Romero is a compelling and deeply moving look at the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who made the ultimate sacrifice in a passionate stand against social injustice and oppression in his county. This film chronicles the transformation of Romero from an apolitical, complacent priest to a committed leader of the Salvadoran people.
Acting
Raúl Juliá's final major role — transcendent, haunted, absolutely devastating.
Direction
Duigan refuses to sanitize; the horror feels immediate and unflinching.
Director
John Duigan
Raúl Juliá
Archbishop Oscar Romero
Richard Jordan
Father Rutilio Grande
Ana Alicia
Arista Zelada
Eddie Velez
Lt. Columa
Tony Plana
Father Manuel Morantes
Harold Gould
Francisco Galedo
Lucy Reina
Lucia
Al Ruscio
Bishop Estrada
Tony Perez
Father Rafael Villez
Robert Viharo
Col. Ernesto Dorio
Claudio Brook
Bishop Flores
Martin LaSalle
Bishop Rivera y Damas
Eduardo López Rojas
Bishop Cordova
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Raúl Juliá was so committed he learned Spanish specifically to deliver Romero's homilies authentically. He died less than a year after filming.
The U.S. Catholic Church funded this film partly to counter Reagan administration support for El Salvador's military regime. It barely got a theatrical release.
US
