Review of Under Fire

Introduction

Partially based on real events, Under Fire tells the story of the last days of the Samoza regime in Nicaragua. Two news correspondents become involved in the revolution after the death of a fellow American news reporter, but they soon face dilemmas about both their relationship with each other, and the loss of their professional integrity.

Video

The video is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and given that the film is rapidly approaching its twentieth birthday isn`t too bad at all. There are some flecks of dirt on the print, and the image is a little grainy at times, but compared to some other movies from the early eighties, the transfer is pretty good.

The film`s visuals look good, with excellent use made of locations, which look authentic.

Audio

The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0, and would really have benefited from a full multi-channel remix. Jerry Goldsmith`s score is very good, and there is plenty of gunfire and other sound effects - which would have sounded great replayed through 5.1 channels.

As it is, the soundtrack features an embedded Dolby Pro-Logic signal, which provides some depth to the soundstage, but inevitably the restricted frequency range of the mono rear channel hinders the power of the soundtrack.

The dialogue is always clear and understandable.

Features

As with far too many other MGM back catalogue releases, the only extra in sight is the trailer.

The menus are basic and easy to navigate.

Conclusion

Under Fire features a top-notch cast including Gene Hackman, Nick Nolte and Ed Harris, all of whom turn in the expected excellent performances. However, a great cast isn`t a guarantee of a great film - and despite the interesting subject matter, Under Fire struggled to hold my interest throughout the 128 minute running time.

The disc features reasonable presentation, but the extras are disappointing, given the scope for some documentary footage about Nicaragua.

Overall, as Under Fire isn`t a movie that has much in the way of repeat viewing potential, it is one to rent rather than buy.