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Walker

5.4

285

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Original title

Walker

Year

1987

Running time

95 min.

Country

United States

Director

Alex Cox

Screenwriter

Rudy Wurlitzer

Cast

Music

Joe Strummer

Cinematography

David Bridges

Producer

Univesal Pictures, Edward R. Pressman Production, InCine S.A

Genre

Adventure. Western. Action | Based on a true story. 19th Century

Synopsis

This is the true story of William Walker (Ed Harris), the American adventurer who once ruled as the self-declared president of Nicaragua (1856-57). In 1853, soldier-of-fortune Walker flees Mexico after a failed attempt to incite an armed insurrection. Due to popular support for his beliefs about spreading Americanism to other countries, Walker is acquitted of legal wrongdoing. His plans to marry and start a newspaper end when his sweetheart Ellen Martin (Marlee Matlin) dies of cholera. Walker then accepts an offer from millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt (Peter Boyle). "Commodore" Vanderbilt sends Walker with sixty mercenaries to overthrow Nicaragua, to secure Vanderbilt's exclusive overland shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific (there is yet no Panama Canal). Walker's ragtag brigade sails to Nicaragua and blunders its way into a battle, which is declared a victory only after the fact. When the capital falls, Walker allows the president to stay in charge, but takes his mistress, Yrena (Blanca Guerra). Incompetent policies and widespread looting inspire a rebellion, so Walker orders the president shot and assumes his place. Becoming delusional about his role in history, Walker revokes Vanderbilt's license to the overland trade route. Nicaragua and its neighbors unite to rid themselves of the unwelcome gringo dictator.

Awards: 1988: Berlin Film Festival: Official Selection

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Critics' reviews

"A hip, cool, political satire that's almost as lunatic as the title character. (...) 'Walker' is witty, rather than laugh-out-loud funny. Without being solemn, it's deadly serious. It's also provocative (...) is something very rare in American movies these days. It has some nerve."

Vincent Canby: The New York Times

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User history

Walker

1987

Alex Cox

5.4

(285)