A Case of Rape
Year: 1974
Runtime: 100 mins
Language: English
Director: Boris Sagal
Ellen initially believes the assault is the worst event of her life, but she soon discovers that the indifference and hostility of hospital staff, unhelpful police officers, and a biased court make her ordeal even more torturous, even though the perpetrator is eventually apprehended.
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A Case of Rape (1974) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Read the complete plot breakdown of A Case of Rape (1974), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Ellen Harrod [Elizabeth Montgomery] appears to have a happy marriage to David Harrod [Ronny Cox], though his frequent work-related absences are beginning to wear on her. While taking night school classes with her neighbor and best friend Marge Bracken [Patricia Smith], she is introduced to Larry Retzliff [Cliff Potts].
That same night, Ellen and Marge accept a ride home from Retzliff, while David is away. Once Ellen is inside her apartment, Retzliff arrives claiming car trouble and asks to use the phone. He overpowers and rapes her. Unable to reach David by phone and emotionally unable to report the crime, Ellen tries to forget by taking three showers to literally wash away the assault.
When David returns, she is still unable to tell him about what happened. Having had an anonymous blood test, Ellen makes a serious effort to move on and resume her life. Four days after the initial attack, in a parking garage, Retzliff, who has been waiting for Ellen behind the front seat of her car, rapes her again, this time beating her viciously.
After reporting the attack, the treatment that Ellen receives from the police, doctors, and detectives is anything but sympathetic. The District Attorney Leonard Alexander [William Daniels] appears to have her best interests at heart, but his reservations are clear.
Defending Retzliff is the ruthless attorney Muriel Dyer [Rosemary Murphy] who bullies and interrogates witnesses and Ellen herself on the stand in an attempt to get Retzliff off. Dyer’s efforts succeed and Retzliff is found not guilty. After the trial, Alexander comments, “Never try a rape case unless your victim is a 90-year-old nun with at least four stab wounds.” Retzliff mockingly apologizes to Ellen, saying “no hard feelings,” but Ellen calmly but coldly tells him, “If you ever come near me again, I’ll kill you.”
A voiceover narration at the end reveals that shortly after the trial, Retzliff attempts to rape someone else. While trying to escape from the police, he is shot and wounded, ends up pleading guilty to the rape and is sentenced to time in prison. Ellen and David’s marriage is strained by the events of the film, and the narration reveals that Ellen later files for divorce.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:01
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about institutional betrayal and survivor ordeals like A Case of Rape
Stories where the search for justice becomes a second, grueling trauma.This collection features movies like A Case of Rape, focusing on stories where survivors face a second wave of trauma from the very systems meant to help them. If you were captivated by the harrowing journey through a biased legal process, these films explore similar themes of victim blaming, institutional failure, and the heavy emotional toll of seeking justice.
Seeking Justice
2012
...and justice for all.
1979
Damaged
2024
Jail
2010
Screwed
2011
In Hell
2003
The Survivor
1981
Defenseless
1991
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story
1993
A Case of Rape
1974
Ultimate Betrayal
1994
Unbowed
2024
Family of Strangers
1993
She Fought Alone
1995
After the Hunt
2025
Narrative Summary
These narratives typically follow a linear, cause-and-effect structure beginning with a traumatic event. The core conflict then shifts from the initial perpetrator to a protracted battle against impersonal and often biased institutions. The protagonist's journey is one of increasing alienation and powerlessness, as their fight for justice exposes systemic indifference and inflicts further psychological damage.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped by their shared focus on the trauma of systemic failure. They deliver a similarly heavy, oppressive viewing experience by methodically detailing a survivor's ordeal, creating a coherent vibe of righteous anger mixed with profound sadness at institutional inadequacy.
Movies with a steady burn descent into ruin like A Case of Rape
A methodical unfolding of trauma that dismantles a life piece by piece.If you appreciated the methodical, steady pacing of A Case of Rape as it charted the complete collapse of its protagonist's life, this thread gathers similar films. These stories use a deliberate, straightforward narrative to show how trauma systematically destroys a person's world, resulting in a profoundly sad and heavy viewing experience.
Super Dark Times
2017
Lost and Delirious
2001
In the Name of My Daughter
2015
Aftermath
2017
Thirst Street
2017
She's Lost Control
2015
Sharp Corner
2025
The Banished
2025
Faithless
2000
James Dean
2001
Scene of the Crime
1986
Desperate for Love
1989
In This Our Life
1942
Weighed But Found Wanting
1974
Stardust
1973
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern is a linear descent. A pivotal, traumatic event sets a chain reaction in motion, and the story patiently examines each subsequent failure—the breakdown of a marriage, loss of support, and erosion of self. The pacing is deliberate, avoiding sensationalism to instead build an overwhelming sense of inevitability and hopelessness.
Why These Movies?
They share a specific combination of steady pacing, dark tone, and heavy emotional weight that creates a uniquely oppressive and harrowing vibe. The experience is defined by a methodical observation of a life coming apart, rather than by plot-driven thrills.
Unlock the Full Story of A Case of Rape
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A Case of Rape Timeline
Track the full timeline of A Case of Rape with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Characters, Settings & Themes in A Case of Rape
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Case of Rape. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
