Savannah Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An Oxford-educated Southern gentleman rejects plantation life to aggressively hunt ducks, argue eloquently in court about it, and maintain an unexpectedly deep friendship with his freed slave companion, all while dealing with a society that just doesn’t get his waterfowl obsession.

🍿 Savannah: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ward Allen’s Rejection of Privilege

Set in early 20th-century Savannah, Georgia, the film introduces Ward Allen (Jim Caviezel), an Oxford-educated Southerner who deliberately turns away from his family’s affluent plantation heritage. Instead, Ward chooses a life of freedom connected to the river, establishing himself as a market hunter.

An Unlikely Friendship and Legal Battles

Ward’s constant companion in his unconventional life is Christmas Moultrie (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a freed slave and his loyal childhood friend. Their deep bond transcends the social and racial norms of the era. Ward, known for his Shakespearean eloquence and mastery with a shotgun, frequently finds himself at odds with the law due to evolving hunting regulations. His courtroom appearances, however, often highlight his charismatic personality and persuasive rhetoric.

Romance and the Challenges of Modernity

Ward’s captivating charm also draws the attention of Lucy Stubbs (Jaimie Alexander), a prominent society woman who marries him despite her father’s objections. Their relationship adds another layer to Ward’s complex life, though his independent spirit and love for the outdoors remain central. The film subtly explores the encroaching industrialization and changing societal norms that begin to challenge Ward’s traditional way of life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ward Allen (Jim Caviezel): The Oxford-educated Southerner who rejects his wealthy heritage to live freely as a market hunter on the Savannah River.
• Christmas Moultrie (Chiwetel Ejiofor): A loyal freed slave and Ward Allen’s constant companion, who later recounts their legendary friendship.
• Lucy Stubbs (Jaimie Alexander): A society woman who defies her father’s expectations to marry the free-spirited and unconventional Ward Allen.
• Mr. Stubbs (Sam Shepard): Lucy’s disapproving father who initially opposes her marriage to the unconventional Ward Allen.
• Judge Harden (Hal Holbrook): A respected judge who often presides over Ward Allen’s court cases, frequently charmed by his eloquence and character.
• Jack Cay (Bradley Whitford): The lawyer who listens to Christmas Moultrie’s stories and eventually chronicles the life of Ward Allen.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ward Allen: “A gun rack has guns in it!” – Said with exasperation upon discovering his guns had been sold for bail money.
• Lucy Stubbs: “And a home has a husband in it.” – Her sharp retort to Ward Allen, emphasizing that his place should be at home with her rather than constantly hunting.
• Ward Allen: “The river belongs to us and we to it.” – Expressing his profound connection to the Savannah River and his chosen way of life, highlighting his desire for freedom.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: $37,240
• Worldwide Gross: $37,240

💥 Savannah Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Savannah’ isn’t your typical fast-paced movie, but I really enjoyed settling into its rhythm. What grabbed me most was the incredible friendship between Ward and Christmas. Jim Caviezel as Ward Allen was such a revelation—I’m used to him being more serious, but here he’s just so charming and witty, especially in those courtroom scenes arguing about ducks! And Chiwetel Ejiofor, as always, brought so much depth to Christmas; their bond felt so authentic and special for the era. The cinematography of the marshlands is absolutely stunning, making me want to visit Savannah. It’s a quiet film, but it truly made me feel like I was there, experiencing a unique piece of history and an unforgettable bond. Definitely worth a watch if you appreciate character-driven stories and beautiful settings.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas set in the American South.”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about unique friendships across social and racial divides.”
  • “Those who appreciate beautiful cinematography and natural landscapes (especially marshlands).”
  • “Audiences looking for character-driven narratives with a slower, more reflective pace.”
  • “People who enjoy films based on true stories and biographical elements.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild thematic elements of loss and societal change.”
  • “Depiction of hunting (animal death is implied rather than graphically shown).”
  • “Contains a significant plot point involving suicide, particularly in the ending, which may be sensitive for some viewers.”
  • “Scenes featuring alcohol consumption in bars.”

