This is very underrated thriller which also poses questions about America's love of guns. It is very low key and filmed almost like a documentary, and Karen Young is excellent as the victimised main character. It perhaps isn't as powerful as it could be but it is definitely worth watching.
10 Reviews
Decent rape and revenge thriller
The_Void25 February 2008
Handgun is an obscure little rape and revenge thriller that has more weight than many other films in the genre and actually tries to make some points outside of it. The film I would liken this one to most is the Swedish exploitation flick 'They Call Her One Eye' as it features an innocent young looking girl being wronged and then getting herself some weapons and some training to get back at her enemy. In fact, the two films are so similar that I would be very surprised if Handgun director Tony Garnett has not seen They Call Her One Eye. The major focal point here is course, rape. Kathleen Sullivan is a young woman who moves from Boston to Dallas. While there, she meets a man and starts seeing him; but shortly thereafter, the relationship turns sour when she refuses her advances, and he rapes her at gunpoint. She gets over the initial shock by getting angry and later buying herself a nice big gun and learning how to use it, all with the intention of hunting down and killing the man who raped her...
The film comes off as being slightly classier than the 'Video Nasty' style rape and revenge flicks such as The Last House on the Left and I Spit on Your Grave, although it's not as graphic, sleazy or nasty; and to be honest, I prefer the aforementioned classics to this film. The film is rather slow to start and nothing much happens for the first half hour. This is good in a way because it lets us get used to the central character, but on the other hand it's quite boring so becomes a bit of a problem. Otherwise, the plot flows fairly well; but there's never any secret made over where it's going so the film doesn't contain a lot of suspense. The rape scene is not particularly graphic either, which is a shame because it's what a lot of people will be tuning in for. There's a point thrown in there about guns and their usage, but it's not very potent. The film boils down to a good conclusion, despite the fact that it's obvious it was going to turn out that way - but it does pull an interesting little twist out at the end which is decent. Overall, I'm not surprised that this film isn't well known as it's not all that good and wont appeal to a mass market; but it's decent stuff and I can recommend it.
The film comes off as being slightly classier than the 'Video Nasty' style rape and revenge flicks such as The Last House on the Left and I Spit on Your Grave, although it's not as graphic, sleazy or nasty; and to be honest, I prefer the aforementioned classics to this film. The film is rather slow to start and nothing much happens for the first half hour. This is good in a way because it lets us get used to the central character, but on the other hand it's quite boring so becomes a bit of a problem. Otherwise, the plot flows fairly well; but there's never any secret made over where it's going so the film doesn't contain a lot of suspense. The rape scene is not particularly graphic either, which is a shame because it's what a lot of people will be tuning in for. There's a point thrown in there about guns and their usage, but it's not very potent. The film boils down to a good conclusion, despite the fact that it's obvious it was going to turn out that way - but it does pull an interesting little twist out at the end which is decent. Overall, I'm not surprised that this film isn't well known as it's not all that good and wont appeal to a mass market; but it's decent stuff and I can recommend it.
An authentic and socially aware revenge thriller that goes against the grain of what Hollywood regularly churned out
mwilson19763 June 2020
A teacher in Texas (Karen Young) learns how to use a gun in order to take revenge against the lawyer (Clayton Day) who raped her in British director Tony Garnett's American film debut. EMI Films funded this slow, thoughtful, and considered character study that criticizes American gun culture but refused to release it as they were expecting a commercial action movie with some sexy rape scenes. Like the director's previous film, Prostitute, you could be mistaken for thinking you were watching a documentary rather than a film, and this is certainly not your standard exploitation revenge thriller that Hollywood regularly churned out, especially coming from an era when movies like I Spit On Your Grave were rife. Garnett used a mix of unknown actors and non-professionals in key roles and operated right at the apex of contemporary social issues, upholding the traditions of the utterly authentic, socially aware films he produced with Ken Loach in Britain during the '60s and '70s. He sold the film to Warner Bros who just sat on it as they were producing a Clint Eastwood rape and revenge film at the same time and didn't want the competition. It opened in just a few theatres before being pulled and was a Box Office flop.
Kathleen Got A Gun
rupertcook14 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is quite a confused film. Karen Young is a young and rather soppy school teacher which is emphasised so strongly one struggles to empathise with her, until she is raped. Her abuser is the sort of clean-living man who hates "faggots" and regards John Wayne as a perfect role model and spends his weekends at the local shooting range. They go on a date, though she stresses that she's not looking for a serious relationship. He enthuses over guns and she invites him to give her students a lecture on them. Things don't really develop romantically so he decides to use good old fashioned force.
