Outrage
Tags: revenge

Plot synopsis:
Three disparate travelers, a disillusioned preacher (William Shatner), an unsuccessful prospector (Howard Da Silva), and a larcenous, cynical con man (Edward G. Robinson), meet at a decrepit railroad station in the 1870s Southwest. The prospector and the preacher were witnesses at the memorable rape and murder trial of the notorious bandit Juan Carrasco (Paul Newman). The bandit duped an aristocratic Southerner, Colonel Wakefield (Laurence Harvey), into believing he knew the location of a lost Aztec treasure. The greedy "gentleman" allowed himself to be tied up while Carasco assaulted his wife Nina (Claire Bloom). These events lead to the stabbing of the husband and Carrasco was tried, convicted, and condemned for the crimes.
Everyone's account on the witness stand differed dramatically. Carrasco claimed that Wakefield was tied up with ropes while Nina was assaulted, after which he killed the colonel in a duel. The newlywed wife contends that she was the one who killed her husband because he accused her of leading on Carrasco and causing the rape. The dead man "testifies" through a third witness, an old Indian shaman (Paul Fix), who said that neither of those accounts was true. He insisted that the colonel used a jeweled dagger to commit suicide after the incident.
It turns out that there was a fourth witness, the prospector, one with a completely new view of what actually took place. But can his version be trusted?

Review: Watching Robert Culp display barely contained anger is mesmerizing.
"Columbo", or, as in the case of this ABC "movie of the week", a decent man pushed to the breaking point by rich sociopaths, it's always thrilling to watch his patience being tested.
And, of course, that unmistakable edge in his tone- a clear warning that if he's pushed...one...inch...further...Yes, Robert Culp was a perfect choice for the role of Dr. Jim Kiler, a man who finds that the police and court system are ineffective in protecting his family from harassment by a group of privileged young thugs.
As this movie is allegedly based on a true story, one cannot help but wonder if the incidents really did cease after he took his revenge- and if there were really no legal reprisals in response to his vigilantism?
But beyond questions of it's accuracy, this is quite an engrossing movie with a memorable performance from it's star, and there's something immensely satisfying in watching the good doctor pay his tormentors a late night visit..
The worst & most upsetting part of the film was when the punk teenagers killed the family dog.
But boy!, does the lead character take vengeance on those punk teenagers in the end.
A very good actor..I might add.I watched this on TV when I was like 8 or 9.
It's the sort of movie one may catch on a weekday night very late at night and can't stop watching or an afternoon film on a weekend.
This is a great movie from the lost age of reactionary made-for-television drama.
My all-time favourite actor, Robert Culp skillfully plots a trajectory through uptight liberal fairmindedness and faith in the system, kneejerk conservativism and fear of crime, and homicidal psychosis.
The teens are a collection of pure sneering evil stereotypes, and the eventual message of this film makes episodes of Dragnet look evenhanded by comparison.
But what really shines in this is the great pace of the movie, building the fear and paranoia by degrees, as well as the feel of the whole California setting.
Robert Culp (they call his character "doctor"...I think he's a vet or something) and family move to an affluent, low-tax, zero-law-enforcement suburb.
Lantern-jawed Culp and his dog are nearly killed when some local idiot neighbor kids get drunk and "go cruising" through his front yard at 60mph.
He presses charges, which arouses the kids' ire, and suddenly him and his family are the victims of a violent and disturbing prank campaign.Marilyn Manson, er, Marlyn Mason rather, plays his fretful, boiled-celery wife, who urges him not to use violence against his sneering nemeses, and who really just wants to move somewhere with decent public services.
But The System is getting Culp nowhere, and he's not about to leave his house because of some punk kids and their crazy rock and roll music.
And we all know what movie people do when The System fails...(but this is based on a true story, which makes it even better).It should be noted that while the villainous hooligans do have convenient '70s funk-o-matic "teenage" theme music that warns us when they're up to no good, this film actually ends up treating the age brackets even-handedly (really!).
