Rage

Some of you have NO idea what's it's like to see a movie produced without some B/S "love" or sex scene shoved in our faces along the way. The recent film "Pearl Harbor", while blessed with excellent special effects, turned out to be a real "puker" because of that garbage - half the film was about some stupid 3-way "love affair" between two guys and a gal separated by the beginning of WWII. THIS film, however, was just the opposite - it's a wonderful movie, even for one that dates back to the very early '70's, I believe. George C. Scott as the lead actor and film's producer was superb, as is the vast majority of his films usually are. While certainly not in the same genre' as "Patton", nevertheless, it's excels because of it's simplicity - in fact, what strikes me about this film, as opposed to 99% of the garbage that Hollywood puts out, is the fact that had this film's scenario occurred for real back in those days, it likely would've turned out very much like the movie - art imitating real life! That is the key to this film's attraction: It's a relatively simple story about a rancher, his young son, along with a civilian and military bureaucracy that has it's own agenda and is willing to lie to anyone to cover up it's mistakes, no matter how those lies might hurt anyone in the process. Can you spell "Bengazi"? In my humble opinion, this is a dated but superb film that most folks will like a lot and watch often!

Yes, it was the 70s. I saw this as a young father or 4, alone. My wife wouldn't go, she had read a review. Within the structure of the film there was much to breed hate and mistrust. The acting was as precise as a scalpel, thinly drawn and never over the line. I am relating my impressions of seeing this film in its original theatrical run over 35 years ago. Rage struck me right up front, full-faced, and it has never completely left my mind. Richard Basehart and Martin Sheen play off each other, and George C. Scott, with just enough character to give it a bitter taste of reality. The scariest thing is that they appear as people you would actually know in real life. Viewing this Little movie on the little screen lost some of its impact due, I feel, to the lack of the VHS format to fill out a Hi-Def LCD screen. It appears slightly out of focus and fuzzy. Tape that delivered a format of 320 x 240 doesn't seem to translate into 1080 x 1920. This is the reason that I join the other reviewers in the plea for at least a DVD release, in full Cinemascope widescreen, (and perhaps a Blu-ray version).

Leonard Maltin says in his review that Scott's transition from peaceful rancher to killer is unconvincing and, in part, I agree. The first violent encounter seems abrupt and jarring. But. The reasons for the transformation are convincing and the set-up is, unlike most modern movies, at least logical. The rage thus engendered is portrayed with convincing implacability. In most of his performances, George C. Scott has more than a touch of rage just under the surface; in this film, he lets it out. The primary flaw, as I see it, is that although the plot line itself is more or less plausible, somehow the supporting actor roles are not convincing, and that I would guess is due more to Scott's directing debut than the actors themselves. Nonetheless, it is a muted but powerful portrayal of a father's searing rage and the look on Scott's face as he scorches down the road on a motorcycle is one that is hard to forget. If this is one of your favorite actors, this is an important film.

Good plot. Great acting.

I have been looking for 'RAGE' for quite some time. It is a minor George C. Scott film, one that he himself directed. Loosely based on the nerve gas testing in Southwestern Utah in the early 50's, we get to see George C. Scott go on a 'Monkey Wrench' rage against the U.S. Government! This is a 'burn on demand' film from Warner Brothers. What you get, is a DVD-R copy of the film. But, I am happy to report, the sound and video quality are superb! So, do not hesitate to add this rather unique film to your collection.

Very good drama also very sad at the end.

[RAGE - 1972 - Widescreen - 100 Min. - Directed by George C. Scott] While one of my favorite actors, this film fails on multiple levels even though it had all the earmarks of its time - mistrust of both the government and military, conspiracy theories, a fear of martial law, hospital cover-ups, concealed enviornmental pollutants, etc., etc. Even Scott's talents seem to miss the mark here, as he fails to convey the deep sense of loss he's undergone and again falters while attempting to elicit the rage the film is centered upon. I hate to admit it, but even the direction is amiss and lacks the whallop George C. is known for. There's adequate pacing between the time he and his son are admitted to the hospital and the moment he plans his revenge against those who have lied to him, killed his son and livestock, tainted his land and left him terminally ill, but there's no knock-out punch delivered, no vindication evident, no taste of vengeance savored before Scott himself collapses and fails to complete his final act. The entire effort becomes an act of coitus interruptus, leaving me with a severe case of 'blue balls' the likes of which I've never experienced from a George C. Scott flick. There was a failure to establish an emotional bond with his son prior to the incident which caused all the dominos to fall, which I believe to be Scott's fault, as he's never been a warm and fuzzy guy to begin with (but in later roles like 'Hardcore' and 'The Changeling' he had expanded his emotional palatte to elicit such emotions), there was only a weak attempt to see him harden enough to plan his retribution, and he then lacked the execution of the film's title - and this AFTER 'Patton'? Where's the 'Rage'? I'm at a loss here to explain these events. Again, Scott's one of my favorite actors, and I had just seen him in 'The Hospital' and 'They Might Be Giants' around the same time and thought he was brilliant in both, but maybe the directorial duties took him away from his strengths in this flick. Regardless, I only think this film warrants 3 stars. Save your 'Rage' for my remarks here, watch this one closely, and maybe you'll agree.

I had seen this movie many years ago,but it hasn't been on TV for decades.The movie staring George C. Scott,is about a sheep rancher,who looses his son and sheep,when the military experiment allows airborne nerve gas to drift on to his land.It's based loosely on the Dugway proving ground nerve gas incident that happened back in the 60's that killed hundreds of sheep.