The Savage State (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1978, The Savage State is a drama film directed by Francis Girod, running about 112 minutes.
What it’s about. L'Etat Sauvage is based on the novel by Georges Conchon which won the highly esteemed Prix de Goncourt. The story chronicles the mindless racism of both the departing French colonial overlords and the emergent black Africans in a newly emerging African state. Laurence (Marie-Christine Barrault) suffers the outrage of her white acquaintances, including her former lover Gravenoir (Claude Brasseur) and her ex-husband Avit (Jacques Dutronc), for her affair with Patrice Doumbe (Doura Mane), an official in the new government. He in turn is ridiculed by his fellow cabinet ministers for stepping out with a white woman. The vilification escalates to such a point that Patrice is brutally murdered, and Laurence barely escapes the country alive, with the help of her ex-husband Avit.
Who’s in it. The Savage State stars Marie-Christine Barrault as Laurence, Claude Brasseur as Gravenoire, Jacques Dutronc as Avit and Doura Mané as Doumbe, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, The Savage State has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Savage State page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Savage State tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Savage State (1978)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Savage State change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Savage State worth watching?
- The Savage State holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Savage State?
- The Savage State stars Marie-Christine Barrault, Claude Brasseur, Jacques Dutronc, Doura Mané and Michel Piccoli.
- When was The Savage State released?
- The Savage State was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 112 minutes.