''Outrage'' is a 1973 made-for-television film that aired on the American Broadcasting Company's (ABC) popular

Movie of the Week A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

franchise. The movie, which originally aired on November 28, 1973, tells the story of a suburban neighborhood and family that is repeatedly terrorized by a group of privileged young men from neighboring families. The film is set in an idealized rural suburban community. The film stars

Robert Culp Robert Martin Culp (August 16, 1930 – March 24, 2010) was an American actor widely known for his work in television. Culp earned an international reputation for his role as Kelly Robinson on ''I Spy'' (1965–1968), the espionage television se ...

Marlyn Mason Marlyn Mason (born August 7, 1940) is an American actress, producer, and screenwriter. Early years Mason was born in San Fernando, California, and she was named after a friend of a friend of her mother. Mason moved to Hollywood after she finis ...

and

Beah Richards Beulah Elizabeth Richardson (July 12, 1920 – September 14, 2000), known professionally as Beah Richards and Bea Richards, was an American actress of stage, screen, and television. She was also a poet, playwright, author and activist. Rich ...

, and featured

Nicholas Hammond Nicholas Hammond (born May 15, 1950) is an American-born Australian actor and writer who is best known for his roles as Friedrich von Trapp in the film ''The Sound of Music'' and as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the 1970s television series ''The Am ...

James Sikking James Barrie Sikking (born March 5, 1934) is a former American actor, most known for his role as Lt. Howard Hunter on the 1980s TV series ''Hill Street Blues''. Early years Sikking was born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934 to Andy and Sue (né ...

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, and

Mark Lenard Mark Lenard (born Leonard Rosenson, October 15, 1924 – November 22, 1996) was an American actor, primarily in television. His most famous role was as Sarek, father of Spock, in the science fiction ''Star Trek'' franchise, in both the origina ...

. The film was directed

Richard T. Heffron Richard T. Heffron (October 6, 1930 – August 27, 2007) was an American film director. He worked on many television series such as ''The Rockford Files'' and films including '' I Will Fight No More Forever'' (1975), ''Futureworld'' (1976), ...

, and written by writer William Wood. The film was originally titled ''One Angry Man''.

Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie channel, movie-oriented pay television, pay-TV television network, network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasti ...

lists the title of the film as "Outrage!" with the addition of the exclamation point. The movie would later inspire a 1998 TV film remake of the same name with

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and

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Plot summary

Jim Kiler, a suburbanite, finds himself and his family at the mercy of a group of young men from neighboring families who have singled out the Kilers after running roughshod over the greater community. While Kiler attempts at first to reason with the youths, their response is to step up the attacks on the family, which grow more emboldened and dangerous as the film continues. Kiler and his wife eventually feel that in addition to their personal safety, the youths are also trying to tempt their young daughter into situations that would harm her. Kiler tries to talk to the parents of the young men. However, the parents of the youths either refuse to believe that their sons are capable of their actions, or blame Kiler for aggravating the situation. The parents of the youths are also self-absorbed in their own issues and resent Kiler's suggestions that they are at fault for their sons inability to tell right from wrong. Local law enforcement officials are unable and/or unwilling to become involved. Kiler and his family find themselves surrounded by people refusing to take action, or in denial that Kiler's claims are as dire as he says. As the family finds itself reaching a point where a resolution has been found, the youths launch an attack on the family, which injures a member of the household. This action finally prompts the rational, logical Kiler to abandon his peaceful approach and take matters into his own hands as his outrage reaches the breaking point. The film leaves the viewer with some satisfaction that he is able to avenge his family's torment by attacking the youths. At the end of the film, it notes, as it did in real life, that no charges were pressed on Kiler, and there were no more issues with the youths.

Cast

as Jim Kiler *

as Muriel Kiler *

as Thelma *

Jacqueline Scott Jacqueline Sue Scott (June 25, 1931 – July 23, 2020) was an American actress who appeared on Broadway and in several films, but mostly guest starred in more than 100 television programs. Biography The daughter of John and Maxine Scott, she set ...

as Mrs. Chandler *

Ramon Bieri Ramon Arens Bieri (June 16, 1929 – May 27, 2001) was an American actor who starred in many films and TV shows. Television work Bieri starred as the title character in the NBC sitcom ''Joe's World'', from December 1979 to July 1980, playing J ...

as Deputy Tottif *

Tom Leopold Tom Leopold (born ) is an American comedy writer, performer, and novelist. He has written episodes of ''Seinfeld'' and ''Cheers'', along with several books. Leopold has often been associated with Chevy Chase, Harry Shearer, and Paul Shaffer d ...

as Vance Chandler (as Thomas Leopold) *

as Mr. Chandler *

Ivor Francis Ivor Francis (October 26, 1918 – October 22, 1986) was a Canadian-American character actor and acting teacher. He is the father of television soap opera actress Genie Francis. Life and career Francis was born in Toronto and began his acting c ...

as Judge William Vernon *

as Ron Werner * Paul Jenkins as Deputy *

Don Dubbins Donald Gene Dubbins (June 28, 1928 – August 17, 1991) was an American film, stage and television actor. Life and career Born in Brooklyn, New York. Dubbins began his career in 1953, appeariing in the television series '' The Doctor''. He also ...

as Mr. Werner

References

External links

* * * {{TCMDb title, id=472897 1973 television films 1973 films 1973 crime drama films 1970s crime thriller films ABC Movie of the Week American crime drama films American crime thriller films Films about families Films scored by Jimmie Haskell Films set in California American drama television films Films directed by Richard T. Heffron 1970s American films