Savior Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy’s family dies, so he joins the French Foreign Legion, becomes a sniper in Bosnia, and tries to save a pregnant woman because, like, maybe not *all* Muslims are bad?

🍿 Savior: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Tragedy in Paris

Joshua Rose, an American working in the foreign service, experiences a devastating loss when his wife and son are killed in a terrorist bombing in Paris. Consumed by grief and rage, he seeks retribution against those he deems responsible. This event is a turning point that sets the stage for his subsequent actions.

Joining the Foreign Legion

Driven by a thirst for revenge, Joshua enlists in the French Foreign Legion under the name Guy. He is deployed to Bosnia in 1993 during the Balkan War. There, he serves as a sniper for the Serb forces, using this position as an opportunity to inflict violence on Muslims, seemingly without remorse or discrimination.

Encounter with Vera

Guy’s perspective begins to shift when he meets Vera, a pregnant young woman who was a part of a prisoner exchange between the Serbs and Muslim Bosniaks. She was raped by a soldier and is now carrying his child. Vera appears resigned to her fate, showing little regard for her own life or that of her unborn child.

A Path to Redemption

Guy’s path to redemption starts with his decision to protect Vera and her baby. He becomes determined to escort them to safety at the Red Cross refugee office in Split. This journey is fraught with danger and challenges, forcing Guy to confront his own brutality and the senseless violence surrounding him. The survival of Vera and her baby becomes his primary focus, superseding his earlier desires for revenge.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joshua Rose/Guy (Dennis Quaid): A former U.S. military official turned Foreign Legion mercenary seeking redemption after the loss of his family.
• Maria Rose (Nastassja Kinski): Joshua’s wife whose death fuels his initial desire for revenge.
• Vera (Natasa Ninkovic): A pregnant woman rescued by Joshua/Guy, representing a chance for him to regain his humanity.
• Goran (Sergej Trifunovic): A brutal Serbian soldier who embodies the inhumanity of the war and acts as a foil to Joshua/Guy.
• Peter Dominic (Stellan Skarsgård): A character involved in prisoner exchange and with a key but brief role.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Guy: “Oh, you’re a billy goat. I need a Biljana.” – Said by Guy when looking for a goat to milk to feed a baby.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,328
• Worldwide Gross: $14,328

💥 Savior Reviews

Personal Review

Savior hit me hard. The opening scenes were brutal, and I honestly wasn’t sure I could keep watching. But Dennis Quaid’s performance kept me hooked. You see this man, broken by tragedy, trying to find some kind of redemption in the middle of a horrific war. The scenes with Vera and the baby were especially powerful. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It really made me think about the futility and lasting impact of war.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in war dramas”
  • “Fans of Dennis Quaid’s performance”
  • “Those seeking thought-provoking films about redemption”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “War atrocities”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Religious violence”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Savior doesn’t offer a political explanation of the Bosnian War, but attempts to give a human perspective. Dennis Quaid delivers a superb performance as a complex character, matched by Natasja Nincovic’s portrayal of a Serb woman. The film avoids stereotypes, exploring themes of revenge, indifference to suffering, and the human cost of war. It’s a mature film that leaves a lasting impact.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A harrowing portrayal of the Bosnian War, Savior pulls no punches in depicting the brutality and senselessness of the conflict. Dennis Quaid’s performance is powerful, capturing the internal struggle of a man consumed by grief and vengeance. While the film may be difficult to watch, it offers a raw and unflinching look at the human condition in times of war.

Audience Reactions

Dennis Quaid’s best work, very tough to watch at times but in the end extremely rewarding and cathartic.: Quaid gives an Oscar winning performance and Savior depicts the despair and death of war with astonishing realism

Realism is the key to its power, this film will move you to tears: I wasn’t ready for it, or at least wasn’t expecting it. Realism is the key to its power. While some viewers may focus on which ethnic groups are committing what crimes, for the wider audience I think it has a commentary on the human race in general and what it is capable of.

Overall Consensus: Savior is a powerful and disturbing anti-war film set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War. It is praised for its realistic portrayal of the conflict, Dennis Quaid’s compelling performance, and its exploration of themes of revenge, redemption, and the human cost of war, though some critics have noted potential bias.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The aerial footage of landing in Africa was taken from the movie Outbreak (1995) as this film didn’t have a big enough budget to film the scene.”
• “Filmed on location in Montenegro, providing a realistic backdrop for the war-torn setting of Bosnia.”
• “The director, Predrag Antonijevic, is Serbian, bringing a unique perspective to the film’s portrayal of the Bosnian War.”

🖥️ How to Watch Savior?

As of today, Savior is not widely available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. However, it may be available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings. Check Amazon for purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Savior, you might like these similar films:

• Welcome to Sarajevo (1997): Also explores the human cost of the Bosnian War through the eyes of a journalist.
• No Man’s Land (2001): A darkly comedic and tragic look at the absurdity of the Bosnian War, focusing on soldiers from opposing sides trapped together.
• The Killing Fields (1984): Depicts the horrors of war and the struggle for survival in Cambodia, sharing the theme of human resilience amidst brutality.
• Behind Enemy Lines (2001): Set during the Bosnian War but with a more action-oriented and simplified narrative.

🛒 Savior Related Products

• The Bosnia Wars: A Military History: A comprehensive and unbiased account of the military operations and strategies employed during the Bosnian War, providing valuable context for understanding the film’s setting.
• Welcome to Sarajevo [DVD]: Michael Winterbottom’s film provides another perspective of the Bosnian War from the eyes of a British reporter, exploring the human stories amidst the conflict.
• Foreign Legion: Tales of the French Foreign Legion: A collection of true stories and accounts from members of the French Foreign Legion, offering insight into the experiences and motivations of those who join the Legion.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Historical Collection: Dive into intense modern combat scenarios inspired by real-world conflicts, experiencing the challenges and complexities faced by soldiers in various theaters of war. Explore similar themes of morality and survival.

🎧 Soundtrack

Savior features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Rasti, Rasti, Moj Zaleni Bore” – performed by Traditional folk song
• “Theme From Savior” – performed by Carlo Siliotto

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

In the Mind of Colonel Jessup: The Savior Complex

Ever wondered what makes Colonel Jessup tick? This video dives deep into his mind and uncovers his ‘savior complex’. Honestly, it’s fascinating to see how they break down his motivations!

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