Can't help thinking there's something elementary wrong with the title of this long and righteously forgotten late 80's exploitation romp
By naming your film (or protest group or whatever) "Women Against Rape", you're almost naturally assuming the majority of the female population is PRO rape. Yes, I know it's a stupid observation, but it occurred to me during the film. Besides, the film itself is pretty stupid as well, but what do you expect from a low budgeted B-flick that stars the lesser talented & unsuccessful brothers of two major Hollywood stars (Frank Stallone and Don Swayze) and George "Buck" Flower in yet another role as an old hillbilly pervert. The message of the film is rather noble. Both during the intro and end-credits, there are footnotes and statistics about the alarmingly high number of big city rape cases on one hand, and the frustratingly low amount of rapists being convicted for their crimes. Of course, a noble message doesn't necessarily guarantee a good film, especially not in case the scenario is extremely dull and clichéd and the acting performances are beyond horrible. Most of the film is just a showcasing of girls being raped by recurring perverts (a duo of rich young snobs with influential parents, a respectable businessman, a stalker and a serial rapist wearing a Halloween mask) and then subsequently joining the McCormick clinic. This is a place where women learn to defend themselves and find comfort among fellow victims. With the help of women activist attorney Helen Shaw, they found the protest group "W.A.R: Women Against Rape". Their intentions are initially purely juridical and peaceful, but since they don't receive police support and the raping cheerfully continue, the group quickly turns into a violent revenge squad. Another appropriate alternative title for W.A.R. could have been A.M.A.P standing for "All Men Are Pigs". With the exception of one cop, all men here are depicted as sleazy and chauvinist bastards that look down on women and disrespect the equal sex rules. The plot twists and dialogs are incredibly transparent and hackneyed ("My father the senator will get me out of jail"). Oh, please! In spite of the exploitative character, W.A.R. is surprisingly tame and cowardly in the sleaze and violence departments. There's hardly any nudity and even the retaliation of the women are pretty much bloodless! If you're hoping for vicious castrations or whatever, you'll feel very disappointed. The only reasonably entertaining moments are when the ladies head out to stigmatize alleged rapists with the giant letters RAPE on their asses. The majority of the "actresses" are painful to listen to, especially the rape victims Judy and Melinda. Martin Landau also briefly appears as a judge and father of the lead activist, but apparently he really regrets that.
Review of Death Blow: A Cry for Justice
