Adapted from the successful, yet controversial, 1982 off-Broadway play of the same name by William Mastrosimone, Extremities centers on a rape investigation and the difficulty that its victims have in getting justice from the legal and judicial systems. Released in 1986, the lead role was played by Farrah Fawcett, largely remembered for her iconic red swimsuit poster in 1976, and her role as Jill Munroe in the first season of Aaron Spelling’s Charlie’s Angels. While Extremities falls victim to an uneven narrative, and an occasional heavy-hand, Fawcett proved she was capable of delivering a dramatic performance.

On her way home from work, Marjorie (Fawcett) makes a quick stop at an ice cream parlor. Finding it closed, she returns to her car where she is accosted by a masked man (James Russo). The stranger puts a knife to her throat and forces her to drive to a remote location. When he changes from the back to the front seat, Marjorie is eventually able to distract him, and escape from the car. When she reports the incident to a female police officer, the woman is sympathetic, but bluntly tells her there’s not much they can do. Realizing that her attacker has her ID, and therefore her address, Marjorie fears his return. Back at home, bruised and bitter, Marjorie tells her roommates Pat (Alfre Woodard) and Terry (Diana Scarwid) about the ordeal.

Several days later, Marjorie stays at home while her roommates go off to work. Not long after, a man name Joe comes to the front door, claiming to be looking for a friend of his. It soon becomes clear that this man is Marjorie’s attacker, and he’s returned to finish what he started. He terrorizes Marjorie, forcing her to dress provocatively, calling her a hoar, forcing her to cook him a meal, and then making her say she loves him and wants to make love with him. As Joe begins to force himself on her, Marjorie is able to spray some insect repellent in his face, leaving him temporarily blinded. Now given the upper hand, Marjorie ties Joe up, entrapping him in the house’s fireplace, while she plots her next move.

Subtlety is not the order of the day here, but director Robert M. Young (Alambrista!) deserves credit for trying to tackle some tough issues here. While I’m not sure the response to attempted sexual assault in the mid-1980’s was quite as blasé as it’s portrayed here, laws certainly weren’t as strong as they are now, and women were often left feeling unprotected, until they were utterly brutalized. The female officer who takes Marjorie’s initial complaint, says that her word alone isn’t enough to convict the assailant. The officer, and Marjorie’s roommates even go so far as to remind her that she wasn’t raped; that she should be thankful to have gotten away. It’s understandable that Marjorie doesn’t feel as grateful about it all.

With all that said, despite the fine acting turn from Farrah Fawcett, the ending is somewhat troubling. The idea that that a confession extracted under fear of fear of castration is going to stand up in court without serious questioning is simply not believable.

Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Olive Films has given Extremities an impressive transfer. The image appears film-like, and boasts a nice level of fine detail. The source material seems free of any noticeable dirt or debris, and colors are stable. Skin tones appear natural.

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio mix offers some depth, which gives some added flavor to the scenes of struggle. Dialogue is clean and clear throughout, and layered well with effects and music.

There are no subtitles included.

The following extras are available:

  • Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:10)