Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Les Dents du diable' or 'Ombre bianche')

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/nicholas_ray.htm
USA 1959

 

Nicholas Ray's epic 1959 film about Eskimo life was unfairly victimized on release, censored at the UK cinema, and neglected by both TV and home video for decades. The Savage Innocents continued Ray's fascination with alternative lifestyles — examining the life of Eskimos and their remoteness from "civilized" values. It represents Ray's first and most ambitious attempt to break free from Hollywood and forge his own route.

Anthony Quinn (La Strada, Zorba the Greek) stars as Inuk, an Eskimo whose daily routine is a constant struggle to survive in one of the most hostile and hauntingly beautiful of climates. As Inuk's family grows in number (and mouths to feed) a new society of white trappers with new weaponry begin to encroach Inuit land, making it harder for Inuk to live. When the clash of cultures results in the accidental death of a missionary, Inuk must use all his skills to keep one step ahead of the two Mounties (Peter O'Toole and Carlo Giustini) determined to bring the killer to justice.

With award-winning colour 'Scope photography by Aldo Tonti (Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, Rossellini's India), The Savage Innocents is one of Ray's most shocking explorations of custom and honor. Adapted by Ray, Franco Solinas (The Battle of Algiers) and Hans Ruesch (author of the controversial 1979 anti-vivisection tract, Slaughter of the Innocents) from Ruesch's best selling novel, Top of the World, and featuring a score by the Italian composer Angelo Francesco Lavagnino (Chimes at Midnight) the film remains as fresh and exotic as the year in which it was released.

***

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.

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 1st, 1960

Reviews                                                                                                   More Reviews                                                                                        DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Eureka (The Masters of Cinema Series) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Olive Films - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - LEFT

2) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray RIGHT

 

Box Cover

 

Distribution Eureka - Master's of Cinema Spine # 26 - Region 0 - PAL

Olive Films

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray

Runtime 1:49:16  1:50:38.590 
Video 2.27:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 8.10 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

2.39:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 27,269,430,361 bytes

Feature: 27,129,231,360 bytes

Video Bitrate: 28.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Bitrate: Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0)  DTS-HD Master Audio English 1983 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1983 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English, None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Eureka  Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.2.27:1

Edition Details:

• Full-length audio commentary by critics David Ehrenstein and Bill Krohn
• Promotional material gallery
• 32-page booklet replete with copious original promotional materials

DVD Release Date: January 23rd, 2006

Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio: Olive
 

2.39:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 27,269,430,361 bytes

Feature: 27,129,231,360 bytes

Video Bitrate: 28.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• none

Blu-ray Release Date:
June 27th, 2017
Standard Blu-ray Case
Chapters:
12

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were obtained directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: (June 2017) Olive - Region 'A' - Blu-ray: Olive's 1080P is so welcome for this highly impacting Nicholas Ray film. It's in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and shows much more information in the frame than the Masters of Cinema SD, of over a decade ago. Certainly far in advance of the pan-and-scan from  ITV (see sample below). The high bitrate image transfer looks very good. There are a few inconsistencies - but they see more likely part of the film's source. Colors (flesh tones) are more true, contrast (snowy whites), detail rises - the visuals all tighten, and there is some depth notable. I was, also, impressed with the in-motion presentation.

Olive use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at a healthy 1983 kbps (24-bit) and the film effects - animal sounds, gun firing etc., carry depth and can sound impacting. The film's dramatic symphony music is credited to Angelo Francesco Lavagnino (Chimes at Midnight, Othello, Legend of the Lost), with occasional epic-sounding choir-infused score and it certainly benefits from the lossless rendering. Thee are optional English subtitles on the Region 'A' Blu-ray disc.

Very unfortunately no extras at all. This film deserves much more - it is such a powerful viewing experience and thankfully the commentary is still there on the MoC DVD for those who, luckily, have that DVD. The Olive price is exorbitant considering the bare-bone status.

The film is very strongly recommended! I am always deeply impacted by it and the skills of Ray. Own this Blu-ray - one day.

***

NOTE: Unfortunately, there appears to be a dispute over the rights for this film and MoC have withdrawn their DVD edition from all stores - it being replaced by a shoddy ITV edition (see comparison capture below). The ITV is 4:3 pan and scan (of a 2.35:1 film!), and it's cut. Terrible print, and they've spelt Anthony Quinn's name wrong on the front sleeve "Antohny".

"It's hard to believe that this DVD of Nicholas Ray's THE SAVAGE INNOCENTS has been released by a major company, in England, in 2007. Its quality shows nothing but contempt for the format and for the filmmaker. It has scenes missing (it's the cut version), it is framed at 1.33:1 (it's pan and scan instead of the luminous 2.35:1 Scope
that Nicholas Ray intended), and it's from a terrible 1980s era transfer made for TV. There are no extras, and to really kick the film in the teeth --- ITV DVD have spelt "Anthony Quinn"'s name wrongly on the front cover.

One look at the screengrab of the ITV DVD below, compared to the MoC Series edition, makes it clear which version should be tracked down. Not only is half of the image lost horizontally on the new ITV DVD edition, but the top and bottom is cropped too. It really is a dreadful DVD and one of the worst I've seen in a long, long time.

I only hope that a fine company like Criterion can do the film justice in the USA... Nicholas Ray is not in the Criterion Collection yet. Meanwhile, the MoC Series edition, anamorphic 2.35:1, with commentary track, and 28-page booklet, seems to still be available at cd-wow or amazon.co.uk marketplace for those that are interested...
"
 

-Nick Wrigley, Masters of Cinema

NOTE: re: THE SAVAGE INNOCENTS, you might want to add that the MoC edition is 10 minutes longer than the Spanish SUEVIA FILMS edition (that edition is also 2.35:1 but is non-anamorphic). (Thanks Steve!)

****

This Eureka DVD is progressive and anamorphic with bright intense colors. The print used for the first 15 minutes seems to have had some limitations and shows some haziness. There are fairly slim back borders at the edges indicating a minimizing of horizontal resolution. I also see this DVD image exhibiting some moiring and it can appear quite heavy in spots. Although perhaps a notch below MoC's other releases in image quality, this still looks quite acceptable to me. The commentary is very good - both Ehrenstein and Krohn are intelligent film scholars and they bring up many prevalent issues and genuinely seem to be having a good time relating other films to The Savage Innocents. Clearing up details regarding the actress Anna May Wong playing Hiko who is not THE Anna May Wong (from Shanghai Express and Piccadilly) although she was originally desired for the role, are details that are relatively unknown by most film fans. It is great to hear things like that discussed. A wonderfully appointed booklet is included and a digital gallery of posters and lobby cards. I applaud Eureka for bringing this masterpiece film to their digital lineup and taking the effort that they have (commentary, booklet). Film fans should be very appreciative of their efforts. We strongly recommend!   

Gary W. Tooze

 

 


DVD Menus


 

Olive - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Subtitle Sample

 

Screen Captures

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) ITV - Region 2- PAL - MIDDLE

3) Olive Films Region 'A'  - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


More Blu-ray Captures

 


Box Cover

 

Distribution Eureka - Master's of Cinema Spine # 26 - Region 0 - PAL

Olive Films

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray

 




 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

 CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!