The Young Savages

"Here is Raw Truth… Nailed to the Screen!"

1961 1h 43m EN

👍

6.5

SOLID

★6.5TMDB · 44

CrimeDramaThriller

Synopsis

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A district attorney investigates the racially charged case of three teenagers accused of the murder of a blind Puerto Rican boy.

“Here is Raw Truth… Nailed to the Screen!”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Burt Lancaster
Hank Bell
Dina Merrill
Karin Bell
Edward Andrews
R. Daniel Cole
Vivian Nathan
Mrs. Escalante
Shelley Winters
Mary diPace
Larry Gates
Randolph
Telly Savalas
Detective Lt. Gunderson
Pilar Seurat
Louisa Escalante

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: John Frankenheimer
Writers: Edward Anhalt, J.P. Miller
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

65 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by John Frankenheimer, shot by Lionel Lindon. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by David Amram. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Eda Warren shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Burt Lancaster and Dina Merrill and Edward Andrews carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Here is Raw Truth… Nailed to the Screen!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0055633 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 44 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

John Frankenheimer directs. Lionel Lindon behind the camera. David Amram scores. Eda Warren cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

165 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by John Frankenheimer, shot by Lionel Lindon. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by David Amram. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Eda Warren shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Burt Lancaster and Dina Merrill and Edward Andrews carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Here is Raw Truth… Nailed to the Screen!".
7IMDB entry: tt0055633 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 44 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Lionel Lindon
Original score: David Amram
Editing: Eda Warren
Costume design: Jack Angel
Makeup / hair: Robert J. Schiffer
Runtime: 103 min · 1h 43m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: The Young Savages (1961)

Also by

John Frankenheimer

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2025-01-07
★ 7/10
Burt Lancaster turns in quite a considered performance here as the assistant DA charged with prosecuting three lads for the murder of a blind fifteen year old boy who was sitting on the steps outside his home. There's no jeopardy as to the crime, nor to it's perpetrators - we all see that at the start, but what does now ensue is a reasonable foray into the psychology of urban living in a city rise with racism, bigotry, sexism, mental illness and intimidation. With his boss (Edward Andrews) going for the state Governor's job, there's political pressure on him to deliver a clear and concise result, but the more he explores their respective living environments, he begins to appreciate a little more of the causes of the never ending cycle of violence, poverty and crime that exists in so many communities. Though it's a little schoolboy in nature, it also takes a look at the psychology of a killer and demonstrates that there may be more recognisable, psychopathic, traits but there are also other pressures in relation to acceptance, or bullying or fear that drive people to start or join gangs, and to go with the flow - even when they know it's the wrong thing to do. It maybe does contrive to throw one too many issues into the melting pot, but on the whole it's a solid vehicle for a star, is quite thought-provoking at times, and is worth a watch.

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