Romero (1989)

The life and work of Archbishop Oscar Romero who opposed, at great personal risk, the tyrannical repression in El Salvador.

Director:

John Duigan

Writer:

John Sacret Young

Stars:

Raul Julia, Richard Jordan, Ana Alicia

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Raul Julia	...	Archbishop Oscar Romero
Richard Jordan	...	Father Rutilio Grande
Ana Alicia	...	Arista Zelada
Eddie Velez	...	Lt. Columa
Alejandro Bracho	...	Father Alfonzo Osuña
Tony Plana	...	Father Manuel Morantes
Harold Gould	...	Francisco Galedo
Lucy Reina	...	Lucia
Al Ruscio	...	Bishop Estrada
Tony Perez	...	Father Rafael Villez
Robert Viharo	...	Col. Ernesto Dorio
Harold Cannon	...	Gen. Humberto
Claudio Brook	...	Bishop Flores
Martin LaSalle	...	Bishop Rivera y Damas
Eduardo López Rojas	...	Bishop Cordova

Storyline

In El Salvador, the new bishop speaks out against the death squads and the terror campaign the government is using in an attempt to crush the guerilla war that is being waged against them. This is seen as disloyality and the number of priests attacked goes up and even churches are shut down by the government. Based on a true story, Romero was assassinated in March, 1980.

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Plot Keywords:

murder of a priest | shooting a woman | liberation theology | el salvador | archbishop | 

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

25 August 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Romero, le sang de l'archevêque

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,316,495

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paulist Pictures,Paulist Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to 'Time Out', the picture was "financed in part by Catholic organisations in the [United] States [of America], this was apparently made under Church auspices, nearly ten years after the death of the Salvadorean archbishop it commemorates".

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Quotes

Archbishop Oscar Romero: I'd like to make an appeal in a special way to the men in the army. Brothers, each one of you is one of us. We are the same People. The farmers and peasants that you kill are your own brothers and sisters. When you hear the words of a man telling you to kill, think instead in the words of God, "Thou shalt not kill!" No soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the Law of God. In His name and in the name of our tormented people who have suffered so much, and whose laments cry out to heaven...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (1997)

User Reviews

A true story about a man of God, and of his people

What an amazing story. In a movie world full of so many stories that have very little meaning, it is inspiring to watch a movie about a man that inspired a nation. I have always loved the story of this great man's life. After watching the movie, so will you. I have watched this movie by myself, with friends and now I plan to watch it with my children. I want them to see what one man's passion can do for a nation in turmoil. Many Latino nations celebrate his life as a model of what a modern Christian should be like. I celebrate his life as a model of what I aspire to be. The movie is filled with passion and a great cast that makes every incident, every scene and every word come alive. The setting is true to the historical setting of the time when this man of God lived and worked with the people of El Salvador. The story line and acting are easy to follow and the characters are so amazingly played that you will fall in love with them. Watch this movie. I seriously recommend it.