The Savage Innocents (1959)

90% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(501 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Ray
Written By: Hans Ruesch, Franco Solinas
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1961 Wide

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Art director and editor have done a standout job in matching and cutting so that it is virtually impossible to decide where Pinewood began and Canada came in.
Eugene Archer, New York Times
His strange, disturbing drama will leave most of its viewers dissatisfied and some outraged, but few will remain indifferent.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Nicholas Ray's epic film about Eskimo life and its remoteness from 'civilized' values represents his first -- and, in many ways, most ambitious -- attempt to break free from the Hollywood studios and forge an independent route.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Cinematic coups abound
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This stunning pictorial account of the way Eskimos live, hunt, love, and die was filmed in the northernmost part of Canada, and the scenes of Eskimos fighting for survival are truly magnificent and deeply moving.
Leo Goldsmith, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Ray's portrait of Inuit life in the atomic age, and as with all of his later work, a curious blend of melodrama and pseudo-documentary
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Though scuppered by problems worse than those usually associated with international coproductions, this is nonetheless rather more than just another engaging oddity from Ray.
, Film4
Once you get into it, you'll be hooked.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Unlike anything else in Nicholas Ray's catalogue
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The Savage Innocents makes you feel that you have become part of the tundra.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

if one can get past the obvious problems, like racially insensitive casting, animal slaughter and romanticizing native culture, it's quite a remarkable example of outsider cinema. containing peter o'toole's film debut (tho they saw fit to dub his voice), this is still… More
if one can get past the obvious problems, like racially insensitive casting, animal slaughter and romanticizing native culture, it's quite a remarkable example of outsider cinema. containing peter o'toole's film debut (tho they saw fit to dub his voice), this is still a powerful film. you'll not see nothing like the mighty quinn!
Ken S

Anthony Quinn plays an eskimo and for some reason they decided to dub Peter O'Toole