The Accused (1988)

Director:

Jonathan Kaplan

Writer:

Tom Topor (written by)

Release Date:

14 October 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The first scream was for help. The second is for justice.

Plot:

A rape victim, enraged at the light sentence her attackers received on account that she was of "questionable character" goads a female prosecutor to charge the men who literally cheered the attack on.

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Rape | Rape Victim | Justice | Court

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Kelly McGillis	...	Kathryn Murphy
Jodie Foster	...	Sarah Tobias
Bernie Coulson	...	Ken Joyce
Leo Rossi	...	Cliff 'Scorpion' Albrect
Ann Hearn	...	Sally Fraser
Carmen Argenziano	...	D.A. Paul Rudolph
Steve Antin	...	Bob Joiner
Tom O'Brien	...	Larry
Peter Van Norden	...	Attorney Paulsen
Terry David Mulligan	...	Lieutenant Duncan
Woody Brown	...	Danny
Scott Paulin	...	Attorney Wainwright
Kim Kondrashoff	...	Kurt
Stephen E. Miller	...	Polito
Tom Heaton	...	Bartender Jesse

Also Known As:

Appel à la justice (Canada: French title)
Reckless Endangerment (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | USA:R (No. 28980) | South Korea:18 | Netherlands:12 | Ireland:18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Australia:R (DVD rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | West Germany:16 | Peru:18 | Canada:18A | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures Corporation (Canada)

Trivia:

Kristin Davis auditioned for the role of Sarah Tobias.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Kenneth Joyce is visiting his buddy in prison, the inmate is wearing a ring on his right hand. Of course, it got me thinking, can one actually wear a ring in prison? Someone involved in the film must have thought so also, as the ring disappears in the last two shots in the scene.

Quotes:

Kathryn Murphy: Listen again...”A person is guilty of criminal solicitation if he commands, induces, entreats or otherwise persuades another person to commit a felony-"
D.A. Paul Rudolph: You can read it to me until you're blue in the face, I am not gonna let you prosecute a bunch of spectators -
Kathryn Murphy: [cutting him off] They're not spectators. They solicited the rape.
D.A. Paul Rudolph: Do you really want to ask a jury to lock up a bunch of people for clapping and cheering?
Kathryn Murphy: Clapping? Cheering? Pushing? Goading? Getting the rape going and keeping it going!
D.A. Paul Rudolph: And what happens if you lose? You'll look like an incompetent. If you win, you'll look like a vengeful bitch. Either way, you'll hurt yourself and this office. Now, drop it. You've got more important things to do.
Kathryn Murphy: No I haven't.
D.A. Paul Rudolph: You haven't got more important things to do than go to trial with a sure loser? What the hell's gotten into you?
Kathryn Murphy: We owe her.
D.A. Paul Rudolph: Owe her what? We put the rapists away.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Family Guy: Stewie Loves Lois (#5.1)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Middle Of Nowhere

No Male Bashing Took Place in this movie

I was appalled by one reviewers comments on this movie, stating that a rape victim "got what she deserved". NO one, Woman or man, deserves to be raped, violated or harmed just because they were at the wrong place.

This movie is based on a true story, and the actors were very moving. People make mistakes, someone could be that upset and choose to behave in a manner not appropriate, yet when that Person chooses to stop and say NO, then No is it. No, Stop, Don't, these words do not mean, well, I ask for it. Anyone who thinks otherwise, I feel sorry for because they are sad, lonely and deprived of self worth.

Jodi Foster Is a great actress and puts all her strength in her roles. She is very talented and she and Kelly M. made this movie. Hopefully the person that had to endure this horrid act, is going on, with strength and success.