A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant
A film by Bill Banowsky
w/ Pat Oliphant, Tom Udall, Adam Zyglis
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.
ONE OF DEADLINE’S TOP 10 OSCAR WORTHY DOCS OF 2025
“COMPELLING” “ESPECIALLY VITAL” “A SAVAGE ART REALLY SHINES” - The New York Times
“INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING” - The New York Sun
“ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL TIMES IN OUR COUNTRY’S HISTORY FOR A DOCUMENTARY LIKE ‘A SAVAGE ART’ TO BE RELEASED” - Salon
“A VERY STRONG FILM THAT’S APROPOS TO THE DAY” - NPR
w/ Pat Oliphant, Tom Udall, Adam Zyglis
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.
ONE OF DEADLINE’S TOP 10 OSCAR WORTHY DOCS OF 2025
“COMPELLING” “ESPECIALLY VITAL” “A SAVAGE ART REALLY SHINES” - The New York Times
“INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING” - The New York Sun
“ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL TIMES IN OUR COUNTRY’S HISTORY FOR A DOCUMENTARY LIKE ‘A SAVAGE ART’ TO BE RELEASED” - Salon
“A VERY STRONG FILM THAT’S APROPOS TO THE DAY” - NPR
