A Case of Rape

Harrowing drama of a married woman (Elizabeth Montgomery) who is raped twice by the same man. She is treated like a piece of meat in the hospital (the scene where someone photographs her bruises is unbelievable) and, in court, they act like she deserved it.

I saw this on TV when I was 12 and have never forgotten it. Before this there was never any talk (on TV at least) about this subject. Also, back then, rape was considered an act of lust (!!!!). This haunted me for days after the initial showing. What really got to me was the uncompromising, realistic ending--TV, at that time, always had pat, happy endings. Not this one. Montgomery was absolutely superb in her role and the rapes were presented tastefully. This movie was a HUGE hit in its first two showings. I believe it was instrumental in changing the publics perception of how rape is a disgusting act of violence and how it can destroy a woman's life.

This isn't available in any form that I know of, and that's a shame. It's now 30 years old and deserves a release on DVD. If you can see it, do so. A definite must-see.

I must concur with the previous posters regarding this landmark NBC TV movie that changed the genre forever and initiated a new career and more sophisticated image for the late Elizabeth Montgomery. This television classic starred Montgomery (in a performance that should have won her an Emmy)as a housewife who gets raped twice by the same man. She does not report the 1st rape but she does report the second and the film shows the indignities this woman suffers from the courts and the insensitivity and mistrust she experiences from her husband (Ronny Cox) and her best friend (Patricia Smith). There is actually a horrific scene where Montgomery meets with best friend Smith, who actually wants details about what happened and implies that her friend might have enjoyed it. This movie pulls no punches, makes no compromises or apologies, and promises no happy endings. It was reported that when the script was first submitted to network executives, they wanted to cut the second rape. A long time friend of Ms. Montgomery stated that she responded by submitting a list of names of other actresses who might be interested in appearing in the film because she would quit if they changed the script. This is a mature, disturbing, adult movie that is so well-crafted, it could have merited theatrical release and I find it amazing that this movie is not available on video. An intelligent script, uncompromising direction by Boris Sagal, and solid supporting performances by Cox, Rosemary Murphy and Williams Daniels as the attorneys involved, and Cliff Potts as the unapologetic rapist, made this film an instant classic and it's truly criminal if this film is not available on video. All serious students and connoisseurs of great drama and superb acting should see this important and disturbing movie.

Elizabeth Montgomery's performance of a lifetime. This movie proves that 1970's "Movies of the Week" were far superior to anything made since. Liz plays a housewife raped twice by the same guy. She suffers every indignity you can think of, by the police, her supposed best friend and finally by her husband and the courts. This movies proves attorneys are scum and the why the jury system doesn't work. One really disturbing scene is where the police photographer acts like he's doing a photo session for Playboy Magazine. Another one is where her best friend actually insinuates that she kind of likes it when her husband comes home drunk and has his way with her against her will. Liz's husband in this movie is played by Ronny Cox who does an excellent job but we end up disliking him anyway. Even Liz's attorney doesn't give her much support. Excellent performances all the way around but still a sad commentary on the judicial system. Liz should have won an emmy for this and the next year as well for Lizzie Borden. Above average directing as well.

A few months before this film came out, a very similar film called Cry Rape was broadcast on C.B.S.. However, while that film has long since been forgotten, this film is still remembered as being one of the most groundbreaking films to ever grace the small screen. This is one of those films that come out that helped to make a difference. Before this film was released, few people knew how rape victims were really treated and the indignities that they suffered. This film showed that and more. Elizabeth Montgomery proved that she could do more than just play everyone's favorite witch Samantha Stephens. She took a chance with a very taboo subject and helped to make this one of the most acclaimed films of the early 1970's.

I must concur with the previous posters regarding this landmark NBC TV movie that changed the genre forever and initiated a new career and more sophisticated image for the late Elizabeth Montgomery. This television classic starred Montgomery (in a performance that should have won her an Emmy)as a housewife who gets raped twice by the same man. She does not report the 1st rape but she does report the second and the film shows the indignities this woman suffers from the courts and the insensitivity and mistrust she experiences from her husband (Ronny Cox) and her best friend (Patricia Smith). There is actually a horrific scene where Montgomery meets with best friend Smith, who actually wants details about what happened and implies that her friend might have enjoyed it. This movie pulls no punches, makes no compromises or apologies, and promises no happy endings. It was reported that when the script was first submitted to network executives, they wanted to cut the second rape. A long time friend of Ms. Montgomery stated that she responded by submitting a list of names of other actresses who might be interested in appearing in the film because she would quit if they changed the script. This is a mature, disturbing, adult movie that is so well-crafted, it could have merited theatrical release and I find it amazing that this movie is not available on video. An intelligent script, uncompromising direction by Boris Sagal, and solid supporting performances by Cox, Rosemary Murphy and Williams Daniels as the attorneys involved, and Cliff Potts as the unapologetic rapist, made this film an instant classic and it's truly criminal if this film is not available on video. All serious students and connoisseurs of great drama and superb acting should see this important and disturbing movie.