A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant

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A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant

Sep 2025

1h 27m

Documentary

Biography

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82%

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17 Reviews

98%

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50+ Ratings

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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Coleman Spilde

Salon.com

Sep 11

The process of political cartooning, absorbingly detailed in Banowsky’s film, is a multi-faceted procedure that requires the artist to be not only present but multiple steps ahead.

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Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

Sep 5

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.

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Bobby LePire

Film Threat

Dec 9

10/10

A Savage Art: The Life And Cartoons Of Pat Oliphant is a triumph on every level. T

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Stephanie Malone

Morbidly Beautiful

Dec 6

4/5

A Savage Art isn’t just a documentary about a cranky genius with a pen; it’s a eulogy for a world where savage cartoons could still make presidents sweat. This portrait of Pat Oliphant doubles as a potent warning shot.

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Shikhar Verma

High on Films

Dec 4

3/5

As a documentation of Oliphant’s life, "A Savage Art" works as it is able to convey the artist’s need to "steer up the beast." Although it fails to have a deeper, more intricate political context of its own.

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Jeffrey Lyles

Lyles' Movie Files

Nov 23

8.5/10

The timing of the documentary is ironic as free speech continues to be threatened or cancelled if it goes against the easily offended in power.

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Joel B

Sep 18

The film offers a brisk overview of the career of editorial cartoonist Pat Oliphant, an Aussie who became perhaps the premier cartoonist of his age in America. Its revealing, insightful, funny, and a worthwhile modern history lesson. Subtle enhancements include sound effects, music, and animation to augment the talking heads and archival clips of Pat at work.

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Aer S

@Tasty Dec 4

Pat Oliphant's genius and talent is a must see. You may think you might not know who he is, until you see his most important political cartoons again. If I had an Oscar vote, it would go to this film. It damn well better be nominated.

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Diamantis Z

Nov 30

A Savage Art, directed by Bill Banowsky, was an outstanding documentary. I got to watch the film and meet the director at the Michigan State Theater a few weeks ago. Most biopics feel too sprawled and lack direction... at least I think so. This, on the other hand, was beautifully crafted, containing all the important, personal elements from Pat’s life while still maintaining a strong structure. 5/5!!

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matt c

Nov 19

Wonderfully crafted, coherent and insightful… important exposure to a cultural voice that challenges the dominant narrative… the film describes an artist so firmly rooted in his own intuitive moral compass, refusing to fall foul of partisan posturing, and how as an artist Oliphant excavated to the very depths of this form of artistic expression. Highly recommended!

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Denny K

Nov 17

Fantastic film!! I absolutely loved it. The pairing of live action footage with Oliphant's political cartoons through split-screen imagery was incredibly engaging. The film was moving, comedic, and intellectually stimulating. I can't recommend it enough. It's an absolute gem. What a score, too. Sound design snaps, crackles, and pops, and you really get tremendous insight into Oliphant's life and career through incredibly engaging storytelling from director Bill Banowsky. I highly recommend!

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Garrison C

Nov 6

I’ve never seen a movie like this before. So many sequences where I was captivated by the art as the story behind it unfolded. What a fascinating and timely movie.

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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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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
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.7K
Runtime: 1h 27m

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