The Savage is Loose
Encyclopedia
The Savage is Loose is a 1974 psychological melodrama that addresses incest
within a small marooned family on a deserted island. It starred George C. Scott
, who also served as director and distributor.
) and their infant son David (played by both Lee Montgomery
and John David Carson
) are the only survivors of a ship that crashes into the rocky beach of an uncharted island during a violent storm. By 1912, David, now a seemingly happy 12-year-old boy, begins to enter puberty
. By the time he is 17, David is consumed by lust for his mother, which drives a wedge between him and his father to the point where they hunt each other down for the affections of the only woman on the island.
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
within a small marooned family on a deserted island. It starred George C. Scott
George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr...
, who also served as director and distributor.
Plot
In 1902, John (Scott), his much younger wife Maida (Scott's real-life wife, Trish Van DevereTrish Van Devere
Trish Van Devere is an American actress.-Early life:Van Devere was born as Patricia Louise Dressel in Tenafly, New Jersey. She was married to the actor George C...
) and their infant son David (played by both Lee Montgomery
Lee Montgomery
Lee Montgomery was a child actor in the 1970s, best known for his role as a lonely little boy who befriends a pack of killer rats in the film, Ben .-Hollywood:...
and John David Carson
John David Carson
John David Carson was an American actor. He was born in North Hollywood, California. Carson began his career at a young age, acting in television advertisements, and later doing cartoon voice-acting for Hanna-Barbera. He attended Los Angeles Valley College where he played a lead role in their 1969...
) are the only survivors of a ship that crashes into the rocky beach of an uncharted island during a violent storm. By 1912, David, now a seemingly happy 12-year-old boy, begins to enter puberty
Puberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction, as initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads; the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy...
. By the time he is 17, David is consumed by lust for his mother, which drives a wedge between him and his father to the point where they hunt each other down for the affections of the only woman on the island.
Reception
The film was released late in 1974, but failed to find an audience. Director Scott felt the adult themes led to the film getting a "R" rating, leading the viewers to abandon the film upon its release. He later said the "R" rating killed the possible success the film may have had and that a rating census like the one for Sweet Sweetback's Badass Song could have been pursued.Production
The film was photographed entirely on location south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was produced by Campbell Devon Productions and distributed by George C. Scott through WCII on video (now out of print).Crew
- Director - George C. Scott
- Screenplay - Max EhrlichMax EhrlichMax Michaelis Ehrlich was a German actor, screenwriter, and director on the German theater, comedy and cabaret scene of the 1930s.-Biography:...
- Screenplay - Frank de felitta
- Executive Producer - Robert Relyea
- Producer - George C. Scott
- Cinematography - Alex Phillips Jr.
- Editor - Michael KahnMichael Kahn (film editor)Michael Kahn is an American film editor. His credits range from TV's Hogan's Heroes to feature films directed by George C. Scott and Steven Spielberg, with whom he has had an extended, notable collaboration over more than thirty years.Kahn is a member of the American Cinema Editors...
- Music - Gil MelleGil MelleGil Mellé was an American artist, jazz musician and film composer.In the 1950s, Mellé's paintings and sculptures were shown in New York galleries and he created the cover art for albums by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins...
- Art Direction - Augustin Ytuarte
- Set Decorator - Enrique Estevez
- Sound Rerecording Mixer - Richard R. Portman
- Sound Mixer - Dennis Maitland
- Assistant Director - Joseph Lenzi
- Assistant Director - Jesus Marin
- Paintings - Edward Miracle
- Titles - Edward Miracle