source: Top of the World

Moviecut—Top of the World

The Savage Innocents

This movie presents an intriguing picture of two widely dissimilar cultures coming together. The Eskimos are simple and innocent, but ideally suited and armed with the knowledge to survive one of the harshest places that people inhabit. One my favorite moments occurs when the officer says he can subdue the main character by himself, to which the main character replies, "You are that strong?", showing the absence of boastfulness in the Eskimo culture, which stems from the cooperative nature necessary to survival. The stark and uncluttered settings give space to concentrate on the dialog. Definitely worth watching

I haven't seen this film for years.......but would love to again. I remember this film as an accurate description of Inuit culture and mores of the time. It is an educational journey into innocent tundra social structure (if any) intermingling occasionally with modern (at the time) Western culture. Anthony Quinn was brilliant in this role...and probably created for it. And..., oh my God,....that was Peter O'Toole in his very first role??? No wonder I loved him afterwards......even being dubbed (why??) he showed sensitivity in dealing with both the savage(?)Inuit lifestyle, the current legal structure of Western society of the day, and his own personal feelings in the interactions with these primitive peoples. Hey! Where else can a man offer gourmet larvae to his esteemed guests, then offer his wife for any man to "laugh" with, and then take his mother-in-law miles away with a dogsled to go die on the ice with her approval?? Way to go!!

Anthony Quinn at his usual best giving a masterful performance of a native Alaskan Inuit and his daily struggles and challenges. A docu-drama that shows the challenges and struggles when two cultures collide. Great cinematography of the Alaska wilderness its makes you feel as if your right there in the igloo with Inuk and his wife Asiak as they eat whale blubber and hunt seal and birth babies. Gives a feel of life in the Alaskan wilderness from a unique Alaskan native vantage point.

I cant remember which year I saw this film but it was a very long time ago. It did however make quite an impression on me, i enjoyed the glimpse into the lives and traditions of the Eskimo's. and certain events have stayed in my mind all this time. For instance when the aged decided the time was right, they would just sit out on the ice one night, never to be seen again. Awesome. But it was such a long time ago I was thinking i must have imagined it for i have never heard of it since. The title stayed in my head though. Then i decided to look it up on the internet and am very glad to know that I wasn't alone in my regard.

This naturalist adventure yarn from Nick Ray, from the same period he also did WIND ACROSS THE EVERGLADES - another tale in tribute to nature - , is very interesting although not being his best ever feature. The plot reminds me a lot an Andy Marton's movie: WILD NORTH, starring Stew Granger and Wendell Corey; the first in the fugitive - Tony Quinn's character, and the second as the mountained Police officer after him. Nearly same plot but I admit that the 1953 film was more in the Hollywood register, with stronger performances. But this one has maybe more charm, thanks to the music, a very strange music indeed if you consider the context, Igloos and iceland everywhere. Some jazzy like music, as if the action took place in Chicago.... Weird.

This is a very powerful and moving study of the decisions faced by law enforcement when there is clearly a situation not forseen by lawmakers and how a police officer might conclude that the "right" thing to do is not always to follow proper procedure. To me, one of the most moving scenes in the movie is the final scene in which the wife's mother appears. Also, the scene where Anthony Quinn has his chance to escape is a very revealing instance of character. I would very much like to see this movie available on video or DVD.

I have to say that this is one of mine and my husbands favorite movies. My husband recorded it on VHS in the early 80's and that copy is now caputz. I was able to get a copy off of ebay and then converted it over to DVD. We watch is all the time. It is a fantastic example of what we could be. The Inuit of the Alaskan Region are always pictured with huge smiles. Especially those who remain nomadic. Perhaps the joy of waking each morning is enough to make them happy. Yoko Tani and Anthony Quinn are fantastic in their portrayals. I love that this movie reminds me of the very first documentary titled Nanook of the North. I love it love it love it.