Savage (1973 TV film)

Savage is a 1973 American made-for-television action thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Martin Landau as Paul Savage, a television news commentator embroiled in a political conspiracy.

The plot revolves around Savage, who uses his television program to expose government corruption. He becomes a target when he uncovers evidence implicating powerful figures in illegal activities. He is subsequently framed for murder and must go on the run to clear his name and expose the true perpetrators.

The film features a script by William Link and Richard Levinson, the creators of Columbo and Murder, She Wrote. It was originally broadcast as an episode of the anthology series The NBC Mystery Movie. Although it aired as part of the series, Savage was conceived and filmed as a standalone film.

The film is notable for being one of Spielberg's early directorial efforts and showcases his talent for suspenseful storytelling. While not as widely known as some of his later works, Savage is considered a significant work in Spielberg's television career.

The supporting cast includes Barbara Bain, Kathleen Ross, and Susan Howard.