The Young Savages (1961)

In the gritty heart of a racially charged neighborhood, three teenage boys find themselves entangled in the brutal stabbing of Roberto Escalante, a blind Puerto Rican youth. Assistant District Attorney Hank Bell finds himself in the center of this storm, assigned to prosecute a case that hits alarmingly close to home. Among the accused is Danny DiPace, a 15-year-old boy and son of Bell's old flame, Mary DiPace. Bell's past, steeped in the very neighborhood he now must scrutinize, begins to bleed into the investigation, guided by the stern hand of Lt. Gunderson. As Bell delves deeper into the murky waters of the case, he uncovers startling revelations. The seemingly innocent victim, Escalante, emerges as a potential instigator, wielding his own blade and leading a Puerto Rican gang frequently clashing with their Italian adversaries. This shocking twist forces Bell to grapple with the moral complexity of the situation even as he relentlessly pursues justice. Meanwhile, Bell's pursuit of first-degree murder charges, which could lead to the death penalty, puts him at odds with his wife. She sees the world through liberal-tinted glasses, disheartened by the prospect of children facing the harshest punishment of the law. Bell initially dismisses her concerns, but as he navigates the labyrinth of evidence, he begins to question the simplicity of his initial perspective. "The Young Savages" is a compelling exploration of crime, punishment, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. As Bell peels back the layers of this racially fueled tragedy, he finds that the truth is not as black and white as it seemed, and the pursuit of justice is fraught with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas.

The Young Savages is a crime movie featuring Telly Savalas.

The Young Savages is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex, Plex Player, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy The Young Savages on Vudu.