Walker is a 1987 American/Mexican satirical weird western directed by Alex Cox (Repo Man, Sid & Nancy), written by Rudy Wurlitzer (Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid), and starring Ed Harris, Richard Masur, René Auberjonois, Peter Boyle, Miguel Sandoval, Marlee Matlin, and Keith Szarabajka.
The film is loosely based on the true story of William Walker (Harris), an American mercenary who invaded Nicaragua in 1855 and subsequently declared himself president in an attempt to turn the country into a slave-holding colony. This in turn caused several neighboring countries to come together for the first time and form an alliance to oust him.
It is notable in large part for its intentional, postmodern anachronisms intended to drive home the similarities between Walker's actions and Reagan-era American foreign policy. As the film progresses, the anachronisms become increasingly more pronounced as past and present begin to merge and history continues to repeat itself in Latin America.
This film provides examples of the following tropes:
- Anachronism Stew: A deliberate example, featuring such anachronisms as Time magazine articles about Walker and a helicopter airlifting Walker's men out of Nicaragua. This is to make Cox's satire of 20th century American imperialism more clear.
- Artistic License – History: Aside from the deliberate anachronisms, several other deviations from historical facts are done to advance the narrative:
- There is no evidence that Walker ever met Cornelius Vanderbilt or received his support, rather he was supported by Vanderbilt's competitors Charles Morgan and Cornelius Garrison, then owners of Nicaragua Transit Company.
- James Buchanan is mentioned as being U.S. president at the time of Walker's 1854 trial for violating American neutrality laws by invading Mexico, rather than Franklin Pierce.
- Walker's fiancée Ellen Martin died in 1850, whereas in the film she is depicted as being present at his trial and then dying shortly afterwards.
- The film's portrayal of Walker's coup d'état is generally much more violent and dramatic than the actual event.
- Evil Colonialist: Walker himself.
- Icy Blue Eyes: Walker is described in lavish magazine articles as "the Blue-Eyed Man of Destiny" in support of his seizing control of Nicaragua. This was an an actual quote from a period article about the real mane.
- Pop-Star Composer: The film's score was composed by the late Joe Strummer of The Clash, who also has a brief cameo as a member of Walker's army.
- Schizo Tech: To highlight the association with then-current events, the film becomes increasingly anachronistic. Modern magazine articles are shown writing on the film's events, and the climax features a helicopter extraction.
- Strolling Through the Chaos: Walker does this in all of the battle sequences. He simply walks straight down the street and shoots at people without making any attempt to duck or dodge the return fire. This was apparently based on real accounts of Walker's Nicaragua campaign, in which he was never injured.
- Unreliable Voiceover: Walker's narrations, which sound a lot like quotes from an official log or report, are blatantly contradicted by the action of the scenes they introduce.