Kudos for that.Anyway, if you like dogs (or at least believe in protecting their civil rights, like me), and you like justice, and you like fire, and you like justice for dogs by way of fire, and you think people who skitter nervously out of troubled communities are "too damn soft," then this flick's ethos is up your alley.
Remember that scene in A Christmas Story where the kid pounds the bully's face in?
Yeah, mon.Unfortunately, this was a 1973 made-for-TV movie that I just happened to catch at 4am on my local WB affiliate, and it's probably not destined for DVD release.
Looking for VHS copies of Robert Culps' "Outrage" television movie.
It's a great movie and I had hoped someone made have taped it and would sell me a copy.The story must have been a television show only but was one of the greatest examples of the rage that can be instilled in a person when several outside forces are against his way of life and no one of authority will help.
I first ran across this title in the remake version, with Rob Lowe and Jennifer Gray in the roles of put-upon working class couple terrorized ruthlessly by spoiled rich punks.Yes, it was a TV movie, and yes, many of the plot devices were over-the-top and borderline ridiculous...BUT...it was effective.
Easy to say pull out your AK, blow 'em away...another thing to do it.My problem with that version was Rob Lowe, who I like as an actor but whom I believe was completely miscast.
No, you need an actor who looks like he's going to blow at any minute.
Granite-jawed Robert Culp?
My big problem with Outrage '73 was the denouement, which I felt (though creative) didn't match up to the evil that preceded it (less the bit with the hose and living room window --- very neat!).The '98 version was just as much about Lowe's character's problem with anger.
Perhaps the "real life" incident was more like the '73 version, but the '98 film plays out more satisfyingly.
Teen punks run amok...and Culp's gonna stop 'em..
I haven't seen the newer version, so I cannot compare the two.When the story begins, a group of punk teens are running amok in a nice California neighborhood--pouring loads of garbage into a lady's pool, nearly running over pedestrians, dogs and horses and acting like they are above the law.
When one of the folks being menaced by them tries to be constructive and work to have speed bumps and more policing, Jim Kiler (Robert Culp) is attacked by the thugs and they nearly kill him.
But Kiler STILL tries very hard to work within the system through much of the movie.
Find the film on YouTube and find out for yourself what's next in this family's nightmarish lives.While the plot might sound quite a bit like "Death Wish", this film came out a year earlier...plus it was set in the suburbs.
Additionally, Kiler did NOT react like Bronson did in "Death Wish"-- he didn't go out at night shooting the boys...though considering how awful they were, you certainly wouldn't have blamed his character!
Culp did a very nice job in the film and it's not just some revenge picture.
Very good movie!.
Outrage is pretty good movie!
Robert Culp was very good in the movie and was perfect for the part!
Anyway if you ever see this movie on TV watch it because its a good one!.
Robert Culp is one of my favorite actors, whether he's a hard-ass (i.e., the Texas Ranger in Trackdown), the suave hero (I Spy) or the smart-ass sidekick (Greatest American Hero).
That was evident in his classic guest appearances on Columbo, and it's also used to great effect in Outrage.Based on a true story, Dr. Jim Kiler (Culp) moves into a fancy-schmantzy cul de sac with his family.
Almost immediately, the good doctor is nearly run down while jogging with his dog by a gang of reckless teens.
The teens immediately begin a campaign of retaliation against Kiler and his family.
Eventually, he takes his complaints to the town's mayor, which angers the parents of the punk kids, and not long afterward, Kiler does indeed press charges against the kids, one of whom gets a slap on the wrist due to Kiler speaking on his behalf.
Eventually, these punks lure the Kilers' lovable sheepdog Oliver into the street with a treat...then brutally run the defenseless animal down!The moment that finally pushes Kiler to the brink comes after they hire a black housekeeper, a no-nonsense woman played by the great Beah Richards.
