 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Savage Sam
- Review Date: November 28, 2011
- NR
- Genre: Classic
- 1963
Common Sense Media says
Old Yeller sequel has Native American stereotypes.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sequel to Old Yeller, while certainly not the tearjerker of that well-known title, is filled with dated portrayals of Native Americans, including name calling ("injuns" and "dirty red devils"). Children are kidnapped. Also, expect extended rifle battles, brotherly rock fights, and scrappy conflicts between the titular dog and a feisty bobcat as well as a pack of wolves.
What's the story?
Left to take care of the ranch while his parents are doing business in San Antonio, Travis (Tommy Kirk) must contend with the stubbornness of his headstrong little brother Arliss. Fortunately, he has the faithful dog Savage Sam on the prowl, as well as his Uncle Beck (Brian Keith) to provide avuncular cowboy wisdom and assistance. But when Arliss ventures out to a cave to help Savage Sam fight a bobcat, Travis pursues him (with the help of neighbor and love interest Lizbeth) and the three are taken captive by a band of Native Americans. It is up to Savage Sam to lead Uncle Beck's posse to the Native Americans' hideout and to help rescue the children.
Is it any good?
While it's enjoyable to see Brian Keith put on his best John Wayne imitation, this sequel to Old Yeller has not aged well, especially in terms of its one-dimensional portrayal of Native Americans. It's a straightforward adventure story of the "cowboys and Indians" variety, with the added inclusion of Yeller's son, the loyal and ever-determined SAVAGE SAM.
While certainly not the notorious tearjerker Old Yeller is known for, Savage Sam could be seen as the embodiment of the kinds of children's films made in the 1950s and early 1960s where dogs are gifted with both supernatural sensory abilities and remarkable understanding of human speech, where the lines between "good guys" and "bad guys" are clearly delineated, where archetypes and stereotypes don't go far enough to break their predicted patterns.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Native Americans are portrayed in this film. How does this reflect the culture of the time in which the film was made, and how does this contrast with how Native Americans are depicted in later films?
The characters are relatively in sync with the animals around them, and the climate and environment in which they work. Why do you think this is, and how would it be different if they spent less time outside?
Remarking on the encroachment of cowboys and pioneers on land where Native Americans had lived for thousands of years, one of the cowboys says that "sometimes it's hard to tell who the savages are." What do you think the character means when he says this?
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| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Norman Tokar |
| Cast: | Brian Keith, Kevin Corcoran, Tommy Kirk |
| Genre: | Classic |
| Run time: | 103 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 1, 1963 |
| DVD release date: | April 22, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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