Search - Romero on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 09/26/2000 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 45 mins Studio: Lions Gate Members Wishing: 9 Genres: Drama, Docudrama, Biopic [feature], Message Movie

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, 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, All Movie Guide

Raul Julia - Archbishop Oscar Romero
Richard Jordan - Fr. Rutilio Grande
Ana Alicia - Arista Zalads
Tony Plana - Fr. Manuel Morantes
Harold Gould - Francisco Galedo

The biopic Romero comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer that preserves the original broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English and Spanish soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include interviews with the cast and crew that she light both on the production and on the man depicted in the film. This is a fine release from Trimark. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide