War,Drama
United States of America
Under Fire is a 1983 political thriller film directed by Roger Spottiswoode, starring Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy, and Gene Hackman. The film is set during the final days of the Somoza regime in 1979 Nicaragua, and follows three American journalists who are covering the country's revolution against the dictatorship.
Nolte plays Russell Price, a cynical journalist who is teamed up with photojournalist Claire (Joanna Cassidy) and radio broadcaster Alex (Gene Hackman). The trio becomes embroiled in the revolution and becomes too close to the action, losing their objectivity in the process.
As the journalists report on the revolution, they begin to question their role in the conflict. Price becomes romantically involved with a revolutionary leader's wife, Claire becomes disillusioned with the violence, and Alex feels the weight of being a foreigner intervening in a country's domestic affairs.
As the Somoza regime falls and the Sandinistas come to power, the journalists must decide whether to stay and continue their work or leave the country. The film is notable for its realistic depiction of war photography and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in conflict zones.
Under Fire received critical acclaim upon its release and is considered a classic of the political thriller genre. It was also one of the few Hollywood films to address the political situation in Nicaragua during the 1980s.
