Inuk (Anthony Quinn) is an Eskimo living in the Arctic Circle. He wants a wife, but they're in a shortage as the male population is far larger than the female population. He takes a wife called Asiak, and while hunting a polar bear, meets an Eskimo with a gun. He is fascinated by the gun and journeys out to a trade post with his wife and her mother.
It's memorable because of the vast white landscapes and the crazy characters, but also quite an irritating ordeal to watch. Inuk may be an accurate character, but he is isn't a sympathetic one. He is ignorant, self-centred and speaks like an autistic Yoda. Actually, all the Eskimo characters speak like an autistic Yoda. Instead of saying I'll go hunting he says "Someone needs to hunt". The characters constantly refer to themselves as someone, but this only touches the iceberg (lol).
Inuk kills an innocent man because he rejects laughing with his husband. How can I like any character after that. Above all else, the laughing is the worst thing about this film. Inuk and his wife laugh at EVERYTHING. They can't have a normal conversation without the aggravating laughter. If Eskimos do this, they should have glanced over it for the film, as it is not good film-making. Quin maybe giving a valid attempt at a portrayal of an Eskimo, however his whole performance gets very close to racism. Thankfully Peter O'Toole appears and saves the day 30 minutes from the end.
Overall the film is fairly enjoyable. If you look past these bothersome aspects, the film is well made, and visually gorgeous. Ray's directing is spot-on, mixing the Eskimo's lifestyle with rock and roll. He doesn't shy away from the detestable (from outsiders point of view) aspects of the Eskimo's lifestyle. The film features animal cruelty, and a family tradition where they leave their mother behind in the Arctic wastes when she is too old (Ballad of Narayama much?). This was the most touching scene of the film, but I do wish the rest of the film was as engaging as this moment.
Whether this 'The Savage Innocents' is realistic, or not is a different question. I find it hard to believe they are as savage and irritating as they are portrayed. Half of the reviews say it's authentic, while the other call it inaccurate and insulting. I honestly have no idea. As much as I want to believe it's authentic, I highly doubt it is.
TO CONCLUDE
Ray portrays the Arctic as a beautiful and harsh place. The characters of this oddity are irritating, and there are a couple of cringe-worthy moments, but it's worth a watch for a cinematic experience quite unlike any other.
SCORE
71
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