Walker (1987)

Walker (1987)

Taglines: Before Rambo… Before Oliver North…

Walker movie synopsis. In 1853, soldier-of-fortune William Walker (Ed Harris) flees Mexico after a failed attempt to incite an armed insurrection. He is placed on trial by US officials, but wins acquittal on breaking the Neutrality Act. Walker believes in Manifest Destiny and has plans to marry and start a newspaper until his fianceé Ellen Martin (Marlee Matlin) dies of cholera.

Financed by American multimillionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt (Peter Boyle), Walker and 60 mercenaries embark on a mission to overthrow the Government of Nicaragua, to secure Vanderbilt’s rights over an overland shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific.

Walker and his corps score a bloody victory in Nicaragua and when the capital falls, Walker allows the President to stay in charge, but takes his mistress, Doña Yrena (Blanca Guerra). With increasing disruption in the country, Walker orders the President shot and assumes the presidency for himself. From 1855 to 1857, his actions as president become increasingly manic and delusional, with Walker antagonizing his financial backer by revoking Vanderbilt’s license to the overland trade route.

Nicaragua and its neighbors unite to rid themselves of the unwelcome dictator, and they drive the despot out. Eventually, without the support of Vanderbilt or USA’s government, Walker’s further forays into Central America lead to his capture and execution.

Walker is a 1987 American-Mexican Acid Western film directed by Alex Cox and starring Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Rene Auberjonois, Peter Boyle, Sy Richardson, Xander Berkeley, Alfonso Arau, Marlee Matlin and Miguel Sandoval. The film is based on the life story of William Walker (1824–1860), the American filibuster who invaded Mexico in the 1850s and made himself President of Nicaragua shortly thereafter. It was written by Rudy Wurlitzer and scored by Joe Strummer, who also plays a small role as a member of Walker’s army.

Walker Movie Poster (1987)

Walker (1987)

Directed by: Alex Cox
Starring: Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Rene Auberjonois, Keith Szarabajka, Xander Berkeley, Marlee Matlin, Alfonso Arau, Peter Boyle, Gerrit Graham, Blanca Guerra
Screenplay by: Rudy Wurlitzer
Production Design by: Bruno Rubeo
Cinematography by: David Bridges
Film Editing by: Alex Cox, Carlos Puente
Costume Design by: Theda DeRamus, Pam Tait
Set Decoration by: Suzie Frischette, Bryce Perrin
Art Direction by: Cecilia Montiel, Jorge Sainz
Music by: Joe Strummer
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release Date: December 4, 1987

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