Review of White Dog (1982) by Art S — 26 May 2013

Samuel Fuller's film of a Romain Gary story was apparently suppressed for years, probably because the concept itself is so shocking (and not for any violence or otherwise taboo-breaking content). The white dog of the title is an attack dog raised to kill black people.

Kristy McNichol finds hits him with her car and nurses him back to health. Only later does she discover his nature and brings him to Burl Ives (yes Burl Ives), an animal trainer, to see if he can be reconditioned.

Paul Winfield takes on the job. Obviously the idea is so loathsome and confronting that the film doesn't become fun family entertainment. But Fuller handles it with his usual bluntness and Kristy learns that, yes, virulent racism does exist.

The film doesn't tackle the more subtle forms of racism and perhaps that is its main weakness. Apart from Kristy's acting, of course.