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Ordeal

  • TV Movie
  • 1973
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
246
YOUR RATING
Ordeal (1973)
Drama

Left to die in the desert by his wife and her lover, a businessman fights to survive and get his revenge.Left to die in the desert by his wife and her lover, a businessman fights to survive and get his revenge.Left to die in the desert by his wife and her lover, a businessman fights to survive and get his revenge.

  • Director
    • Lee H. Katzin
  • Writers
    • Francis M. Cockrell
    • Leon Tokatyan
  • Stars
    • Arthur Hill
    • Diana Muldaur
    • James Stacy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    246
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lee H. Katzin
    • Writers
      • Francis M. Cockrell
      • Leon Tokatyan
    • Stars
      • Arthur Hill
      • Diana Muldaur
      • James Stacy
    • 13User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos18

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    Top cast8

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    Arthur Hill
    Arthur Hill
    • Richard Damian
    Diana Muldaur
    Diana Muldaur
    • Kay Damian
    James Stacy
    James Stacy
    • Andy Folsom
    Macdonald Carey
    Macdonald Carey
    • Eliot Frost
    Michael Ansara
    Michael Ansara
    • Sheriff Peter Geeson
    Arch Whiting
    Arch Whiting
    • Fred
    Bill Catching
    Bill Catching
    • Joe Duncan
    Len Felber
    • Ralph
    • Director
      • Lee H. Katzin
    • Writers
      • Francis M. Cockrell
      • Leon Tokatyan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    6.3246
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    Featured reviews

    5craigrizzi

    Good but see the original entitled "Inferno"with Robert Ryan,for a better movie experience

    A fairly good remake of the 1953 original starring Robert Ryan and Rhonda Fleming.Arthur Hill is OK but,in my opinion,his characterization of the betrayed husband pales in comparison to the intensity given the role by the wonderful(and vastly underrated)character actor,Robert Ryan.My only other criticism is the relatively weak acting by James Stacy.His character is too indifferent in this movie and by comparison,William Lundigan's portrayal is significantly better.The desolate desert locations are striking in their sparsity.I'not sure where this movie was filmed but the locale closely resembles the Antelope Valley region of Kern Co. in California.In summation,this movie is pretty well done but try to view the original(Inferno),made in 1953, for a real treat.
    8MarieGabrielle

    You can survive,,,,you can make it....

    This noteworthy film stars Arthur Hill as a worthy and initially shallow businessman. His wife, well-portrayed by the memorable Diana Muldaur, schemes to rid herself of him, and her lover conspires with her, (As portrayed by James Stacy, as her slick opportunist lover).

    Hill finds himself abandoned in the scorching, unforgiving desert, and at first is tempted to give up. There is a suspenseful soundtrack and he gradually learns to fight back, despite a broken leg, dehydration, and no rescue in sight.

    Muldaur meanwhile enjoys the spoils of what she thinks is his eventual demise. She and her lover celebrate the fact that his tracks have been covered by rain, he is most likely dead. There are some nice shots of her 1970's style mansion, kaleidoscopic colors from that era, and set decoration.

    They visit the desert to ensure that Hill has died, there is a suspenseful twist at the end, and you will truly enjoy this film. There was an earlier film starring Robert Ryan and Rhonda Fleming (circa 1950's) which I believe was a similar theme. Recommended. 8/10.
    7merklekranz

    You find out a lot about yourself, when you're lost in the desert ....

    You find out a lot about yourself, when you're lost in the desert. I'm sure Arthur Hill's survivalist techniques in "Ordeal" are open to challenge, but that is not the point of this excellent TV movie. It's all about a life changing experience, that transforms a pompous ass of a husband, into a person who realizes that perhaps he should share the blame for his attempted murder. Arthur Hill is the husband, and Diana Muldaur the wife who leaves him to die. James Stacy is along for the ride as Muldaur's accomplice and lover. The desert photography is outstanding, and dozens of animal species show up on screen. The entire film is character driven, however all of the main characters are unpleasant. ...... - MERK
    8lturlish

    An effective re-make of an original 50s 3-D movie.

    This made for TV drama is a re-make of a 1953 film called "Inferno", directed by Roy Ward Baker which featured Rhonda Fleming and Robert Ryan. "Inferno" was shot in 3-D. "Ordeal" is an effective re-casting of the original, but Arthur Hill cannot match the grim intensity that Robert Ryan brought to the role of the stranded husband. Diana Muldaur, while lacking Rhonda Fleming's glamor, is actually more convincing in her role as the faithless wife. On the whole, I slightly prefer the original, but the TV version is certainly worth your time. Oddly enough, the male actors who play the lovers of the women in both films are equally bland and ineffective.
    7grubstaker58

    A Fine Film

    "Ordeal" is a quality television film from 1973 with a very good cast and great production values. The story of a somewhat shallow rich man who literally wanders the desert and in the process discovers his deeper self. The bright ,arrid Arizona desert is used to great effect and I was really impressed by the film's stately score. Seemingly all the main characters in the movie are unlikeable ,but Arthur Hill lets us see the subtle transformation from a man on a mission of hateful revenge(against a fed-up wife and the shifty trail guide who left him to die with a broken leg in the merciless desert)to a man who, in overcoming incredible obstacles(almost too incredible), he finds his place-connection in this stark natural world and an inner peace.The scene where he finds a water hole is beautifully done.This film is certainly a worth a look.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This movie was the last appearance that James Stacy made before losing his left arm and left leg in a 1973 motorcycle accident involving a drunk driver.
    • Goofs
      When Kay and Andy are at the pool, and the camera changes back and forth from one to the other, our view of Kay keeps changing from applying suntan lotion to just lying there.
    • Alternate versions
      A good remake of the 1953 theatrical film "Inferno," starring Robert Ryan and Rhonda Fleming.
    • Connections
      Remake of Inferno (1953)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 30, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Feuerprobe
    • Filming locations
      • Red Rock Canyon State Park - Highway 14, Cantil, California, USA
    • Production company
      • 20th Century Fox Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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