The Savage Innocents

19601960
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 50m

An Eskimo who has had little contact with white men goes to a trading post where he accidentally kills a missionary and finds himself being pursued by the police.An Eskimo who has had little contact with white men goes to a trading post where he accidentally kills a missionary and finds himself being pursued by the police.An Eskimo who has had little contact with white men goes to a trading post where he accidentally kills a missionary and finds himself being pursued by the police.

6.9/10

1.8K

Director
- Nicholas Ray
Writers
- Hans Ruesch(adaptation)
- Franco Solinas(adaptation)
- Baccio Bandini(adaptation)
Stars

Top credits

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination

Anthony Quinn and Yôko Tani in The Savage Innocents (1960)

Anthony Quinn in The Savage Innocents (1960)

Director
- Nicholas Ray
Writers
- Hans Ruesch(adaptation) (novel "Top of the World")
- Franco Solinas(adaptation)
- Baccio Bandini(adaptation)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

An Eskimo who has had little contact with white men goes to a trading post where he accidentally kills a missionary and finds himself being pursued by the police.

actual animal killed civilization igloo stereotype cultural differences 16 more

Taglines
- A moving story of the clash between the primitive Polar world and modern civilisation. [Video]
Genres
Certificate
- Not Rated
Parents guide

Trivia
It was seeing this film, as an upcoming singer/songwriter, that inspired the young Bob Dylan to write the song "The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)."

Goofs
After giving the bear the baited food, Inuk initially chases it empty handed, then appears with a spear.

Quotes
Missionary: The Lord be with you.
Inuk: No, just Asiak, Powtee and me. We do not know Lord.
Missionary: A very short sleep ago, you both offended Him.
Inuk: Oh, we did not know. One must apologize.
Missionary: If you will listen to my words and believe in me,the Lord will come and stay with you and follow you in all your travels.
Asiak: [whispers to Inuk] We do not want another with us.
Inuk: Maybe he good hunter.
[to Missionary]
Inuk: We will be pleased if your friend comes with us.
Asiak: He must bring his own sled. Will this Lord bring everything He needs?
Missionary: He will bring you faith.
Inuk: [Puzzled look on face] Faith?
Missionary: That wonderful light that drives back the shadows of sin.
Inuk: [after a moment's thought] OH, light, LIGHT, ahhh...
Asiak: It is good, Inuk,if it is the kind at the trading post, we could save it up for the winter, and our eyes will not get tired anymore...
Inuk: [Offering missionary a bowl of food with live worms wriggling in it] Here is something you will like...
Missionary: [Pushing bowl away] I come to give, not to receive.
Asiak: It is old marrow, it is much better, it is old and full of worms...
Missionary: Maybe another time, not right now.
Inuk: [whispers to Asiak] Has this white man come to insult us?
Missionary: Men don't live by bread alone.
Asiak: [to Inuk] Maybe he wants to laugh with a woman.

Connections
Referenced in Lightning Over Water (1980)

Soundtracks
Sexy Rock
Written by Angelo Francesco Lavagnino and Mario Panzeri
Performed by Colin Hicks

Top review

10/10

one of the best

I saw and heard Anthony Quinn in a television interview about his autobiography which had just been published. He said that there were only three films out of the many that he had made in his life that he was truly proud of. The Savage Innocents was one of the three. (Guess what the other two were. Right! Zorba and La Strada.) This estimation puts this movie in with some very select company. And this film deserves it.

It is NOT a documentary. There is a story here, an exciting story, at times edge of your seat--or maybe I should say, a number of stories, all interesting, all moving. The photography, sound, scenery, acting, all were excellent.

What struck me most, out of a long list, was the way the point of view of these Inuit people was gotten across. For instance, the missionary butts his head into the igloo and says, "God be with you." Quinn looks puzzled, glances at his wife and says, "No, there's nobody here but us." When the missionary goes on preaching at them, trying to convert them to the "true" faith, Quinn whispers to his wife, "I think he needs to laugh with a woman. Make yourself beautiful." In other words, the guy needs to get laid. The Freudian insight implied by these simple remarks is staggering. And this is only a small sample.

Perhaps the fate of this movie had a lot to do with the advertising. The picture at the top of this page suggests that this is a "savage" movie. It isn't. The title itself is unfortunate.

Yes, when oh when will we get to see this movie again? When will the savage and not-so-innocent moguls deign to put this beautiful film onto DVD?

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