Horton Madec (Andy Griffith) is an out of towner with a lot of money. He's out to bag some bighorn sheep but needs a guide...so he asks Ben (Sam Bottoms) to show him about the southwest desert in search of his prey. However, soon Horton is being sloppy and shoots at something without a clear idea what it is...and it turns out to be a man. Instead of owning up to this, he quickly buries the guy. But Ben discovers the corpse and cannot allow Horton to just walk away from this. However, Horton has the trump card...he's got the rifle. So, he strips Ben down to just his pants and sends him into the desert to die. But, just to make sure, he tags along behind him and hunts for Ben! Nice guy, huh...and quite the sadist as Horton REALLY enjoys the hunt.This is yet another film where Andy Griffith seemed to be trying to exorcise his nice-guy demons (after all, he was the sweet and affable sheriff on TV for many years). So with films like "Pray for the Wildcats" and "Savages" he clearly was playing against type...deliberately choosing the most vicious sorts of characters! As far as the plot goes, the first two thirds of the film is best. After Ben returns home...well that's where, occasionally, the film makes less sense. Why the cops didn't believe Ben's story (especially in light of his exposure injuries) is inexplicable. Still, it's well made and well worth seeing...especially to see Andy Griffith's 'evil twin' at work!!

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.

This movie must have shocked a lot of people when it first came out because it was Andy Griffith's first villain role. He has since played several other "baddies" (such as in Murder In Coweta County his best). There was a story I read in high school called The Most Dangerous Game about a mad hunter with a taste for human prey. This grim chase thriller follows Andy as he hunts his young guide through the desert after an accidental shooting. Griffith must have had a ball shedding his image. This is one of those 70s films that is hard to catch today, but its worth your watch.

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