Outrage!

This is an amazing film in many ways. It is a court case of universal significance, as it questions and challenges the entire system of justice. An ordinary law-abiding citizen (Robert Preston in his last film) buys a gun and uses it to premeditatedly kill the man who raped and murdered his daughter, who was brought to trial but released because of formal technicalities of the law. The father takes responsibility for his deliberate murder, but he still has to have a lawyer for the defence, and Beau Bridges becomes the lawyer, specially chosen for the case by the judge, who is Burgess Meredith. Another old veteran graces this film by his presence, and that is Mel Ferrer as the high court judge who had to release the rapist. Beau Bridges brings him on as a witness for the defence, and Mel Ferrer's demonstrative testimony proves the turning point of the case.

Seldom has a court case been so admirably acted and presented on film, it becomes more exciting than any thriller, as the whole audience and public gets involved and concerned parts of the case, and of course there is even the vulture parasite, the publisher who wants to make money on the outrage, played by the English show actor Anthony Newley, who made his debut as the Artful Dodger in David Lean's "Oliver Twist" 1948 30 years earlier. All the actors are brilliant and show their best, especially Beau Bridges, I have never seen him better, and Burgess Meredith as the acid judge, and of course Robert Preston in his final bow. It's a wonderful film and worth watching a number of times never to be forgotten.

I saw this movie in 86, and later noticed it was remade, starring Beau Bridges, in 97 "Defenders: Payback". Same premise carefully retold 11 years later, only with John Larroquette as the vigilante "I don't want no attorney" father, instead of the original with Robert Preston. Though the suspect chase would be used in the other "Defenders" TV movie "Choice Of Evils".

More or less, a decent Hollywood justice type of film If you take it for what it is in that context. The main idea is to show the viewers that not all homicide cases are black & white. Instead, this film attempts to show (or rather pose to) the viewer, how YOU might react if your child's rapist or molester had been released on a technicality, even though he confessed to the crime. Would YOU become a vigilante too?

For those who crave for this kind of stuff - I do not - that's a pretty good story, strongly held, and very daring against the penal system in the USA. In France, we would not be so courageous. And I agree with another comment, in which it is said that Robert Preston is maybe not the real lead of this movie. Beau Bridges brings maybe one of his best performances ever. But Bob Preston, in his last role, is very good too, and Mel Ferre too. And I also want to add something, in the scene at the beginning, where Bob Preston shoots and kills the Black man responsible for his daughter's death, watch out the way he holds his gun and his body with legs bent. For a common law abiding citizen; I think he looks like an elite cop, as we always see in crime movies or series. I also guess that the producers and other film maker should have paid attention to this kind of details. It is clumsy for the production not to ask Preston TO BE CLUMSY, sweet irony isn't it? It is clumsy to show a poor common American to behave like an elite cop, clumsy if you compare with the exceptional quality of the rest of this awesome piece of work. That's my own opinion.

Great movie! It really makes one think about how the Justice system really does work. Great story and performances by all, especially by Beau Bridges. See it!

This is a film that makes us realize there is sometimes a difference between justice and the law. Robert Preston shines as the grief-stricken father, who, after a miscarriage of justice, takes matters into his own hands, and is put on trial for it. Beau Bridges, as his attorney, realizes there's something to the fight Preson is making. Mel Ferrer, as the judge who had to let a criminal go, is outstanding. His conscience bothers him, but he abides by the law he's sworn to protect. And Burgess Meredith is a crusty as ever. Some great old pros in this one.If this film doesn't make you think, you need to watch it again.