Out drinking one night after a fight with her boyfriend, three men brutally rape Sarah Tobias in a bar while people watch and cheer. District Attorney Kathryn Murphy takes the case; however, she allows the rapists to receive a mild sentence. A distraught Sarah decides to seek punishment for the men who witnessed and encouraged the rape. To get justice, Sarah must take the stand and revisit the night of her attack.
Acting
Foster's raw, feral testimony scene — won her Oscar, deserved ten.
Direction
Kaplan makes you sit in the bystanders' guilt. No easy outs.
Director
Jonathan Kaplan
Jodie Foster
Sarah Tobias
Kelly McGillis
Kathryn Murphy
Bernie Coulson
Ken Joyce
Leo Rossi
Cliff 'Scorpion' Albrect
Ann Hearn
Sally Fraser
Carmen Argenziano
D.A. Paul Rudolph
Steve Antin
Bob Joiner
Tom O'Brien
Larry
Peter Van Norden
Attorney Paulsen
Terry David Mulligan
Lieutenant Duncan
Woody Brown
Danny
Scott Paulin
Attorney Wainwright
Kim Kondrashoff
Kurt
Stephen E. Miller
Polito
Tom Heaton
Bartender Jesse
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film directly inspired real legal changes to 'rape shield laws' and how bystanders could be prosecuted. The 1983 New Bedford case had actual spectators who faced charges.
Jodie Foster was only 23 and initially rejected the role three times. The real Sarah Tobias attended the premiere and told Foster she finally felt heard.
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