25, 1980, when Romero is saying mass for his recently deceased mother. Attendees include four men who have no intention of reciting mea culpas or receiving the Holy Eucharist. ~ Mike Cummings, Rovi

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79% liked it

2,415 ratings

Critics

75% liked it

8 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: John Duigan

Release Date: August 25, 1989

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DVD Release Date: September 26, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (131)

  • ajv2688
    April 10, 2011
    ajv2688
    A fantastic drama with good actors, and it's based on a true story. I love Raul Julia in this movie.
  • mohitii
    April 13, 2010
    mohitii
    Great story. The movie is even better when watched in Spanish. "De Colores" is hauntingly beautiful.
  • The80sExpert
    April 25, 2009
    The80sExpert
    Great movie based on a true story. Good acting, directing, etc. A must see for people who like dramatic real life stories.

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Critic Reviews

Steven D. Greydanus
May 8, 2002
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide

Where Romero excels as a film is in its depiction of its subject’s gradual transformation. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 15, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A riveting drama about the radicalization of a moderate Catholic priest as he is exposed to the violence and suffering in El Salvador. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 3, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Linda Cook
August 4, 2004
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

Carol Cling
August 22, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
July 29, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

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