La rivolta delle donne di Stepford

This film essentially begins 10 years after its predecessor left off with all of the women living in Stepford completely docile and totally committed to their husband's interests above all else. So much so that, after the manager of a particular television show reads about the low crime and divorce rates in that town, he decides to send an investigative journalist named "Kaye Foster" (Sharon Gless) to check it out. Sure enough, she is amazed at how incredibly dull and domesticated the women appear to be. Fortunately, there is one particular young woman by the name of "Megan Brady" (Julie Kavner) who doesn't quite fit that mold and she is quickly hired by Kaye to help with her research. What neither of them realize, however, is that there are people within the town who are extremely concerned about having their devious secrets exposed and will do anything necessary to prevent that from happening. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this made-for-television sequel deviates somewhat from the original film concerning the manner in which the Stepford wives were subjugated against their will. If anything, I found it to be a bit more plausible to a certain--albeit quite limited--degree. Be that as it may, I didn't find this movie to be nearly as good as its predecessor due in large part because it lacked the same level of intensity and suspense. No doubt its made-for-television format had something to do with that, but in any case, I didn't quite capture my interest all that much and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

So here I am changing the channels on my expanded all digital channel line-up late one night, and I find the lovely Sharon Gless trying to escape being knifed by Julie "Marge Simpson" Kavner in total late 70's fashion, AND I LOVE IT! Just when it couldn't get any better, in walks Don Johnson and Audra "Mrs. Roper" Lindley (who deserved that Oscar nomination for "Desert Hearts" years back) and I am on the floor!! This movie has got to be the latest undiscovered "gem" in the last 25 years! Who cares how bad the story is. This is CLASSIC!!!

Revenge of the Stepford Wives (1980) is a movie I recently watched on YouTube. The storyline follows a magazine that wants to write an article on the amazing town of Stepford that has no crime and once people move there no one wants to leave. Shortly after the newspaper reporter arrives she quickly finds her life at risk as she gets to see how people behave in the unique town.

This movie is directed by Robert Fuest (The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and stars Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey), Don Johnson (Miami Vice), Julie Kavner (Click), Audra Lindley (The Relic), Mason Adams (Son in Law) and Arthur Hill (The Andromeda Strain).

The reporter angle was a good plot for a sequel. I will say this does have a lower budget feel and cinematography. You can tell this was a made for television movie. The men in this are more apparent on how they execute their plans and use the community for help than the previous picture since the cat is out of the bag. The costar, Meg, has a annoying voice that drove me crazy all movie. 😂 The Stepford women are well depicted and the kills and action are more fun than good.

Overall this is a huge step down from the original but is still a fun viewing. Don Johnson was entertaining in this role. I would score this a 5.5/10 and recommend seeing it once.

In REVENGE OF THE STEPFORD WIVES, it's been ten years since the events of the first film.

A resistant resident of the oddly idyllic suburb meets with an unfortunate fate.

Enter TV reporter, Kaye Foster (Sharon Gless), who's in town to investigate Stepford's unusually low rates of crime, divorce, etc.

Meanwhile, the secret, male cabal, led by the sinister Dale "Diz" Corbett (now played by Arthur Hill), uses their army of mindless fembots to keep a watchful eye on Kaye.

For her part, Kaye catches Stepford's crazy vibe right away, as she observes the creepy, somnambulistic wives going through their daily routines. Not surprisingly, the deeper Kaye digs into this bizarre mystery, the more danger she finds herself in, and anyone who attempts to help her doesn't fare very well.

While never approaching the sublime, satirical terror of the original film, REVENGE does have its moments, some of which are quite suspenseful. The wives are convincing, especially Barbara Parkinson, played brilliantly by Audra Lindley. Her "remote control" scene is a classic!

One of the better made-for-TV movies of the period. Watch for the magnificent grrrl power finale!

Co-stars Don Johnson as a police officer with a particularly rebellious wife...

Maybe if I had never seen the original or read the book, I might have been mildly amused, but I doubt it. The fact is the husbands were killing their wives and replacing them with robots. An idea scarier today than it may have been then because it seems more possible that it could happen in the near future. But this movie's premise that the wives are servants because once a day when a big horn sounds, they all drop everything and take a pill is pretty stupid. If I were Ira Levin, I would've sued.