Now Culp is finally pushed to the limit...and it's HIS turn to break windows, flood houses with a hose and end the whole thing with a huge explosion of a hot-rod car.
As he's walking away from the explosion back to his home, a disclaimer tells us that no charges were filed against him, nor were there any more incidents of violence.Culp, as always, delivers a great performance, but he gets a great deal of help from a great supporting cast.
Frequent guest star Marlyn Mason shines as Culp's more level-headed wife, who tries to talk some sense into one of the boy's fathers, only to have the lout get in her face (this leads into a memorable scene where Culp punches the guy out.
There are also a number of familiar faces in small roles, such as Ivor Francis, Don Dubbins, Ramon Bieri, Philip Pine and Nicholas Hammond.Outrage is definitely a classic in the 'vengeance film' genre.
I most certainly do recommend seeing this movie..
Did you get a good look at the car?
As long as nobody saw you do it back in the day, it seems like you could get away with anything, Maybe even murder.The stuff the boys were doing, they wouldn't be able to get away with at all nowadays especially with technology & the way things are.The stuff they were doing & getting away with you wouldn't believe.When they went to trial, the only kid that got punished was the kid whose family didn't really have any $$$.The kids with $$$ got their charges dismissed, of course.The best & my favorite part of the movie had to be the final scene when Jim Kiler......
I won't even spoil it for you, you'll just have to see it for yourself but trust me it was good.Even better than that, Jim Kiler saved the best for last.They picked the perfect title for this movie.How can you NOT be outraged by Outrage?
Robert Culp displays the growing frustration with bad neighbors and ineffectual law enforcement.
Outrage (1973) *** (out of 4) This made-for-TV gem features Robert Culp playing Jim Kiler, a man who grows tired of the teenage punks wrecking his small town.
The trial date is three months ago so the rich teenagers decide to harass Kiler and his family in countless ways, which finally pushes the man over the edge.OUTRAGE came a year before DEATH WISH so the entire vigilante sub-genre hadn't been beaten to death yet.
A movie like this is meant to entertain you for 74 minutes and there's no question that this one does that and there's also no doubt that you're blood is going to be boiling throughout the picture.
This was based on a true story but as we all know things are often blown out of proportion or made to look worse than what really happened.
I really hope that's true here because it's hard to believe that what we see here actually happened in the way it did because these teenagers and the town had to be without a question some of the dumbest in history.With such a short running time there's no time for any character development so the reasons behind the teenagers doing this is never explained.
I mean, most teens cause a little trouble here and there but what we see in this film is crazy as there's attempted murder, arson, violence towards animals and countless other scenes where they break the law.
The Kiler character is someone you can certainly root for and there's no doubt that he's put up against some great villains.Culp is certainly entertaining in his role and although he does go over-the-top at times, this here just adds to the entertainment.
Marlyn Mason is good as his wife and Beah Richards is great in her small role.
The actors playing the punks in the film are all good and help sell their characters.
OUTRAGE features a rather wild and over-the-top ending that's not 100% satisfying but there's no question that the movie does its job in keeping you entertained throughout..
Robert Culp was incredible in this show and so were the cars that the teenage punks drove!
10 out of 10!!Taught us all some good life lessons back in the day.A great show if you have children to help show them what respect is all about..
Well done movie, Robert Culp very convincing.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies...
Robert Culp plays an average American citizen who is forced into seeking his own justice when local law enforcement is unable to help him fight a group of wealthy- family hotrod punks in the neighborhood he just moved into.
Robert Culp exhausts every resource at his disposal before resorting to personal vengeance, and at that point in time he 'pulls out all the stops'.
You will be cheering him at the end of the movie, and want to see it again.
I have been watching this movie for years, and I never get tired of it.
Robert Culp is the perfect actor for this role; very convincing..
True incident becomes 'relevant' ABC TV-movie wherein a suburban doctor and his family are vandalized and terrorized by the teenage punks living just across the street.
