Extremities (1986)

A woman takes revenge on the man who invades her home and tries to rape her.

Director:

Robert M. Young

Writers:

William Mastrosimone (screenplay), William Mastrosimone (play)

Stars:

Farrah Fawcett, James Russo, Alfre Woodard

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Farrah Fawcett	...	Marjorie
James Russo	...	Joe
Alfre Woodard	...	Patricia
Diana Scarwid	...	Terry
Sandy Martin	...	Officer Sudow
Eddie Velez	...	Officer #1
Tom Everett	...	Officer #2
Donna Lynn Leavy	...	Woman on Phone (voice)
Enid Kent	...	Mother at Police Station
Michael Hennessy	...	Pizza Man
Danika Hendrickson	...	Joe's Daughter
Clare Wren	...	Racquetball Player
James Avery	...	Security Guard

Storyline

An intended rape victim manages to escape from her attacker but leaves her purse behind. Worried that he may visit her house and finish what he has started, she contacts the police but they are unable to help, saying that she has no proof. "If he calls, let us know and we'll send a man round!" A fat load of good that would be. Her worst fears are realised when, alone one day in the house, her attacker visits and attempts again to rape her. Circumstances allow her not only to resist the attack but to turn the tables and lock him away. And that is where her dilemma really starts. Does she release him and risk another attack? Does she go to the police and risk being called a liar? Or does she kill him - and become as low as him?

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Plot Keywords:

rape | revenge | face slap | spit in the face | rape and revenge | 

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Taglines:

Alone and Vulnerable. The perfect victim...or so he thought.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Akrotites

Box Office

Gross:

$13,418,091 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atlantic Entertainment Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Russo (Joe) and Farrah Fawcett (Marjorie) played their respective roles in the off-Broadway production prior to the film.

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Goofs

When Marjorie (Farrah Fawcett) first puts Joe (James Russo) in the fireplace, his eyes are fresh from being sprayed with bug spray and are swollen shut so he can't see, but once in the fireplace he opens them wide open and looks directly at Marjorie as though he can see her clearly.

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Quotes

Terry: [Pat is taking Joe out of the fireplace and helping him into a chair] Pat, I'd be careful.
Joe: [grateful] God bless you.
Joe: [Pat applies a washcloth and water to Joe's eye] Oh, God... is it bad?
Joe: [Pat nods] Am I going to go blind?
Patricia: I don't know.
Joe: What?
Patricia: I don't know!
Joe: [begging and obviously frightened] Please take me to a hospital.

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Connections

References I Spit on Your Grave (1978)

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Soundtracks

"Stand Up to the Night"
Performed by Bonnie Raitt

User Reviews

Fiercely done movie.

This was some strong movie. Very powerful, very different. Yet strangely, I didn't warm to it as much as I should have. That does not diminish the movie's power. This just proved very difficult to watch.

I can certainly appreciate the theme of having one's dignity stolen and the need to take back one's power. The movie itself was wonderfully acted and directed. And obviously it was SUPPOSED to be hard to watch. I just wish I had warmed to it enough to give it a 10 like "The Accused". I think part of the problem was the limited focus of the camera,these 2 people starring almost by themselves, the story mainly going back and forth between Farra's Character and her rapist.After awhile it gets to you.

All in all this was an edgy film that's certainly thought provoking and worth watching. I doubt I'd see it again but the film as a whole is very well done.