Une affaire de viol

Magnificent performances by the entire cast punctuate a true story more horrifying than any horror film. All the nuances of a married woman's indignities and insults suffered after being raped are underplayed for maximum effect. Montgomery gives the performance of a lifetime, and Cox is a revelation as the feckless husband. Harris and Daniels as the attorneys provide contrast with colourful performances, and Potts' chilling rapist is the catalyst for all. A must-see for every woman in America.

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.

Excellent Acting, exceptional, beautiful work, script! But why did it go so un-noticed? Anyhow Liz portrays Ellen Harrod. When Ellen got raped she thought it would be the worst thing. But it wasn't. It was the way she got treated by the hospital and citizens! As Liz said in a newspaper article "Doing the movie was an emotional experience and a education in some of the scenes which were frighteningly realistic, all women live in fear someday it could happen to them" I haven't much to say on this movie, but,

a real masterpiece!

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.

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.