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Save the Tiger

Play trailer Poster for Save the Tiger R,  1973,  1h 40m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 88% 32 Reviews Tomatometer 74% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Clothing manufacturer Harry Stoner (Jack Lemmon) mourns the loss of his youthful idealism even as he seals his fate by arranging to have an arsonist (Thayer David) torch his faltering factory for the insurance settlement. Stoner's conflicts with himself, his business partner (Jack Gilford), his distant wife (Patricia Smith) and a demanding client (Norman Burton) boil over during a nightmarish presentation at a fashion show, while a free-spirited hippie girl (Laurie Heineman) offers escape.
Save the Tiger

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jack Lemmon's outstanding performance helps Save the Tiger grab early '70s American anxiety firmly by the tail.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Sep 29, 2023
[Save the Tiger] asks us to accept Harry's own justification for what he does -- that American materialism has turned him into what he is. And this is a moral hustle that must have enchanted the movie executives who financed this picture. Go to Full Review
Kathleen Carroll New York Daily News Jun 11, 2021
3/4
Avildsen has a particular talent for recreating lifelike situations. Here, his camera works like a magnet, picking up each squalid detail. Go to Full Review
Elston Brooks Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Jun 11, 2021
The only thing that saves "Save the Tiger" is Lemmon's highly believable dramatic performance. Go to Full Review
Frank J. Avella The Contending Oct 21, 2025
B-
(Lemmon's is a ferocious turn, and he’s especially extraordinary in a late scene where Harry has spent the night with a hippie hitchhiker, played superbly by Laurie Heineman... Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Sep 9, 2025
3/4
A decent drama about one man’s realization that his American dream has slowly turned into an existential nightmare. Go to Full Review
Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Aug 26, 2025
3.5/5
You can feel livers pickling, brains boiling and ulcers bubbling in this finger-in-the-dam drama that is a statelier, but no less existentially strenuous, precursor to "Uncut Gems." While the third act falters, it remains an effective character study. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ron L Jul 27, 2018 Interesting, smart themes. Well-written. Jack Lemmon is incredible--vulnerable and daring! Overall, though, it's not very likable.
Luke L Mar 9, 2018 Love actting; DaTed, too negati. Movie stopped wit an end.
Draco S Oct 22, 2017 Jack Lemmon won his second Oscar for his moving performance as a patriotic war veteran betraying his long-held morality in a desperate bid to hold off an ineludible bankruptcy in this critique on the fallen of the American dream. See more
Theodore S Jul 2, 2017 Sleazy Jack Lemon dress maker and Jack Gilford.
Draco G May 11, 2017 Save the Tiger is a compelling film. It is about a disillusioned aging decent man and once proud WWII veteran who is dealing with midlife crisis as well as a tough moral dilemma. Jack Lemmon and Jack Gilford give excellent performances. The script is well written. John G. Avildsen did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. Save the Tiger is a must see. See more
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Save the Tiger

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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John G. Avildsen

Director

Jack Lemmon

Harry Stoner

Jack Gilford

Phil Greene

Laurie Heineman

Myra

Norman Burton

Fred Mirrell

Patricia Smith

Janet Stoner

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Save the Tiger

Save the Tiger (1973) Save the Tiger (1973) Save the Tiger (1973) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Clothing manufacturer Harry Stoner (Jack Lemmon) mourns the loss of his youthful idealism even as he seals his fate by arranging to have an arsonist (Thayer David) torch his faltering factory for the insurance settlement. Stoner's conflicts with himself, his business partner (Jack Gilford), his distant wife (Patricia Smith) and a demanding client (Norman Burton) boil over during a nightmarish presentation at a fashion show, while a free-spirited hippie girl (Laurie Heineman) offers escape.
Director
John G. Avildsen
Producer
Steve Shagan, Martin Ransohoff
Screenwriter
Steve Shagan
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Filmways Pictures, Jalem Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 14, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 40m
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