A Case of Rape

A Case of Rape

Year: 1974

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Boris Sagal

Drama

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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Timeline – A Case of Rape (1974)

Trace every key event in A Case of Rape (1974) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Happy marriage tempered by his absences

Ellen Harrod appears to have a happy marriage to David, though his frequent work absences are beginning to take a toll. The couple seems close, but the strain of his schedule quietly weighs on their relationship.

2

Ride with Retzliff and ensuing assault

That same night, Ellen and her neighbor Marge accept a ride home from Larry Retzliff. Once Ellen is inside her apartment, Retzliff claims car trouble and overpowers her, raping her. The assault shatters her sense of safety and she feels unable to tell anyone right away.

same night Ellen's apartment
3

Reaction and futile cleansing

Unable to contact David, Ellen decides to put the attack behind her and tries to wash it away with three showers. She attempts to resume her life and hide the trauma from friends and family. The act of cleansing becomes a symbolic attempt to erase what happened.

soon after the assault Ellen's apartment
4

David returns, silence prevails

David returns, but Ellen cannot gather the courage to tell him about the attack. The couple’s communication remains strained, and Ellen struggles to cope in silence as she tries to move forward.

within the same week Ellen's home
5

Second rape in a parking garage

Four days after the initial attack, Retzliff waits behind the front seat of Ellen's car in a parking garage and rapes her again, beating her in the process. The brutality deepens her trauma and fear. Ellen resolves to seek justice despite the fear.

four days after the first attack Parking garage
6

Reporting the crime and the plea for seriousness

Ellen reports the assault to the authorities, but the response from police and detectives is unsympathetic and clinical. The District Attorney Leonard Alexander seems to have her best interests at heart, yet he clearly harbors reservations about pursuing the case. The atmosphere is cool and procedural.

after the second attack Police precinct
7

Muriel Dyer takes the defense

Muriel Dyer, a ruthless attorney, takes Retzliff's defense, bullies witnesses and relentlessly cross-examines Ellen in the courtroom. Her tactics push the boundaries of admissibility as she aims for an acquittal.

during the trial Courthouse
8

Verdict and reaction

Retzliff is found not guilty, shocking Ellen and others who believed in her testimony. After the verdict, DA Alexander comments on the difficulties of prosecuting rape cases.

after the verdict Courthouse
9

Apology and a hardened warning

After the verdict, Retzliff offers a belated, half-hearted apology. He says 'no hard feelings,' but Ellen answers with a cold warning: 'If you ever come near me again, I'll kill you.' The moment marks a hard boundary and a vow to protect herself.

immediately after verdict Courthouse steps
10

Pursuits outside the courtroom

A closing voiceover reveals that shortly after the trial Retzliff attempts to rape someone else. In the ensuing confrontation with police, he is shot and wounded and ultimately pleads guilty to the rape, receiving prison time.

shortly after the trial
11

Marital strain and divorce

The events take a toll on Ellen and David's marriage, leaving them emotionally distant. The narration reveals that Ellen files for divorce, seeking independence from the turmoil.

following the trial Their home
12

Closing narration and lasting impact

A final voiceover notes the ongoing impact on Ellen's life and the pursuit of justice. The film closes with a sense of unresolved caution and resilience.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:01

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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.

harrowingsomberinfuriatingresignedanxiousoppressiveisolating

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.

oppressiveharrowingsombermethodicalunravelingresignedheavy

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.

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A Case of Rape Summary

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A Case of Rape Summary

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.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Case of Rape

A Case of Rape Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Case of Rape Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Case of Rape

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