The Savage State
1978, French. Directed by Francis Girod.
L'Etat Sauvage is based on the novel by Georges Conchon which won the highly esteemed Prix de Goncourt. The story chronicles the mindless racism of both the departing French colonial overlords and the emergent black Africans in a newly emerging African state. Laurence (Marie-Christine Barrault) suffers the outrage of her white acquaintances, including her former lover Gravenoir (Claude Brasseur) and her ex-husband Avit (Jacques Dutronc), for her affair with Patrice Doumbe (Doura Mane), an official in the new government. He in turn is ridiculed by his fellow cabinet ministers for stepping out with a white woman. The vilification escalates to such a point that Patrice is brutally murdered, and Laurence barely escapes the country alive, with the help of her ex-husband Avit.
- Runtime
- 1h 52m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- French
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch The Savage State
The Savage State isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 18 April 1978.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Francis GirodDirector
- Michel PiccoliOrlaville
- Marie-Christine BarraultLaurence Laurençon
- Claude BrasseurGravenoire
- Jacques DutroncAvit
- Doura ManéPatrice Doumbe
- BaaronModimbo
- Umban Gomez de KsetKotoko
- Jean-Baptiste TiéméléGohanda
- Rüdiger VoglerTristan
- Peter BachelierRenard
- Philippe BrizardPaul
- Pierre WalkerSwiss Minister
Details
- Released
- 18 April 1978
- Original title
- L'État sauvage
- Country
- France
- Written by
- Georges Conchon, Francis Girod
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked The Savage State
Limbo
1999 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Remember
2015 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Caveman's Valentine
2001 · 5.9/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Good Doctor
2011 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
SAS: Red Notice
2021 · 5.8/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
Hunting Season
2025 · 7.4/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Triage
2009 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding
2003 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The 355
2022 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Out of Control
2025 · 5.8/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Savage State: quick answers
Is The Savage State worth watching?
The Savage State doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Savage State?
The Savage State runs 112 minutes (1h 52m).
Does The Savage State have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Savage State. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Savage State parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Savage State yet.
Which OTT platform is The Savage State on?
The Savage State isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 18 April 1978. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Savage State?
If you liked The Savage State, try Limbo, Remember, The Caveman's Valentine.
Who directed The Savage State?
The Savage State (1978) was directed by Francis Girod and stars Michel Piccoli, Marie-Christine Barrault, Claude Brasseur.