The Face of Rage 1983
The Face of Rage (1983) plunges viewers into a raw, quasi-documentary drama set within a stark rehabilitation facility. This intense made-for-TV film confronts one of cinema's most harrowing themes: the violent collision of perpetrator and survivor.
Director: Donald Wrye
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Face of Rage (1983) about?
*The Face of Rage* follows a group of convicted rapists as they face their victims in a rehabilitation facility, forcing a high-stakes dialogue about trauma and responsibility. The film zeroes in on a charged meeting between Richard and Rebecca, where words become weapons and silence speaks volumes.
Who directed The Face of Rage?
The Face of Rage was directed by Donald Wrye, who co-wrote the screenplay with Hal Sitowicz using real-life court transcripts to ground the dialogue in authenticity.
Who stars in The Face of Rage?
The film features Dianne Wiest, Graham Beckel, Jeffrey DeMunn, George Dzundza, Danny Glover, and John Glover in pivotal roles that anchor the emotional weight of the story.
Is The Face of Rage (1983) worth watching?
As an unrated drama, *The Face of Rage* delivers a morally complex and emotionally exhausting experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Its vérité style and strong performances by Wiest and Beckel make it compelling for fans of intense character-driven dramas, even if the subject matter is difficult.
How long is The Face of Rage?
The Face of Rage runs approximately 100 minutes, offering a concentrated dose of drama that fits its TV movie format.
About The Face of Rage (1983) — A Powerful Drama of Confrontation and Redemption
The Face of Rage (1983) plunges viewers into a raw, quasi-documentary drama set within a stark rehabilitation facility. This intense made-for-TV film confronts one of cinema's most harrowing themes: the violent collision of perpetrator and survivor. At its core is a brutal verbal duel between Richard, a convicted rapist played with unsettling intensity by Graham Beckel, and Rebecca, his victim portrayed with devastating vulnerability by Dianne Wiest. Directed by Donald Wrye and co-written with Hal Sitowicz—who drew dialogue from real-life court transcripts—the movie strips away artifice to expose the emotional wreckage of assault and the uneasy push for justice.
Filmed in a stark, vérité style that heightens the tension, *The Face of Rage* becomes more than a courtroom drama—it's a psychological standoff where anger, guilt, and the possibility (or impossibility) of healing collide. With a cast including Jeffrey DeMunn, George Dzundza, and a young Danny Glover, the film challenges audiences to sit with uncomfortable truths about violence and accountability. Its unflinching tone and morally complex narrative make it a standout in 1980s television drama.