Coventry Good old Andy Griffith is mostly known and legendary for his leading roles in the long-running TV hits "The Andy Griffith Show" and, of course, Grampa Simpson's favorite "Matlock". I have to be very honest and admit I've never seen a single episode of these two series, nor anything else he ever did. Having only seen this ABC movie of the week "Savages", I can only say it's regrettable that this man didn't portray any more villainous characters throughout his career instead of making ten thousand episodes of the same damn show! Griffith depicts one of the most loathsome types of bad guys in this film: an obnoxious, rich, sleazy and egocentric elderly guy who thinks he's more powerful than God himself. The performance is very convincing, and solely based on his portrayal of Horton Madec, I think Griffith should have played more roles like it. Horton Madec headed out to the desert to hunt for mountain ram trophies, but the trip doesn't really goes as planned. When Madec (accidentally?) kills a local hermit, his youthful guide Ben wants to do the right thing and report it. The old man fears a scandal and offers Ben a bribe. When he refuses, Madec forces Ben to strip off his clothes and wander through the hot desert without food or water. The young man is strong, but Madec chases him around in his jeep and rifles. "Savages" is a bit of a misleading title. It's in plural even though there's only one baddie and he isn't even a savage but more like a sophisticated and eloquent villain. If the plot sounds vaguely familiar, it's because you have probably seen it numerous times before already. The "hunting humans" storyline is one of the most popular themes in the horror/action business and exists since the early 1930's, with the timeless classic "The Most Dangerous Game". Since then the same plot has been reworked into versions, each with a different setting or specific type of characters, for example a prison in "Blood Camp Thatcher. This plot always works and practically guarantees a suspenseful movie. "Savages" simply replaces the tropical island setting with a seemingly endless and baking desert, but it's enough. This is a TV-production, so don't expect any extreme violence, but director Lee Katzin ("Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice?") provides enough tense atmosphere and beautiful imagery.

bob_meg Why aren't the TV networks open to fresh, compelling stuff like they were forty years ago? Who knows? You'd think it would be a tremendous benefit to both burgeoning filmmakers and the networks alike."Savages" is another one of those gems that graced the Movie of the Week time slot (usually on ABC) and is now, sadly, unavailable. You can still find kind souls willing to sell you home tapes of it on eBay, though, and this one is worth the hunting.The comparisons to Spielberg's "Duel" here on IMDb are not unwarranted in the least. In a way, this movie, while not being as well-made (what could be?) is more brutal and hard to watch mostly because of Andy Griffith's no-holds-barred performance, which amounts to nothing less than evil incarnate.I saw this on TV as a child, and back then, I saw only similarities to "The Most Dangerous Game." But after a few more viewings, I think it's quite different. The key to this puzzle is: "Did Maddock set the entire scenario up with the Sam Bottoms character from the start? Did he really intend to hunt him?" I'm not completely sure he did, now that I've seen it a few more times. I think it really did start as a legitimate hunting accident, and then Maddock's sadistic nature just took over. And does it ever...Griffith howls hysterically as he forces the bare-chested, bare-footed guide to tumble down rocky ravines; gleefully blows holes in his canteen; and waves iced martinis under his nose as he's dying of thirst. He cold be the most hateful baddie in all of TV movie-dom, and Griffith eats the role up with a spoon.Even when they're out of the desert, the tension doesn't quit, and there's good supporting work here from Noah Beery and Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane himself, James Best, looking extremely young and fit.The only thing that mars it is the horrendous music, which is as bad as anything on TV ever got, and the fact that it's difficult if not impossible to find a print of this that's not deteriorating in some manner.We need a best of TV movie box....with "Dying Room Only," "Bad Ronald," "Shattered Silence," "The Girl Most Likely To...," "Terror on the Beach," "Outrage," "Night Cries," "A Case of Rape," etc. We'll likely never see the likes of them again.

weho90069 Nineteen year old Sam Bottoms is made to wander miserablythrough the desert without food, water, shoes, or clothes (save apair of shorts). He's been forced to surrender his belongings to asadistic, rifle-wielding adversary -- Andy Griffith (yes, ANDYGRIFFITH -- no kidding!!!). Griffith gets sick kicks from huntingpeople instead of "conventional" prey, and will track Bottoms downfor the big kill unless the youngster can outwit him...Folks familiar with the fine 1930s suspense film "The MostDangerous Game" will see distinct plot parallels. "The MostDangerous Game" possesses one of the most regurgitated plotdevices in Hollywood history: that of the demented hunter with apenchant for tracking down human prey. It's turned up on "FantasyIsland" as well as "Gilligan's Island" and for all we know may oneday 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 ofurgency, this is highly charged, suspenseful, top flightentertainment turned out by a solid, committed cast. Rugged locales and spare production values enhance what is alurid melodrama full of tension between the principal actors. Thereare even a couple genuine scares that may make you jump out ofyour seat!Andy Griffith is truly arch in his role as villain, brilliantly cast againsttype. He seems to relish this opportunity to stretch every momenthe's on screen (and who can blame him after so many yearsplaying the Good Guy in dreary, old Mayberry?!?). Likable young pup Sam Bottoms appears sincerely vulnerable andsympathetic, trudging barefoot through rugged desert terrain andtumbling down treacherous ravines. He turns in an earnest andathletic performance and for all he goes through, and with the helpof some excellent make-up effects, it's difficult not to imaginesome 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 andtorments his young prey...the sadistic overtones of his characterbarely restrained... ...or golden-boy hottie Bottoms, the bewildered but stalwart hero,first degraded at gunpoint to strip for the camera, then forced tosubject his lithe, attractive body to any number of physicalhumiliations 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 the21st century (particularly those born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s) thatsome excellent productions were crafted for television way back inthe 1970s. The Movie Of The Week format often proved itself: fresh,young talent was given a place to shine, and veteran performersreceived some choice opportunities to expand their repertoire.

rollo_tomaso 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