Most underrated movie of the 80's
Added 8/7/2009
Walker a brilliant and remarkable film made by Alex Cox never found its crowd.The few people who saw it in theaters didn't seem to get it. It did a bit better on video release but not much,which is a shame. The movie is a historic black comedy that's both anachronistic and compelling in its execution. Its still amazing to me that this was even green-lighted by the powers in Hollywood. Made in Nicaragua with a stellar cast led by Ed Harris it holds up quite well today. Bloody,violet,and at times simply hilarious in its absurdity, this movie rocks. Hopefully now remastered superbly on DVD,it will(if there is any justice in the universe) find a whole new generation that will get it. I loved this movie in '88 and I love it even more now.
They simply don't make crazy,surreal,political westerns like this anymore. I would argue that Walker is one of the most brilliant and entertaining flicks ever made."nuff said"
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Manifest destiny is a bitch
Added 6/24/2009
Alex Cox saw his popularity in Hollywood keel over in 1987 with the one-two punch of his punk spaghetti western STRAIGHT TO HELL and his hallucinatory and strangely entertaining political satire WALKER. Telling the true story of William Walker, a Tennessee fillibuster who embarked for Nicaragua in the late 19th century with a small army of crminals and mercenaries in tow and the intention of conquering the nation to open it's ports up to shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, Cox uses Walker's little-known story to launch a scathing critique of the Reagan administration's genocidal foreign policy towards Central America in the 1980's. Historical accuracy is not what the director is interested in here. People drive modern cars and read TIME magazine (with Walker on the cover) while helicopters descend into burning Nicaraguan towns with State Department officials in tow. If Cox had filmed a straight historical epic he might have made some money and garnered some respect in the show business circles, but then he wouldn't be the Alex Cox we all know and love: the giggling film geek/cinematic anarchist who delights in tearing down all the tired Hollywood cliches and conventions in order to craft his own wonderous outlaw art. REPO MAN and SID & NANCY may be the filmmaker's most respected and accessible films, but I think it's high time WALKER got a reappraisal. The movie is a beautiful and messy collision of many eclectic elements. The expertly assembled cast headed by a masterful Ed Harris in the title role and also includes the Cox repertory company featuring Sy Richardson, Xander Berkely, Miguel Sandoval, Dick Rude, and Zander Schloss all in typically wild top form. Peter Boyle chews and spits out the scenery as the contemptuous tycoon Vanderbilt. Richard Masur, Marlee Matlin, Rene Auberjonois, John Diehl, and LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE director Alfonso Arau. The late, great Joe Strummer of The Clash composes a excellent score with a strong Latin flavor and nary an orchestral flourish. For anybody willing to take a chance and discover a great and underappreciated filmmaker at the peak of his powers giving the screw to the Hollywood system, WALKER is a treasure that yields many rewards upon repeat viewings. I can't recommend this baby enough.
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This is a little known film directed by Alex Cox and well worth watching. I was Production Manager for the Tucson location. This film is filled with Anachronism's,i. e., all sorts of modern items creep into a film that supposedly took place in the 1800's. It is a sleeper and fun to watch.
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A Creative, Imperfect But Effective Satire.
Added 8/26/2008
Upon its release in the late 1980s, Alex Cox's "Walker" was reviled and slammed, burning down at the box office. Over the years the film has gained a small fan base, and now Criterion has even deemed it worthy of joining its notable library of remastered titles. Seeing "Walker" again in 2008, the film actually shows off some fun creativity, wild experimentation and a political bravery so lacking in today's cinema. Maybe now is the best time to revive "Walker" on DVD because even with its imperfections, it shames a lot of the timid, commercialized movies we have to deal with today in a world where "The Dark Knight" is as smart and daring as any big studio movie will ever get. And in times when once again America marches into foreign territory disguising imperialism with pretty language, "Walker" has a message of striking relevance.
The film tells the story of William Walker (Ed Harris), a 19th century soldier of fortune who's escapades in Mexico meet with failure. Walker then turns his sights on Central America. With major corporate backing from an American tycoon, Walker sails with 80 men to Nicaragua where he claims to "bring democracy" and instead installs himself as dictator, even introducing slavery into the tiny nation. Director Alex Cox shoots his story with a real sense of artistic freedom, he isn't afraid to push the envelope to make a point. Like Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers," "Walker" is a visually edgy satire that uses black humor and violence as backdrops to a story of significance. Sure we can roll our eyes a bit at some of Cox's gimmicks, such as characters reading Time Magazine with headlines of the 1980s, or Walker's own appearance on the magazine cover, but it still comes across as creative in a fun sort of way not seen any films today.
Ed Harris' performance is key to the film, he perfectly embodies the classic image of an American imperialist, believing himself to be chosen by God to spread truth through authority. He also brings some surprising moments of humanity to the role, sometimes making us wonder if Walker was more of just a confused soul than just a cold-blooded conqueror.
"Walker" is by no means a perfect film, it has flaws and a narrative that has holes. Consider the second half where Central America unites to evict Walker from Nicaragua, there seem to be larger parts of the story missing here as we get mentions of a front growing against the Americans but then the film quickly cuts to a major climax. But still, the film should be admired for its risk-taking. Just the shoot itself was an act of courage considering Cox shot in Nicaragua itself, at a time when a brutal war was raging between the Sandinista government and U.S.-funded Contras.
The most striking thing about seeing "Walker" today is how relevant it has become. The questions and issues this film explored are once again hot topics with current U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Sometimes the character of William Walker almost feels like a parody of George W. Bush, even much of his dialogue sounds chillingly similar to the current, official lines for the occupation of Iraq and even possible aggression towards Iran. "Walker" is as much about the America of 2008 as it was about the America of 1987.
The Criterion Edition of "Walker" is a treat for film buffs. The new print of the film is beautifully restored with colors and quality probably not seen since the film was originally released. The extra features are fascinating, especially the documentary "Dispatches From Nicaragua" where the film's turbulent shoot is explored, some great background is also presented with insights into the political situation in Nicaragua at the time. There are various commentaries by Cox and even extras, these are filled with fascinatng anecdotes and political commentary.
"Walker" was and is probably still dismissed by many as some sort of bad film, bad because of some production flaws and bad, no doubt, because it actually has things to say. In these watered-down times, when even "message movies" tame their messages, "Walker" even sort of brilliant. A bizarre, fascinating film, worth seeing, worth thinking about.
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unusual critique of American foreign policy
Added 5/23/2008
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
Walker Starring Ed Harris in the titular role is based loosely on the real life William Walker, a 19th century American who seized control of Nicaraugua in a Coup d'etat.
The film is an obvious critique of American action in Nicaraugua of supporting the Contras and foreign policy in general The film did poorly at the box office but became a cult hit, possibly due to its deliberate anochronisms by adding props that had not yet been invented at the time the movie took place. I found this to be interesting and thought the film was well made despite the excessive violence. The violence seemed necessary to depict the reality of what a tyrant Walker was.
The special features are audio commentary by director Alex Cox and screenwriter Rudy Wurlitzer, "Dispatches from Nicaragua", a documentary on the film's production which includes some nice scenes of Nicaraugua, "On Moviemaking and the Revolution" a 20 year retrospective, and a slideshow of behind the scenes photos.
This controversial film is one that has just as much relavance today as it did 20 years ago.
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