Savannah (2013)

Drama about the friendship between an Oxford-educated Southerner and a former black slave in turn-of-the-century Savannah.

Director:

Annette Haywood-Carter

Writers:

Ken Carter, Annette Haywood-Carter

Stars:

Jim Caviezel, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jaimie Alexander

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Caviezel	...	Ward Allen
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Christmas Moultrie
Jaimie Alexander	...	Lucy Stubbs
Bradley Whitford	...	Jack Cay
Sam Shepard	...	Mr. Stubbs
Tracey Walter	...	Mathias
Jack McBrayer	...	Sir Graham
Hal Holbrook	...	Judge Harden
Simone Griffeth	...	Mrs. Stubbs
George Whitford	...	Little Jack Whitford
Doug Nemeth	...	Cowardly Policeman
Billy Hester	...	Roy McClain
Richard Seng	...	Homer Peeples
Solon Carter	...	Scared Paperboy
Daniel Jones	...	Savannah Sheriff

Storyline

SAVANNAH is the true story of Ward Allen, a romantic and bombastic character who rejects his plantation heritage for the freedom of life on a river. Ward navigates the change of early 20th century America on the wrong side of the law and society, his loyal friend, a freed slave named Christmas Moultrie, at his side. Master of Shakespeare, and the shotgun that provides Savannah's markets with fowl, Ward fights for his rights as a hunter. His charisma and eloquent rhetoric win the heart of a society woman who defies her father to marry him. An elderly Moultrie tells the story of life on the river with his friend to a little boy, who passes the legendary Ward Allen down to the next generation.

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Plot Keywords:

shooting lesson | barbershop | dead animal | animal death | hunt | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief sexuality.

Did You Know?

Trivia

There is scene shortly after the film flashes to 1922 where Ward and Christmas are discussing the construction of "Imperial." The characters are referring to Imperial Sugar, which is the modern day corporate name for Dixie Crystal, who built their sugar refinery on Savannah's marsh front in 1916.

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Goofs

In the film, Ward Allen died in 1922. He was born in 1856, so he would have been 66 years old, but Jim Caviezel was 44 during filming. Ward Allen actually died in 1931 at the age of 75.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Christmas Moultrie: [hearing a distant gunshot] Boy, that one missed his muster.
Little Jack Whitford: Did he miss?
Christmas Moultrie: Oh, yes sir. Ward Allen, missed his muster.
Little Jack Whitford: Aw, come on, Christmas.
Christmas Moultrie: Uncle John told me the stories.
Little Jack Whitford: Tell me another story, Christmas. The one in the war, nearly killed that Russian.
Christmas Moultrie: Come on now, Jack, I told ya that story a hundred times.

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Soundtracks

Wade In The Watah
Written by Ian Green
Performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ian Green
featuring the Soultone Singers
Produced and arranged by Ian Green

User Reviews

Beautifully lyrical film, about a different drummer man, played by the wonderful Jim Caviezel, very romantic in parts

Ward Allen (Jim Caviezel) likes what he likes. Born into a family of wealth in Savannah Georgia at the turn of the twentieth century, he nevertheless does not become a businessman. Instead, he likes to be on the marshes near the ocean, hunting duck for the fine restaurants of Savannah. With him is his constant companion and partner, Christmas (Chiwetel Efiolor), a former slave. This alone is a cause of gossip at a time when whiles and African Americans didn't socialize in the South. but, in truth, Ward just loves the "wild places" over sitting in an office somewhere. Very handsome, he catches the eye of a lovely woman, Lucy Stubbs (Jamie Alexander) who her stuffy father (Sam Shepherd) has promised to another man. Yet, Lucy is also a lady who walks to a different beat. She shuns her father's choice and pursues Ward. Soon, they are married and living in Ward's opulent mansion. Still, his married state doesn't change Ward, who continues to hunt and get roaring drunk at the local bars, where he tells long stories. From time to time, Ward is also hauled before a judge (Hal Holbrook) for charges of hunting in forbidden waterways. Yet, Ward always gets off easy, for the judge likes him and his strong arguments for his chosen profession. Naturally, this creates some conflict for Lucy, especially when she discovers she is expecting a baby. Will Ward ever change? This beautifully lyrical movie, an homage to the loveliness of Savannah and its surroundings, will charm a certain type of movie fan. Its quiet, unusual story is paired with sumptuous scenery for a visually stunning experience. Also, Caviezel is one attractive and talented man, an actor who tops my list of "men who can make the heart pound". Alexander, Holbrook, Shepherd, Efiolor and all of the supporting cast is very fine, also. Do you consider yourself drawn to artistic, independent flicks? Take a trip to this Savannah soon.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Savannah River - Freiheit am Fluss

Filming Locations:

Savannah, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,599, 25 August 2013

Gross USA:

$37,240

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,240

Company Credits

Production Co:

Unclaimed Freight Productions, Meddin Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Soundelux

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1