Chasse tragique

This atypical and highly suspenseful battle of wits in the high desert features Andy Griffith cleverly cast against type as a menacing and creepy villain who keeps you (and the protagonist) guessing to the end. Essentially one extended chase / battle between two people, SAVAGES eschews intervention from the outside world until late, which keeps the story simple and focused on the two's mortal (and mental) combat. Several cat and mouse exchanges are intriguing but the piece is most compelling because of its unusually personal narrative. Similar in theme to HELL IN THE PACIFIC, Spielberg's DUEL and THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, SAVAGES is still its own movie and is difficult to turn away from once you start watching, though it isn't always pleasant.

Better than many features and way above average for television, SAVAGES is an excellent neglected thriller with many surprises and a literate, well-reasoned script. Based on the dynamite novel DEATH WATCH by longtime William Castle horror scribe Robb White (possibly his best work.) 9/10

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.

This is one of the best TV movies I have ever seen, and easily the most sadistic. Andy Griffith is absolute perfection as the crippled big city predatory lawyer and hunting enthusiast who turns guide and nature lover Sam Bottoms into his prey. His performance is a true work of art. But, all the entire players, including Noah Beery Jr. and James Best are perfectly cast. A true game of hearts, mind, and soul. Not to be missed. 10/10

I saw this movie a couple times and enjoyed it. Andy Griffith plays a a great role as a psychopath stalking a young man through the desert and mountains. This is the only time I have seen Andy Griffith play a bad guy, and he did it to a tee. I would highly recommend this film if you can ever catch it on TV.

This movie must have shocked a lot of people when it first came out because it was Andy Griffith's first villain role. He has since played several other "baddies" (such as in Murder In Coweta County his best). There was a story I read in high school called The Most Dangerous Game about a mad hunter with a taste for human prey. This grim chase thriller follows Andy as he hunts his young guide through the desert after an accidental shooting. Griffith must have had a ball shedding his image. This is one of those 70s films that is hard to catch today, but its worth your watch.