jcappy "Outrage" (1950) certainly does express the personal anger associated with rape, but does it address the increased personal agency that often accompanies it?Ann Walton (Mala Powers) is first subjected to stranger rape, and is then, in the person of her fiancé, pressured to succumb to an elopement which, in her distraught but furious state, she refuses. She then sets off on her own, but is soon met with more shades of her originals assault, as in leering, appraising men, and in one forced sexual encounter. Fortunately for her, she meets a man who is entirely outside of that degrading continuum.The Rev. Bruce Ferguson (Tod Andrews) is a guardian to an agricultural community that is reminiscent of the more idealistic co-operative in "The Grapes of Wrath." Though you might say he rescues a lost, emotionally battered Ann, he does more than just take her under his wing. Their subsequent interactions create a kind of equality, mutual trust, and affection rarely scene on screen. Even their youthful, expressive faces seem to match, as they reverberate with warmth, sincerity, and honor. But their evolving relationship is stopped short of love and desire.The interceding act is a brutish attempt on Ann at a ranch picnic. This creep sends an explicit message that the town is too narrow for Bruce, and too dangerous for Ann. But it also causes an investigation into Ann's past which in turn infringes directly on their present lives.Bruce then, by force of circumstance, becomes the mediator of Ann's return not only to her family but to an unwanted marriage. So, Ann's new new found sense of identity and bodily integrity is once again on the rocks. Bruce's felt responsibility to her family and to her ex-fiancé's marriage plans take precedence over both a committed friendship and, most importantly, her own advancing sense of personal agency.By having to return to her unloved fiancé, she must revert to a state of subjection, and this cannot be sugar-coated. She is now being instructed to want what she has already rejected. In a real way, Ann is being returned to the estranged state or void left in her by the violent rape. Her outrage which so enables her to reclaim her self must now be tamed for the sake a lifelong conventional arrangement which she had and has no part in.This is the movie's weakness. A stronger ending would have Ann and Bruce set out for a new life, not necessarily as lovers, or partners, but as strong allies in a contemptible world that wants to deprive and dispossess both of them of a broader, and more compelling life and friendship.

MartinHafer "Outrage" is a film way, way ahead of its time. To think...back in 1950 there was a movie that dealt with rape and its aftermath. It is an excellent film but it's also a film of its time--and in some ways it also gets the topic wrong. I am not blaming it--it's just that back in the day, there were a few misconceptions about the crime--though the film also is extremely sensitive and well worth seeing.Mala Powers plays Ann Walton, a young lady who is soon to be married. However, one night she is attacked and raped and she is left scared and traumatized. Her plight is so severe that she soon decides the best way to handle it is to run away and start an all new life. The trouble is, running away from her problems didn't solve them and soon she attacks a fresh guy and nearly kills him.First the good. Rape was never talked about or even alluded to back in 1950, so the film is very brave. Director Ida Lupino handled the rape scene wonderfully--making it menacing but not sensationalistic. Additionally, the film ended on a positive note--instilling a lot of hope.As for the bad, the film NEVER uses the word rape and the fact that it's a sexual assault is implied but only slightly. Again and again, they said that Ms. Walton was 'a victim of criminal assault'- -and so in that sense the film took a step forward but a smaller step than folks would like today. However, I doubt if the censors would have allowed this. I also thought that the film seemed to say that the man Walton bludgeoned (played by Jerry Paris) was a victim--whereas today he would be seen as being to blame because he refused to take no for an answer and NEEDED to be slapped upside the head with a wrench!! Additionally, the preacher had a speech about getting victims and offenders of all sorts therapy. While this is good for victims, time has shown us that psychotherapies are NOT effective with sex offenders in most cases. Still, they didn't realize this in the day and the film was very sincere in its efforts. Overall, the good clearly greatly outweighs the bad and the film is wonderfully made and a quality production throughout.

LeonLouisRicci The term "Rape" was unmentionable on the Screen in 1950. So here it is referred to as "Criminal Assault/Attack". If this seems silly and dated, just think of the 1980's when we had a President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who refused to utter the word "Aids" as thousands were suffering and dying. So maybe we haven't matured that much after all.Maverick Female Film Star/Director Ida Lupino determined to break barriers and push for Women's Rights decided to approach the Taboo and deliver a Story of a previously unseen on the Screen Fear facing Females everywhere. She handled it quite well, considering, although there are some missteps and considerations given here that make this a noble, but flawed effort. The first half is the most uncompromising, with its expressionistic use of the Camera and a terrifying cat and mouse chase that ends with the aforementioned "assault".But after that the situations begin to become clichéd and comfortable ways to allow the Victim to come to grips with her Anxiety. The Hollywood Code would interfere greatly and there is one scene that is completely condescending to a Male Stereotype and Cultural Mythology as she is pawed and mashed, defends herself, and is arrested because the brute is "a nice guy". This doesn't seem to be presented as Irony, as His harsh advances are never questioned, and the Film has to be faulted for that misstep.Overall though it is and Icon of the era and is noted for its breakthrough of at least tackling the subject matter, but it probably played it just a bit too safe to be considered more than a somewhat tepid try at breaking the Paradigm.

blanche-2 "Outrage" is about rape, though the word is never mentioned. Directed and cowritten by Ida Lupino, it concerns a young woman (Mala Powers) who is engaged to be married and is raped on her way home from work. Traumatized and filled with shame, she runs away from home. She ends up in a community where she is attended to by a minister. However, she doesn't tell him what happened to her. Problems arise.Though made 56 years ago, the elements of the film ring true, and of course, feelings don't change - the victim thinks she's dirty and behaves as if she is the criminal.Mala Powers gives a very good performance, exhibiting the shock, nervousness, and terror of the victim. Though the script meanders a bit, Lupino does an excellent job of directing, particularly the action scenes.In 1950, this film was probably ahead of its time. It's good to see to show us where we were (particularly with no DNA tests or rape kits) and where we are.