"Outrage" runs just 74 minutes, yet it takes 73 minutes to make its point: when the chips are down, revenge is the best weapon.
When the doctor (adequately played by Robert Culp) tries complaining to the police and the neighborhood committee after his home is pelted with paint, he gets no place.
But when his maid is seriously injured, Culp goes after his neighbor's property...and we're told that put an immediate end to the violence in this community.
Also, I don't see how wrecking a delinquent's car can bring adequate satisfaction to a man whose dog was intentionally run over, nor do I see how destroying the neighbor's yard can equate a flying brick through a window, nearly taking a human life.
I remember this movie.
Robert Culp.
OUTRAGE is one of those long-forgotten American TV movies of the 1970 that turns out to be as tight and compelling as it ever was, and perhaps more so than it was on first release.
It's a story of ordinary man Robert Culp, pushed to the limit by a neighbourhood gang of car-racing delinquents who proceed to make his and his family's life a misery after he crosses them at the film's opening.What follows is a tit-for-tat portrayal of increasing violence as Culp finds himself going down the dead ends of the justice system and eventually takes the law into his own hands.
Shades of the vigilante classic DEATH WISH, of course, although inevitably this story is less violent although still just as powerful.
It's also more realistic, and Culp gives a better performance than Charles Bronson; this and his various villainous turns in COLUMBO remind us of what a very fine actor he was..
Robert Culp was a good actor back then,and got better over the years in "I Spy".
You could feel his anger build up every time the "Punks" did something to him,and his family.
I actually still have the car magazine that featured the yellow 1956 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon used in the movie.Not as famous as the "American Graffiti" 32 coupe,or the "The Calafornia Kid"34 Ford coupe,but was still a cool ride.
That's when I got as upset as Mr. Culp did,because it upset his kids.
I have forgotten how the movie ended.It should be a good lesson on "Karma".Hope it gets released on DVD someday..
One believes this might be down to two simple things 1 ) The funky soundtrack 2 ) The fact that a vigilante taking the law in to their own hands dishing out rough but deserved justice has become cinematic cliché since DEATH WISH .
In 1973 this would have been a relatively fresh plot Supposedly this is based on a true incident but one wonders how much truth there is in this TV movie ?
It's not helped much in the story construction either running a mere 71 minutes.
I'm just trying to think of a single scene that doesn't feature a confrontation between Kiler and the punks.One also can't help thinking there's a large amount of embellishment involved .
Did the true life incident really end with Dr Kiler going round to someone's house , smashing their windows and blowing up their car ?
Did the Kilers' dog really get killed etc ?
The Vietnam war was coming to an end and with the it the harshly unfair and unjust Draft system that often didn't extend to the sons of well to do professional parents so the working class American audience will hate the punks in question .
But this isn't enough to make OUTRAGE more than just another TVM whose themes would be better explored in cinematic movies.
I remember this movie; only saw it the one time..
The thing that most impressed me about this movie (I was a lug-nut then and I'm a lug-nut, still.) were the hopped up cars the neighborhood kids were driving.
I nearly cried when the yellow '57 Nomad was torched at the end of the movie.
I had much the same reaction at the end of American Graffiti when the '55 rolled and burned near the end of that movie.Cars like these are getting extremely rare, and because of the rarity, they are getting extremely costly.
If you expect anything really great from this long-running anthology of cheapo TV Movies, you're going to be disappointed most of the time.On the other hand, there's 1973's Outrage, the story of some folks being terrorized by a band of suspiciously old-looking high schoolers in a gated community.
You've seen the story before, you'll see it again.Ya, know, outrage, right?Yet, the pacing of the 71 minute mini-flick is so tight that I found myself becoming absorbed against my will (that sounded so Borg, huh?).
Even the daffy ending and the graphic that says that the hero dad wasn't charged with anything other than wearing high-water- johnny slacks couldn't take away the fact that I actually enjoyed Outrage.Who'da thunk?