A Case of Rape 1974

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.