You’ve probably seen the poster somewhere—five dusty, grim-looking guys standing against a harsh landscape, looking like they’d shoot you just for asking the time. It’s a classic image from the 1970 film Five Savage Men, though you might also know it by its alternative titles like The Animals or Los Animales. It’s a quintessential example of the "Zapata Western" or late-era Spaghetti Western, where the heroes aren't exactly heroic and the villains are borderline demonic.
Honestly, finding accurate info on this specific cast can be a headache because the movie floated around international markets under so many names. People often confuse it with other "Five" movies of the era—there were plenty of them—but the actual cast of Five Savage Men features a fascinating mix of Hollywood veterans and European character actors who brought a very specific kind of nihilistic energy to the screen.
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The Heavy Hitters: Henry Silva and Keenan Wynn
The face you recognize immediately is Henry Silva. He plays Pervish. Silva was basically the king of the "menacing gaze" during this era. He had this incredible, sharp-featured face that looked like it was carved out of granite, and he used it to perfection here. If you've seen The Manchurian Candidate or later classics like Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, you know Silva doesn't need much dialogue to be terrifying. In Five Savage Men, he provides the steely, unstable center that holds the group together.
Then there’s Keenan Wynn, playing the role of Pappy. Wynn was Hollywood royalty, the son of Ed Wynn, but he carved out a niche playing grizzled, often cantankerous older men. By 1970, he had been in everything from Dr. Strangelove to Point Blank. In this film, he adds a layer of weary legitimacy. He’s the guy who looks like he’s seen too much sand and too much blood. His presence elevates the movie from a standard B-movie to something that feels a bit more grounded in the harsh reality of the frontier.
The Rest of the Savage Crew
The chemistry of a movie like this depends on the diversity of the "savage" group. You can't just have five identical tough guys.
Ted Markland plays Chato. Markland was a staple of Western television, famously appearing in The High Chaparral. He had a very distinct, rugged look that fit the "half-breed" or "outcast" archetype that was so popular in 70s Westerns. He brings a physical intensity to the role that balances Silva’s more quiet, simmering menace.
Rounding out the primary group are actors like John Anderson and Joe Alfasa. Anderson was one of those "that guy" actors—you know the face even if you don't know the name. He appeared in over 500 roles throughout his career, including Psycho and The Twilight Zone. In Five Savage Men, he plays Silverton with a kind of calculating sharpness.
Why This Specific Cast Worked
It’s all about the grit.
Unlike the polished Westerns of the 1950s where everyone had clean shirts and perfect teeth, the cast of Five Savage Men looked genuinely miserable. Director Al Adamson, who was known for working on tight budgets and filming in rugged conditions, leaned into the natural wear and tear of his actors.
There's a specific scene—basically a heist gone wrong—where the camera lingers on the faces of the five men. You can see the sweat. You can see the actual dirt in the pores of their skin. This wasn't just makeup; it was the result of filming in the actual heat of the desert. The casting of older, more weathered actors like Wynn and Anderson was a deliberate choice. It made the violence feel more consequential. When these guys get hurt, you feel it.
The Role of Michele Carey
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning Michele Carey, who plays Alice McAndrew. In many Westerns of this type, the female lead is just a plot point or a damsel. While the movie definitely follows some dated tropes, Carey brings a surprising amount of steel to the role. She was coming off El Dorado with John Wayne, and she possessed this ethereal, striking beauty that contrasted sharply with the "savage" men surrounding her. Her character is the catalyst for the entire revenge plot, and Carey plays the trauma and subsequent hardness of the character with more nuance than the script probably deserved.
Production Context and the Al Adamson Factor
To understand why these actors were in this movie, you have to look at the director, Al Adamson. Adamson was a titan of exploitation cinema. He knew how to get a "name" actor for a few days of work to put them on the poster, then fill the rest of the runtime with action and scenery.
However, Five Savage Men (or The Animals) is often cited by critics as one of Adamson's better efforts. Why? Because the cast actually showed up to play. Even though it was a low-budget production, Silva and Wynn didn't phone it in. They treated it like a legitimate character study of broken men.
The film was shot largely in Arizona, utilizing the "Wonderland of Rocks" in the Chiricahua National Monument. The landscape is a character in itself, dwarfing the actors and making their "savagery" look small and insignificant against the backdrop of the ancient stone.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
Because of the title Five Savage Men, people frequently confuse this film with:
- The Five Man Army (1969) starring Peter Graves.
- Five Giants from Texas (1965).
- Five Guns West (1955).
If you’re looking for the 1970 film specifically, make sure you're looking for the Henry Silva/Keenan Wynn credits. If you see Peter Graves or Bud Spencer, you’ve got the wrong "Five."
Impact on the Genre
By 1970, the Western was changing. The "Summer of Love" was over, the Vietnam War was weighing heavily on the American psyche, and movies were getting darker. The cast of Five Savage Men reflected this shift. They weren't fighting for "the law" or "the homestead." They were fighting for survival and, occasionally, for a very twisted sense of honor.
This movie helped bridge the gap between the operatic style of Sergio Leone and the "grindhouse" Westerns that would dominate the mid-70s. It’s ugly, it’s violent, and it’s unapologetic.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you decide to track this down—and it’s currently available on several cult cinema streaming platforms and boutique Blu-ray labels—pay close attention to the interaction between Henry Silva and Michele Carey. There’s a psychological tension there that goes beyond the typical "outlaw captures woman" dynamic. It’s uncomfortable, sure, but it’s played with a level of intensity that stands out in the genre.
Also, look for the cameos. Adamson often recycled actors from his other films, so eagle-eyed fans of 70s trash cinema will spot familiar faces in the background of the saloon scenes and the various skirmishes.
Actionable Insights for Cinephiles
If you’re diving into the world of 70s cult Westerns, here’s how to get the most out of the experience:
- Verify the Title: When searching for this film on streaming services, search for both Five Savage Men and The Animals. Depending on the licensing, it might be listed under either.
- Check the Version: Look for the restored versions. Older VHS rips are often muddy and cut out the wider shots that showcase the Arizona landscape.
- Explore the Filmography: If you liked Henry Silva here, check out The Hills Run Red (1966). It’s another Spaghetti Western where he plays a villain, and it’s arguably one of the best in the genre.
- Contextualize the Violence: Remember that this film was released at the height of the "Revisionist Western" era. Compare it to Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch to see how different directors handled the theme of aging outlaws.
- Support Physical Media: Boutique labels like Severin or Arrow Video often release these films with interviews from the surviving crew. These are goldmines for learning about the chaotic production schedules of the 70s.