Professional Reviews

• Film Weekly: “Savannah offers a visually rich journey into early 20th-century Georgia, anchored by Jim Caviezel’s surprisingly lively performance as Ward Allen and a compelling bond with Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Christmas Moultrie. While the narrative occasionally meanders, the film paints a vibrant, if sometimes sprawling, portrait of an unconventional life and an unlikely friendship against a stunning Lowcountry backdrop. It’s a slow burn, but offers genuine heart.
• Daily Screen: “Savannah attempts to capture the sprawling, eccentric life of Ward Allen, a character clearly larger-than-life. Caviezel delivers a memorable performance, especially in his eloquent courtroom antics. However, the script struggles to balance the various facets of Allen’s life—his friendships, legal battles, and romance—resulting in a somewhat fragmented experience. Despite its flaws, the film’s unique premise and strong acting make it a curious watch.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected and touching friendship between Ward and Christmas.: Viewers consistently praised the genuine portrayal of the friendship between Ward Allen and Christmas Moultrie, finding it deeply moving and ahead of its time. The beautiful cinematography of the Savannah Lowcountry was also a frequent highlight.

Jim Caviezel’s charismatic and humorous portrayal of Ward Allen.: Many found Jim Caviezel’s performance surprisingly engaging and entertaining, especially his eloquent and often humorous courtroom scenes. The film’s leisurely pace and historical atmosphere were appreciated by those looking for a different kind of drama.

Overall Consensus: Savannah is a beautifully shot historical drama, admired for its strong lead performances, particularly the central friendship, though some found its narrative structure a bit uneven.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film portrays Ward Allen’s death in 1922 when he would have been 66, but the real Ward Allen actually died in 1931 at the age of 75, making the film’s timeline and the actor’s age (Jim Caviezel was 44 during filming) significantly divergent from historical facts.”
• “A scene where Ward and Christmas discuss ‘Imperial’ is a subtle nod to Imperial Sugar, which is the modern corporate name for Dixie Crystal, whose sugar refinery was historically built on Savannah’s marsh front in 1916.”
• “Despite featuring an ensemble cast including Jim Caviezel, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Sam Shepard, the film significantly underperformed at the box office, grossing only $37,240 worldwide against an estimated $5,000,000 budget.”

🖥️ How to Watch Savannah?

Currently, specific streaming availabilities for ‘Savannah’ (2014) are not widely publicized on major subscription platforms. It is recommended to check popular rental and purchase platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube for options to buy or rent the film. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary over time and should be confirmed directly on those platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Savannah, you might like these similar films:

• The Green Book (2018): A powerful drama centered on an unlikely interracial friendship during a road trip through the 1960s American South, exploring themes of race, dignity, and evolving societal norms, much like Ward and Christmas’s friendship in a different era.
• Legends of the Fall (1994): Explores the lives of three brothers and their strong connection to the untamed wilderness in early 20th-century America, focusing on themes of freedom, familial bonds, and a life lived outside conventional society, resonating with Ward Allen’s independent spirit.
• Into the Wild (2007): A compelling true story of a young man who abandons a conventional life for an adventurous journey into the wilderness, mirroring Ward Allen’s rejection of societal expectations for a life closer to nature and freedom.
• Lawless (2012): Set in Prohibition-era rural Virginia, it follows three brothers who make a living moonshining, depicting men living outside the law and their struggle against authority, capturing the rugged spirit and societal clashes of early 20th-century America.
• Where the Crawdads Sing (2022): A modern Southern gothic tale about a young woman who raises herself in the North Carolina marshlands, showcasing a deep connection to nature, resilience, and living outside conventional society, with beautiful natural scenery.

🛒 Savannah Related Products

• Ward Allen: Savannah River Market Hunter by John Eugene Cay Jr.: The original non-fiction book that inspired the film, delving deeper into the true story of Ward Allen and his life as a market hunter on the Savannah River.
• Savannah Marshland Serenity Art Print: A high-quality art print depicting the iconic marshlands and river scenery of the Savannah Lowcountry, similar to those featured prominently in the film.
• Handcrafted Vintage Wooden Duck Call: A beautifully crafted wooden duck call, styled after those used by market hunters in the early 20th century, perfect for display or light use.
• 12 Years a Slave (Blu-ray/Digital): Critically acclaimed historical drama starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, showcasing his powerful performance in a different but equally poignant historical context.

🎧 Soundtrack

Savannah features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Wade In The Water” – performed by Jodi Hecate
• “Oh! Susanna” – performed by Stephen Foster
• “Wayfaring Stranger” – performed by Traditional

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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