Nineteen year old Sam Bottoms is made to wander miserably
through the desert without food, water, shoes, or clothes (save a
pair of shorts). He's been forced to surrender his belongings to a
sadistic, rifle-wielding adversary -- Andy Griffith (yes, ANDY
GRIFFITH -- no kidding!!!). Griffith gets sick kicks from hunting
people instead of "conventional" prey, and will track Bottoms down
for the big kill unless the youngster can outwit him...
Folks familiar with the fine 1930s suspense film "The Most
Dangerous Game" will see distinct plot parallels. "The Most
Dangerous Game" possesses one of the most regurgitated plot
devices in Hollywood history: that of the demented hunter with a
penchant for tracking down human prey. It's turned up on "Fantasy
Island" as well as "Gilligan's Island" and for all we know may one
day make up the plot of a reality-based TV show (God forbid!).
However, for any familiarity the material may present, "Savages"
gets high marks for offering a fresh retelling of this fable. Full of
urgency, this is highly charged, suspenseful, top flight
entertainment turned out by a solid, committed cast.
Rugged locales and spare production values enhance what is a
lurid melodrama full of tension between the principal actors. There
are even a couple genuine scares that may make you jump out of
your seat!
Andy Griffith is truly arch in his role as villain, brilliantly cast against
type. He seems to relish this opportunity to stretch every moment
he's on screen (and who can blame him after so many years
playing the Good Guy in dreary, old Mayberry?!?).
Likable young pup Sam Bottoms appears sincerely vulnerable and
sympathetic, trudging barefoot through rugged desert terrain and
tumbling down treacherous ravines. He turns in an earnest and
athletic performance and for all he goes through, and with the help
of some excellent make-up effects, it's difficult not to imagine
some of his wounds being legit!
It winds up being tough to decide who is more fun to watch:
Griffith, grinning lasciviously from ear to ear as he harasses and
torments his young prey...the sadistic overtones of his character
barely restrained... ...or golden-boy hottie Bottoms, the bewildered but stalwart hero,
first degraded at gunpoint to strip for the camera, then forced to
subject his lithe, attractive body to any number of physical
humiliations brought about by the punishing landscape... ...in all, it's a pretty tasty couple hours of entertainment!
"Savages" should inform film enthusiasts and TV-viewers of the
21st century (particularly those born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s) that
some excellent productions were crafted for television way back in
the 1970s. The Movie Of The Week format often proved itself: fresh,
young talent was given a place to shine, and veteran performers
received some choice opportunities to expand their repertoire.
