Film Snail

6.7

Savage

NR·2019·101m

Crime

Summary

Inspired by the true stories of New Zealand's street gangs across 30 years, we follow Danny at three defining moments in his life as he grows from a boy into the violent enforcer of a gang.

Cast

John Tui

Moses

Jake Ryan

Danny

Olly Presling

Danny

Seth Flynn

Liam

Chelsie Preston Crayford

Flo

Erroll Shand

Josh

Dominic Ona-Ariki

Dice

Cameron Brown

Pony

Jack Parker

Young Liam

Creedence Phillips

Dregs

Eden Flynn

Child Liam

Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson

Teen Moses

James Matamua

Teen Danny

Jack William Parker

Teen Liam

Alex Raivaru

Tug

Lotima Pome'e

Young Moses

Aaliyah Wilson

Lily

Poroaki Merritt-McDonald

Red

Taiti Ahiao

Buck

Tui Rererangi Aitken

Child Chloe

Jovan Beazley

Josh

Tanis Bosson

Terry

Locky J Campion

Horde Fighter

Camella Cody

Girl in Alleyway

Mario Cooper

Sparks

Riley Dane

Moses Savage 3

Dane Davidson-Trotter

Sick

Mathew Dorward

Moses Savage 60

Jesse Drysdale

Savage Prospect

Sina Esera

Dice’s Wife

Theodora Esera

Singing Woman

Eteuati Ete

Dice’s Father

Richard Falkner

Lynch

Tim Gordon

Constable Flint

Aaron Gunn

Tug Savage 54 (Band Member)

Stephen Hall

Webbs

Peter Hambleton

Bus Driver

Rachel Henry

Matron

Olivia Hunter

Girl in Alleyway

Simone Kelly

Kayla

Katie Korewha

Rat

Nathaniel Lees

Priest

Renee Lyons

Nurse

Papahia Hirini Kemp Maika

Goat

James Manttan

Ambulance Officer

Ryan Clifford Marsh

Band Member

Stuart McDonald

Blush

Dra McKay

Shopkeeper

Paul McLaughlin

Constable Gardner

Callum Moore

Savage Associate 80

Hariata Moriarty

Girl talking to Terry

Taofi Mose-Nehemia

Babs

Maaka Pohatu

Savage Guitarist

Dave Randall

Ambulance Officer

Collin Robertson

Flipper Savage 72

Zakkaari Rokkanno

Savage Associate 84

Erroll Shand

Skidds

Ray Smith

Ben

Leva Sua

Tug Savage 50 (Barman)

Tess Sullivan

Nurse

Matthew Sunderland

Dad

Doug Ten Broeke

Band Member

John Vaimoli

Zach

Meredith Dooley

Woman on Bus (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Writer

Sam Kelly

Reviews

Geronimo1967

March 27, 2022

This film offers quite a fascinating insight into gang culture in New Zealand that is certainly violent, but also sophisticated and layered. I'll admit to squirming slightly in my seat for the first few minutes - that is pretty angry - but shortly thereafter we are exposed to the story of how "Danny - aka Damage" (Jake Ryan) went from being a small boy in a big family with an abusive father living on the poverty line to a feared and dreaded gang enforcer. Reduced to having to steal food, he is apprehended by the police and shoved into the care system - abandoned by his family and at the mercy of some rather brutal and predatory officials as he grows up. On the way, he befriends "Moses" (John Tui) and in order to protect each other and to get themselves some respect, they start a gang "the Savages". It's the realism that is striking about this Sam Kelly film. Such a far cry from the picturesque scenes we are accustomed to seeing from NZ, this offers a glimpse of the true existences of these men on the periphery of society with their own rules - an honour code - that woebetide anyone who crosses. The characterisations elicit pathos and detestation but as it builds, there is a prevailing humanity that has never quite left "Danny" and what he really hankers after for himself starts to take hold of, and question, his loyalties. Don't be put off by the first five minutes, it is an intelligent and thought-provoking story well worth watching.