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Horror Cult Classic

Shelley Winters locks vengeance in the basement as a mother's rage takes chilling form.

REVENGE!

A man must die... to even the score for the death of her daughter!

1971 · 1h 15m · NR · Horror / Thriller / TV Movie · IMDB TMDB

A deranged mother avenges herself on the man she thinks seduced her daughter by imprisoning him in a cage in her basement.

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Quick Answer

What is Revenge! about?

Revenge! is a 1971 American horror-thriller TV movie directed by Jud Taylor about a deranged mother who imprisons the man she believes caused her daughter's suicide.

Programmer's Pick

Shelley Winters brings unhinged gravitas to the role of Amanda Hilton in a performance that defines hagsploitation. Revenge! is a lean, mean chamber piece where the terror is as psychological as it is physical.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Revenge! delivers a claustrophobic psychological horror scenario, centering on Amanda Hilton, a mother tormented by her daughter's tragic fate. Convinced she knows who drove her daughter to suicide, Amanda takes matters into her own hands, imprisoning the alleged culprit in a basement cage. The film unfolds as a harrowing exploration of maternal obsession and vigilante justice, with Shelley Winters anchoring the tension as the relentless, emotionally volatile Amanda. The setup is a slow-burn descent into the mind of a woman consumed by grief and the lengths to which she’ll go for retribution. Set mostly within the confines of Amanda's home, the story leans into psychological manipulation and the unnerving dynamics between captor and captive.

Details & Specs

Director
Jud Taylor
Writers
Joseph Stefano, Elizabeth Davis
Release
1971
Runtime
1h 15m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror, Thriller, TV Movie
Also Known As
There Once Was a Woman

Why This Matters

Premiering as an ABC Movie of the Week in 1971, this made-for-television horror-thriller showcases Shelley Winters in a leading role and reflects the era's trend of original genre films produced specifically for network TV audiences.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Jud Taylor Writers: Joseph Stefano +1 more
Shelley Winters Shelley Winters Amanda Hilton Stuart Whitman Stuart Whitman Mark Hembric Bradford Dillman Bradford Dillman Frank Klaner Carol Eve Rossen Carol Eve Rossen Dianne Klaner Roger Perry Roger Perry Pete Marsh Gary Clarke Gary Clarke Ed Linnis Leslie Charleson Leslie Charleson Nancy Grover JS Johnny Scott Lee Jimmy Klaner GB George Burrafato Delivery Man PS Pelly Sutton Mrs. James Lazen

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Why Cult

Hagsploitation Showcase

Shelley Winters dominates the screen as a deranged, vengeful mother in a performance that anchors the film’s unsettling tone.

Basement Captivity

Much of the film's tension plays out in a locked basement, turning a domestic space into a psychological battleground.

Psychological Manipulation

The plot hinges on Amanda’s emotional control and torment of her captive, exploring the dark side of maternal obsession.

TV Movie Macabre

As a made-for-television horror-thriller from 1971, the film channels small-screen suspense with a genuinely sinister edge.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Mother's grief over daughter's suicide

Threat

Amanda Hilton's violent revenge

Effect

Imprisonment and torture of an accused man

Setting

Amanda's basement

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Revenge!? +

Revenge! was directed by Jud Taylor.

How long is Revenge!? +

Revenge! has a runtime of 75 minutes.

What genre is Revenge!? +

Revenge! is a horror-thriller TV movie.

Where can I watch Revenge!? +

Revenge! is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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