White Dog (1982) UK Quad Poster #New

Sam Fuller, never one to shy away from tough material, tells of a White Shepherd dog accidentally run over by Kristy McNichol - she takes it to be treated, only to discover it's been trained by a white racist to specifically attack black people. A black trainer tries to deprogramme the dog, but a series of accidents and hidden deaths end in further tragedy. Loosely based on Romain Gary's true incident novel, the studio wanted a 'Jaws with paws' and all blatant references to racism removed. But by 1981 the threat of a writer's and director's strike in Hollywood pushed the film into shooting with a less than approved script. Clint Eastwood's preferred cinematographer Brue Surtees and composer Ennio Morricone were brought on board, and the film was shot in 45 days under budget.

During and after shooting it came under fire from consultants brought in to approve the depictions of the black characters - one found the film not to have racist connotations, the other did. NAACP threatened boycotts (despite not having seen it) and Fuller later reported that Paramount feared negative reactions from the Ku Klux Klan. It was finally released in five Detroit cinemas for a single week, with no trailer, poster or any kind of promotion. It didn't even reach the UK until 1985. Fuller left for France and never made another film in America again.

Condition: FINE - small tear lower centre, below dog's snout

Cast: Kristy McNichol, Paul Winfield, Burl Ives, Jameson Parker, Parley Baer