The Savage Innocents [Blu-ray]

Director: Nicholas Ray, Baccio Bandini Nicholas Ray

Overview

Anthony Quinn added Eskimo to the many ethnic types he portrayed on film with this drama about a clash of cultures from director Nicholas Ray. Inuk (Quinn) is a typical Eskimo hunter, living proudly as his ancestors did, eking out an existence on the frozen Canadian tundra. When Inuk takes his wife and mother-in-law to a trading post to exchange furs, the family meets a friendly priest (Marco Guglielmi). In time-honored Eskimo custom, Inuk offers the missionary his wife's sexual favors. Offended by the man's rejection, Inuk kills him. Having broken Western law, Inuk is pursued by two Mounties (Peter O'Toole and Carlo Giustini). Slowed down by his wife's elderly mother, he sends the woman out on the ice to perish, another of his people's ancient traditions. The police capture Inuk, but the lawmen and their prisoner encounter severe weather. The Savage Innocents (1959) was the feature debut of actor O'Toole, who objected to the overdubbing of his voice in the finished film.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/27/2017
UPC:	0887090134910
Original Release:	1960
Rating:	NR
Source:	Olive
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:50:00
Sales rank:	23,160

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Carlo Giustini	2nd Trooper
Marie Yang	Powtee
Anthony Quinn	Inuk
Peter O'Toole	1st Trooper
Yoko Tani	Asiak
Andy Ho	Anarvik
Kaida Horiuchi	Imina
Yvonne Shima	Iulik
Lee Montague	Itti
Anna May Wong	Hiko
Michael Chow	Undik
Ed Devereaux	Pilot
Marco Guglielmi	Missionary
Francis de Wolff	Trading Post Proprietor
Anthony Chinn	Kiddok
Nicholas Stuart	Commentarist
Robert Rietty	Missionary
Angelo Francesco Lavagnino	Composer

Technical Credits

Nicholas Ray

Hans Ruesch

Franco Solinas

Nicholas Ray	Director,Screenwriter
Hans Ruesch	Screenwriter
Joseph Janni	Producer
Maleno Malenotti	Producer
Baccio Bandini	Director
Geoffrey Daniels	Sound Effects
Winston Ryder	Sound Effects
Franco Solinas	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

A fascinating if uneven film from director Nicholas Ray, The Savage Innocents is the kind of stretch that gifted filmmakers need to make to keep expanding their talent. Granted, in some areas this is familiar Ray territory: a protagonist who doesn't fit in with the demands of contemporary civilization, conflicting moralities, intense struggle, and a visual vocabulary that finds beauty in unexpected places. But Savage is set in what would truly be considered "alien" territory -- not the milieu of disenfranchised and misunderstood youth but of a culture that shares only certain characteristics with that of recognized civilization. It also is a setting that enables Ray to explore the visual splendors of a barren, icy, brutal natural wonderland, and the director and his cinematographers make stunning use of this. (Perhaps a bit too much so, as the contrast between the location shots and the studio ones can be rather jarring.) Savage very definitely reflects Ray's voice and vision, and when it is at its best, it is captivating. However, occasionally, it stumbles; some of the primitive vs. civilized scenes nowadays seem a bit simple or patronizing. The voiceovers, which effectively add a documentary feel to the proceedings, also come across as intrusive and speak down to the viewer. And every so often one can feel the director straining; the film occasionally "shows off" rather than simply "showing." However, with Anthony Quinn delivering an excellent lead performance and a fine supporting cast, Savage is able to overcome its flaws and emerges as a film well worth watching.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler