WALKER (1987)
ALEX COX
Plot
In the mid-C19th William Walker operated out of Latin America as a soldier of fortune, but he was not merely a mercenary for hire, he was also a doctor, a lawyer and, most dangerous of all, an idealist. When Walker invaded Nicaragua, at the behest of robber baron Wanderbilt, he decided against handing the country over, instead declaring himself President, and sighting that America was obligated to "protect our neighbours from oppression". A glorious and bloody re-interpretation of history, Walker' is perhaps Alex Cox's most ambitious film, a visceral and intelligent satire led by a fine cast. (As for 'true story' and 'biopic' please take these genre descriptions with a pinch of salt).