Every Oliver Stone Movie Ranked Worst To Best

The third-best flick from Oliver Stone is another war film; one that covers the often overlooked Salvadoran Civil War. While not as large as other proxy conflicts in the greater Cold War, Salvador's conflict raged for twelve bloody years with the likes of the United States, Soviet Union and China all throwing their influence into the ring.

Smack dab in the middle of the fighting, the director decided to make a film about it. Taking a similar perspective to "The Killing Fields" from 1984, it follows American journalist Richard Boyle (James Woods). Caught up in the battles, Boyle attempts to rescue his girlfriend and her children as the FMLN rebels and government military clash.

Stone directed heavy criticism towards the US-supported military forces, who murdered four American Churchwomen during the conflict and committed other atrocities with death squads. This manifests itself with Boyle going to the US Embassy to press them to withdraw support for the war, only to be denied.

Thanks to its capable presentation and political trappings, Salvador earned three Oscar nominations; best actor in a leading role, best writing and best screenplay written directly for the screen. It takes a more obscure conflict and successfully brings it to life in a detailed and often visceral way.