Salvador

Salvador Cinema Poster Country UK Directed by Oliver Stone Release Date 1986 Language English Spanish Studio Hemdale Film Distributor Hemdale Film Main Cast Character Actor Richard Boyle James Woods Doctor Rock James Belushi Ambassador Thomas Kelly Michael Murphy John Cassady John Savage María Elpidia Carrillo Jack Morgan Colby Chester Maj. Maximiliano 'Max' Casanova Tony Plana Col. Bentley Hyde Sr. Will MacMillan

Salvador is a 1986 war drama film directed by Oliver Stone from a screenplay co-written by Stone and journalist Richard Boyle. James Woods stars as Boyle, an American journalist covering the Salvadoran Civil War (1979-1992) who becomes entangled with both leftist guerrillas and the right wing military. The film is highly sympathetic towards the left wing revolutionaries and strongly critical of the U.S.-supported military, focusing on the murder of four American churchwomen and the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero by Salvadoran government death squads. While the movie is set in the country of Salvador, it is interesting to note that it was actually shot entirely in Mexico so many of the actors and extras were Mexicans. The military equipment used in the film was also provided by Mexican film studios as well as the regional police and armed forces, despite the somewhat critical view of the film towards the U.S., which was actually an ally of Mexico during the Cold War. The cast includes James Belushi and Michael Murphy, with John Savage, Elpidia Carrillo, and Cynthia Gibb in supporting roles.

The following weapons were used in the film Salvador:

Handguns

Colt M1911A1 (Nickel)

A government officer is armed with a nickel M1911A1.

The Army Lieutenant (Juan Fernández) holds the M911A1 on Richard Boyle (James Woods) who is armed with a switchblade and a can of mace.

A government officer pulls his pistol.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is used by government officers as well as border guards.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver - .38 Special

The Army Lieutenant (Juan Fernández) holds a revolver on a student.

The Army Lieutenant (Juan Fernández) aims his sidearm.

Richard Boyle (James Woods) is threatened with the Smith & Wesson Model 10.

Colt 1903 Hammerless Pistol

What appears to be a Colt Model 1903 pistol is used in an assassination.

Colt Model 1903 Hammerless Pistol - .32 ACP

What appears to be a supressed Colt Model 1903 pistol is used by a goverment agent (Art Bonilla) in the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero (José Carlos Ruiz).

Rifles

IMI Galil

Some government troops are armed with the IMI Galil.

IMI Galil ARM with wood hand-guard - 5.56x45mm NATO

Salvadorian government tank commander Colonel Julio Figueroa (Jorge Luke) opens fire with the Galil. The tank is a Panhard Lynx ERC 90 Sagaie (Engin de Reconnaissance à Canon de 90 mm) armored recon vehicle equipped with a 90 mm cannon. The Panhard is actually used by the Mexican Armed Forces as its main combat tank.

Heckler & Koch HK91

The Heckler & Koch HK91 is primarily used by government troops.

Heckler & Koch HK91 - 7.62x51mm NATO.

Muzzles of the HK91's are seen.

A death squad member armed with a Heckler & Koch HK91 while holding a student.

Spanish Mauser

M1895 Chilean Mausers is primarily used by rebel forces, but some are used by government troops.

Mauser 1895 Rifle - 7x57mm Mauser

A rebel fighter checks out the rifle.

Mauser 1895 Rifle (Short) - 7x57mm Mauser

A government soldier fires the rifle.

Rifle on the left.

Richard Boyle (James Woods) poses with the rifle.

M16A1

Some rebels are seen with M16A1 rifles.

M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

The M16A1 in the middle

M1917 Enfield

A government soldier in civilian clothes uses an M1917 Enfield to murder four American churchwomen doing humanitarian work in Salvador.

M1917 Enfield

A government soldier in civilian clothes is seen with an M1917 Enfield just before using it to execute four American churchwomen.

Machine Guns

MAS AA-52

The MAS AA-52 GPMG is seen mounted on government tanks.

MAS AAT-52 Char - 7.5x54mm French

The machine gun next to a dead tank crew member.

M60

An M60 is seen mounted on a government helicopter gunship.

M60 machine gun 7.62x51mm NATO

An M60 is seen mounted on a government helicopter gunship.

FN MAG

FN MAG machine guns are mounted on government tanks.

FN MAG 58 7.62x51mm NATO

Government soldier fires the FN MAG.

Submachine Guns

Uzi

The Uzi is carried by rebels, government troops and men guarding the US Ambassador.

A government thug is armed with an Uzi during a confrontation with Boyle.

Spitfire Carbine

Many rebels are armed with the Spitfire Carbine, a low cost clone of the Thompson. As the film was shot in Mexico during the eighties, these were probably provided by the Mexican police which used the weapon at the time.

Spitfire Submachine Gun (a modified version of the carbine with a shortened barrel and converted to full-automatic) - .45 ACP

Shotguns

Double Barreled Shotgun

The 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun is carried throughout the film.

J. Stevens and Company Side by Side Shotgun (Circa 1878) exposed hammers and designed to fire Black Powder shotgun shells - 12 gauge

A government-allied gunman holds the shotgun on the left.

Ithaca 37

Used throughout the film is the Ithaca 37 Featherlight fitted with a pistol grip.

Ithaca 37 Featherlight fitted with a pistol grip - 12 ga.

A gunman (Humberto Elizondo) with the goverment troops holds the shotgun.