A Case of Rape
A Case of Rape | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama |
Written by | Louis Rudolph Robert E. Thompson[1] |
Directed by | Boris Sagal[2] |
Starring | Elizabeth Montgomery Ronny Cox William Daniels |
Theme music composer | Hal Mooney |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producer | David Levinson |
Producers | Louis Rudolph Steve Heilpern (associate producer) |
Production locations | Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California |
Cinematography | Terry K. Meade |
Editor | Richard Bracken |
Running time | 100 minutes[2] |
Production company | Universal Television |
Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | February 20, 1974 |
A Case of Rape is a 1974 American
Plot
Ellen Harrod appears to have a happy marriage to David, although his frequent work-related absences are beginning to take a toll on her. While taking night school classes with her neighbor and best friend, Marge Bracken, she is introduced to Larry Retzliff.
Ellen and Marge accept a ride home from Retzliff the same night while David is away. Once Ellen is in her apartment, Retzliff arrives claiming car trouble and asks to use the phone. When Ellen lets him in, he overpowers and rapes her. Unable to reach David by phone, and emotionally unable to report the crime, Ellen decides to put the attack behind her, and tries through three showers to literally wash away the rape.
When David returns, she is still unable to get his attention long enough to tell him about the attack. Having had an anonymous blood test, Ellen makes a serious effort to forget the attack and resume her life. This attempt comes to a crashing halt four days after the initial attack in a parking garage when Retzliff, who has been waiting for Ellen behind the front seat of her car, rapes her again, this time beating her viciously.
After reporting the attack, the treatment that Ellen receives from the police, doctors, and detectives is anything but sympathetic. While the District Attorney, Leonard Alexander, appears to have her best interests at heart, he clearly has his reservations.
Defending Retzliff is ruthless attorney Muriel Dyer who bullies and interrogates witnesses and Ellen herself on the stand in an attempt to get Retzliff off. Dyer's efforts succeed and Retzliff is found not guilty. Following the trial, attorney Alexander comments, "Never try a rape case unless your victim is a 90-year-old nun with at least four stab wounds." After this, Retzliff mockingly apologizes to Ellen, saying "no hard feelings", but Ellen calmly but coldly tells him, "If you ever come near me again, I'll kill you."
A voiceover narration at the end of the movie reveals that shortly after the trial, Retzliff attempts to rape someone else. While trying to escape from the police, he is shot and wounded, and ends up pleading guilty to the rape and sentenced to prison. Ellen and David's marriage is strained by the events of the film, and the narration reveals that Ellen later files for divorce.
Cast
- Elizabeth Montgomery as Ellen Harrod
- Ronny Cox as David Harrod
- William Daniels as Leonard Alexander
- Cliff Potts as Larry Retzliff
- Rosemary Murphy as Muriel Dyer
- Patricia Smith as Marge Bracken
- Ken Swofford as Det. Riley
- Jonathan Lippeas Det. Parker
- Sandy Kenyon as Mike Bracken
- Alex Henteloff as Alex
- Robert Karnes as Judge
- Mario Gallo as Photographer
- Antony Carbone as Officer Carbone
- Davis Roberts as Officer Kane
- Tom Selleck as Stan
Broadcast
The film was broadcast on February 20, 1974, over the
This was the second issue-oriented TV-movie of its time, following the 1973
Awards
Montgomery, who had become a household name during her eight-year tenure on
References
- ^ "A Case of Rape Credits". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-04-03.
- ^ a b c d Hal Erickson (2015). "A Case of Rape". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2015-12-19.
- ISBN 978-1-58979-749-9.
- ^ Wagner, Joyce (6 March 1974). NBC's 'Case of Rape' Leads Nielson (sic) Ratings, Kansas City Times
- ^ "Hit Movies on U.S. TV Since 1961". Variety. January 24, 1990. p. 160.