Au-dessus de la loi

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.

The most stunning thing about "Outrage" is not so much the intriguing storyline, but rather the fact that it was produced by Irwin Allen, the "Master of Disaster" of '70s cinema, and also responsible for erstwhile sci-fi TV series of the '60s like "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and "Lost In Space." His productions are usually criticized for their lack of attention to the finer details like the script and dramatic performances. But here, he surprises his critics (and fans) with a taut, and timely subject that is more "Law and Order" than "Poseidon Adventure." No action sequences, no explosions or people running around in rubber monster suits. Just good acting with a provocative plot line.

My only complaint is that Robert Preston's character seemed a bit 'dated' by 1986 in the way he lived through his religion....I mean, I didn't know many New York Irish Catholics in the '80s that were THAT religious (particularly a man). I assume the director wanted his Catholicism 'played to the hilt" to emphasis Preston was above reproach to further the courtroom dramatics.

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.

Robert Preston portrays a grief-stricken dad who kills the man who raped and murdered his daughter. Beau Bridges is the lawyer who defends the man's actions in court. This film raises some deep issues about the justice system. It especially questions the notion that criminals seem to have more rights than victims and their families.

Admittedly, I haven't seen this film in years. And when I did, I totally missed (as there was no "cymbal crash or drum beat alert" when "Produced by Irwin Allen" appeared on the screen credits. (Irwin LOVED to have his name announced by musical instrument pause or noise).

After Irwin's prior 3 feature films all tanked (The Swarm, Beyond The Poseidon Adventure, When Time Ran Out...), Irwin just kinda faded from the scene...and began making TV shows again, a few "last gasp TV disaster movies", a VERY strange musical adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland"...and THEN came the "renamed for 1985 TV airing" "Earth's Final Fury" (this was the Original "When Time Ran Out..." RENAMED as it was so bad, they had to rename it with a few new scenes added/others edited in post, etc...to get it on TV. 5 years after it competed with "Raise the Titanic!" And "Inchon!" (Also with "!") for "worst films to see a theater between 1980 and 1981.

"Alice" (while very weird and with terrible songs) WAS "pure vintage Irwin Allen" (it had more stars in it than ALL his previous films combined and was very faithful to the story, plot-wise. (Even better than Disney). Too bad he made it a "musical". But it was rather successful nonetheless.

Then..while still kinda "just treading water" and seeking some sort of "comeback"...(As Irwin was not only an Oscar and Emmy Winner for work prior...but 2 of his films (Poseidon Adventure and Towering Inferno are the GREATEST disaster films of all time)...while his "bombs" have become cult classics now (wish Irwin would have lived long enough to see "The Swarm" become a BELOVED cult classic. But he didn't, sadly). For around the time this (strange for Irwin Allen...yet STILL "Irwin Allen-ish ENOUGH to recognize it as an Irwin Allen film"...as it has all of his "same road company players and crew" as he always had) film "OUTRAGE!" came along, his health was starting to fail.

However...to go out on a note like THIS...for Irwin Allen? Is quite admirable.

A taut, thought-provoking, well written COURTROOM drama? With some vigilante justice mixed in? This was strange area for Irwin Allen.

And as a fan of Irwin Allen to begin with...while I miss the "spectacle factor" that made him so famous...I also think Irwin MAY have been a better "mind for movie trends" than he gets credit for.

As it wasn't long after this little known/rarely seen B Movie (it is what it is) that nearly EVERY WEEK...there seemed to be a "new courtroom drama movie released". Between about 1987 and 2000. Hollywood churned em out like candy, they did.

But Irwin here, was a few years before the real trend hit. Kudos to him as Preston is excellent here. Meredith (as always) is as well...and even MEL FERRER (who, by this time in his career was "paying the bills in Italian Made slasher films of Grade Z fodder")...and it was good to see him actually ACT again.

Of course Irwin had a cast in this that was 15 years past their primes (he always did). But...he DIDN'T "direct". Thank God. (Irwin Allen...AMAZING Producer. AWFUL director)...and he left the "directing chops" to a workmanlike and capable director.

For Irwin Allen "completists", this is like "The Story of Mankind". Gotta have it. And while that one was a hokey nonsense film...THIS one is actually a straightforward and well written and well acted courtroom drama.

Both films kind of "stick out" like sore thumbs when you look at Irwin's Filmography. Yet BOTH are amazing curiosity pieces.

Irwin Allen was truly one of a kind.

He either (his whole career) "boomed or busted". There was no "in between" for him.

However THIS one...is his "in between".

It is a 'good film'. Not legendary. Never will be a "classic"...but an "in between" film that you can watch and enjoy and is well made.

Part of me wishes that Irwin could have lived another 10 years...to see "the disaster film revival" and made one of his OWN...during the mid 90s, and "go out on that one".

But he didn't. So in true Irwin Allen style...he ended on this one. (Something you truly didn't expect to see...from Irwin Allen).

Just like The Poseidon Adventure. Only on the opposite spectrum.

Hollywood said "zig"...and Irwin usually "zagged". That is what a showman does.

I recommend this one, and I understand my personal review here is "more about Irwin Allen" than it is about "Outrage!". Why? Because for HIM? This is so against his own grain, that you can tell Irwin was trying to "reinvent himself" as the man was a MAJOR player in 1960s and 1970s Hollywood. By the Mid-80s...he was simply "hanging on" and awaiting the moment that (sadly) he wouldn't live long enough to see...but DID come around. The REVIVAL of "The Disaster Movie".

For this era...while "treading water"...Irwin produced a nice little picture here to enjoy, while dreaming of a star studded (another "musical"...uggh!) Version of "Pinocchio" that never got made.

Not his schtick...but still Original.

Good film here, produced by a legendary movie maker.

Be it Dino DeLaurentiis or Irwin Allen...these 2 legends were certainly ORIGINAL.