Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Savage Harbor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 24, 2019

When there’s a sleazy, violent human trafficker taking over the streets of San Pedro, California, who are you gonna call to save the day? Well, Frank Stallone, of course! The actor/musician/famous brother returns to screens with 1987’s “Savage Harbor” (aka “Death Feud”), which pairs him with another notable last name, Christopher Mitchum, tasked with portraying a couple of sailors just looking for some time away from ships, soon getting caught up in the local area’s prostitution scene, challenging a crime boss for the safety of women everywhere. Writer/director Carl Monson (“Please Don’t Eat My Mother!”) isn’t big on production polish, simply trying to deliver a VHS-ready actioner with some skin, horrible human behavior, and close-ups of a snarling Stallone, who takes to the hero role with visible discomfort, perhaps fully aware of what kind of movie he’s making.

Two sailors taking a break from the daily grind of work, Joe (Frank Stallone) and Bill (Christopher Mitchum) are simply living for the drink, hoping to settle in and enjoy some relaxation. When Joe steps in to defend Anne (Karen Mayo-Chandler) from a sex pest, she repays his kindness with love, with the pair soon engaged in a major affair that leads to dreams of owning an avocado farm together. However, Anne’s dark past returns to collect her, with crime boss Harry (Anthony Caruso) reclaiming his top prostitute, soaking her with smack and hiding her away. When Joe returns from a gig, he can’t find his girlfriend, beginning a feverish search into the San Pedro underworld, hunting for clues and roughing up suspects, calling in Bill for extra muscle.

Harry’s wrath is established with a violent opener, with the thug going about his daily human trafficking business. He’s a vile man, spewing racism and homophobia, and his view of women is purely commercial, building an underground empire of prostitutes, housed in his special hotel. When Harry comes into contact with a minor revolt, Anne manages to slip away, sending her into the arms of Joe, a white knight who dreams of building a life with this mystery woman, leading them to, yes that’s right, an avocado-flush future. “Savage Harbor” plays like a cartoon, with Monson going big with everything on screen, with hopes to create some B-movie escapism as Joe panics about the kidnapping, commencing his own investigation into Anne’s whereabouts, which involves a little more than simple questioning.

“Savage Harbor” isn’t wall-to-wall mayhem, though it should be. Monson doesn’t do well with dramatic exchanges, often handing entire scenes to his actors so they can figure out motivation (this may explain why Harry declares he’s an Aristotle fan), giving the picture a semi-improvisational quality, watching Stallone mentally work out his lines as he enters charged situations. However, “Savage Harbor” makes some strange dramatic choices along the way, gifting Anne severe daddy issues that play out in a heroin-high setting, while Bill has his own distraction, trying to make a life with stripper Roxey (Lisa Loring). There’s some effort to form a plot, but most of the endeavor is devoted to Joe on the prowl, trying to intimidate witnesses, including Jenny (Greta Blackburn), a working girl who’s currently living in Anne’s old apartment. A few action set pieces are managed, including a stunt-heavy car chase, but the feature is primarily about Joe’s frustrations, trying to discover what really happened to his avocado farm buddy.

Savage Harbor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Vinegar Syndrome gives "Savage Harbor" a refreshing for its Blu-ray debut, with the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation securing the feature's bright locations and meaty close-ups. Detail is terrific throughout and reaches as far as the original cinematography permits, as a few bad shots are easily identified. Facial surfaces are textured, along with costuming, which ranges from thick pea coats to silky lingerie. Distances are precise and interiors are open for survey. Colors are exact, with wonderful blue skies and natural skintones. Bar lighting and signage also delivers lively hues. Delineation is ideal. Source runs into some speckling and mild scratches. Grain is fine and film-like.

Savage Harbor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a crisp understanding of the limited technical achievements found in "Savage Harbor." Dialogue exchanges are defined, preserving performances as actors work their way through hushed encounters and louder action beats. Synth-based scoring needs are met, backing the feature with a sharp electronic sound. Atmospherics come through as needed, handling a feel for coastal activity and bar and hotel interiors. Sound effects are satisfactory.

Savage Harbor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Do You Like Avocados?" (14:20, SD) is a scattered but refreshingly candid conversation with Frank Stallone, with the actor repeatedly referring to "Savage Harbor" as "so bad." Stallone discusses the San Pedro locations, including a local bar where real sailors wanted to drink and were refused access due to filming. Poster billing with "Stallone & Mitchum" is mocked, but the interviewee has kind words to share about his co- star, while addressing a few others in the cast. Production limitations are noted, including a persistent lack of dialogue, and Stallone provides an overview of Financial Core, a payment system that permits starving actors a chance to work on non-union projects like "Savage Harbor." Anecdotes about philanthropy and director Carl Monson are included, and Stallone shares a review of the picture from his brother, Sylvester.

• Audio Interview (27:53) details the career of cinematographer Jack Beckett.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Savage Harbor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's a substantial amount of unsavory behavior in "Savage Harbor," as Monson has little patience for anyone who isn't a heterosexual male. When the movie manages to get away from such ugliness, it's actually entertaining in a low-budget, no-not-THAT-Stallone kind of way, with some appealing locations to explore and a few surges of action that keep the actors on the move. And if you happen to love avocados, "Savage Harbor" shows a lot of respect for the fruit, placing it as a symbol of peace and domestic harmony, which is just the right amount of lunacy the endeavor needs to remains distracting.