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A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant

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A Savage Art chronicles the life and career of Australian-born, Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Patrick Oliphant. Oliphant's tenure as an American cartoonist spanned five decades and ten U.S. Presidents. In 1990 The New York Times called Oliphant "the most influential editorial cartoonist now working." The film covers the history and importance of political cartoons in global democracies, as well as the decline in the profession and in the newspaper industry. It also highlights the effects of extreme political partisanship on media and editorial cartooning, and shows how Oliphant used his biting wit, sharp critical eye and masterful drawing skills to take on presidents, popes and the powers that be.
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Critics Reviews

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Alissa Wilkinson New York Times Oliphant is the vehicle for the story, but there’s a bigger point here: that American politics, in particular, are built on a rich heritage of protest, of challenging authority, and that cartooning has been a part of that from the start. Sep 5, 2025 Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue While it's a timely appreciation, this glossy documentary goes overboard in its effusive praise at the expense of deeper insight or perspective. Sep 5, 2025 Full Review Mark Dujsik Mark Reviews Movies [Director Bill] Banowsky doesn't seem interested in going into too much detail or depth. Rated: 2/4 Sep 5, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Real footage in 1 hour and 27 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Read all reviews
A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant

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Cast & Crew

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Bill Banowsky

Director

Pat Oliphant

Self

Tom Udall

Self

Grant Oliphant

Self

Dean Alioto

Writer

Bill Banowsky

Writer
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A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant

A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant: Trailer 1 A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant: Trailer 1 2:19 View more videos
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A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant

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Movie Info

Synopsis A Savage Art chronicles the life and career of Australian-born, Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Patrick Oliphant. Oliphant's tenure as an American cartoonist spanned five decades and ten U.S. Presidents. In 1990 The New York Times called Oliphant "the most influential editorial cartoonist now working." The film covers the history and importance of political cartoons in global democracies, as well as the decline in the profession and in the newspaper industry. It also highlights the effects of extreme political partisanship on media and editorial cartooning, and shows how Oliphant used his biting wit, sharp critical eye and masterful drawing skills to take on presidents, popes and the powers that be.
Director
Bill Banowsky
Producer
Paul O'Bryan
Screenwriter
Dean Alioto, Bill Banowsky, Paul O'Bryan
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Railyard Films
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 5, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 27m