Director Samuel Fuller's White Dog (1982) remains to this day, over 20 years since it was made, one of the most powerful commentaries on racism ever. Plagued by controversy before it was even completed, this film would never see wide release in the U.S. and would be the last film that Fuller would ever make in the United States. It remains one of the most piercing films on the subject of racism and a film that most Americans have never had a chance to see.

Julie Sawyer (Kristy McNichol), an aspiring actress accidentally hits a beautiful white dog one night with her car, she takes the dog home with her to care for it until its owner can be found. While the dog is friendly and affectionate towards her it shortly becomes clear that it is vicious with others and needs help. Julie takes the dog to an expert animal trainer (Burl Ives) who tells her that her dog is actually a "white dog", a dog that has been specifically trained to attack and kill black people. He urges her to destroy the animal, but his partner; a black animal trainer named Keys (Paul Winfield) disagrees. Keys believes that the hatred inflicted on the animal can be removed and that it doesn't need to be destroyed. He believes what it has been taught can also be untaught. Keys must try to eradicate the evil in the white dog, the evil that men have put there.

White Dog was never shown in U.S. theaters when it was originally made, as studio executives were apparently afraid of the public reaction that the film might receive. The film was released in Europe (to much critical acclaim) but here in the United States it sat languishing for many years finally being seen at some limited showings around the country in the early 1990's. The only familiarity that most Americans have with this film is a very badly re-edited version that ran on cable television in the mid 1980's. In this version the racism elements have been taken out completely, the dog attacks not just black people but anyone! This film is excellently cast; all of the actors do a wonderful job in their respective roles. The main actors (McNichol, Ives and Winfield) do a very good job and really convey the feelings and emotions of their characters as well as the audience. Ennio Morricone's musical score is touching and memorable, although certainly not his best movie work it suits this film very well. The dogs used to portray "white dog" do a convincing job for the audience, showing it at its cuddly, cute best and its slobbering, rabid worst. Probably the most memorable moment in the film comes when we finally meet the dog's owner (Parley Baer), instead of a bigoted stereotype spewing racial slurs we are confronted with a quiet, grandfatherly type. With his rumpled fishing hat and grandchildren in tow he simply appears to be a gentle old man desperately looking for his lost dog, not a monster that trains the family pet to maul and kill people. Bigotry comes in many forms, some more recognizable than others.

Buying note: This film is only available as a full screen import VHS tape or DVD-R; there are several companies that have copies available on the internet. Film quality is only fair and please also note that some versions have non-removable foreign subtitles.

11-25-2005

Buying note update: This controversal and landmark film has been released as part of the Criterion Collection. Available for the first time ever in the U.S. this DVD includes digitally restored picture and sound, interviews, essays and other extra features that finally allow the director's original vision to be appreciated after nearly 30 years of neglect.

1-1-2009