The rape scene, though not graphic, is still harrowing. Perhaps it's the contrast between her implied innocence and his brash matter-of- fact attitude that makes the rape so shocking. After he's had her he even suggests that she needs counselling, stressing that she's got to be responsible for her actions. The more he lectures her the more he feels justified in his actions.
She goes to the police. She is given very little support. Even the priest at her local church seems at odds with her suffering spouting nonsense about God delivering punishment and how her abuser is suffering too. Infuriated by authority she employs her own justice.
We then see her attend the rifle range and become an expert shot. One scene I really liked was when she was mock-shooting in her flat and the gun was reflected over a picture of John and Yoko kissing; John Lennon abhorred violence and was shot dead a few years before the film was made.
I found this film engaging, the slow build, the everyday events, the little mundanities of life were well observed. It was almost a documentary until the tone changed when Kathleen (Karen Young) got a gun. It then becomes a little confused. The film seems to be anti- gun but is it? Kathleen is initially terrified of firearms and yet she resorts to them to gain revenge; meet force with force. It seems to imply that authority is failing, take up arms to solve your problems. If it is anti-gun its point is muddled. True Kathleen doesn't kill Larry and maybe the film makers regard that as a positive message.
It ends on a positive note. Kathleen is seen smiling and chatting and cuddling a black baby, this last action could be seen as a riposte to a monologue given by a white supremacist who predicts an uprising by blacks and Mexicans.
The rape scene, though not graphic, is still harrowing. Perhaps it's the contrast between her implied innocence and his brash matter-of- fact attitude that makes the rape so shocking. After he's had her he even suggests that she needs counselling, stressing that she's got to be responsible for her actions. The more he lectures her the more he feels justified in his actions.
She goes to the police. She is given very little support. Even the priest at her local church seems at odds with her suffering spouting nonsense about God delivering punishment and how her abuser is suffering too. Infuriated by authority she employs her own justice.
We then see her attend the rifle range and become an expert shot. One scene I really liked was when she was mock-shooting in her flat and the gun was reflected over a picture of John and Yoko kissing; John Lennon abhorred violence and was shot dead a few years before the film was made.
I found this film engaging, the slow build, the everyday events, the little mundanities of life were well observed. It was almost a documentary until the tone changed when Kathleen (Karen Young) got a gun. It then becomes a little confused. The film seems to be anti- gun but is it? Kathleen is initially terrified of firearms and yet she resorts to them to gain revenge; meet force with force. It seems to imply that authority is failing, take up arms to solve your problems. If it is anti-gun its point is muddled. True Kathleen doesn't kill Larry and maybe the film makers regard that as a positive message.
It ends on a positive note. Kathleen is seen smiling and chatting and cuddling a black baby, this last action could be seen as a riposte to a monologue given by a white supremacist who predicts an uprising by blacks and Mexicans.
Great Movie...
richrock23 August 2006
This is being written from memories of it being of UK TV, so bear with me. My dad used to rave about this, and when we got the chance to watch it, I could see why. This is a powerful, emotional driven film where the act of rape and the subsequent cold revenge using the rapists method are excellently executed. I am still kicking myself because we didn't video it and it isn't available on DVD. For shame! This is a film that seriously challenges the ownership and use of guns, and even for a person who sees no problem with guns used responsibly (like myself), this film still challenges... Worth watching for the ending - twist central!
Best Film Ever
alanmcneice22 October 2013
I absolutely love this film, I saw it first when it was first released and found its message both powerful and thought provoking. The way the film was made was how any of us would react if we had been that girl that we wanted justice and sometimes although its not always right its the only way to get it. Brilliant performances from both the main actors which give credence to the film. It does start of slowly but that is to get you used to the characters in the movie but when it kicks in it does so with a bang and I actually found my anger growing and my belief in justice coming out. This film will hit a raw nerve within you if it doesn't your a robot. This is for sure a movie to see before you die.
Superb, unjustly forgotten dramatic-thriller
Red-Barracuda23 May 2018
I remember back in the early 80's when home video was an exciting new concept, seeing a brochure from a local video rental store which featured a bunch of alluring looking movies, in amongst titles like Pia Zadora's Butterfly (1982) (yes, it is amazing what you can remember) was an interesting film called Handgun. The brief synopsis made it sound like an adult and challenging feature, i.e. something that I as a kid wanted to see! So it was strange for me to realise when I saw it for the first time just recently on a cable channel that it was in fact a very obscure movie. It seems to have not gotten too far beyond its home video release back in the 80's before more or less vanishing from sight. Well this seems like a criminal situation, as unlike a lot of movies I have anticipated seeing for many years, this one turned out to be an excellent and intelligent dramatic thriller. It follows a young woman who is a free-thinking teacher who begins a relationship with a charming gun-lover; on their second date he rapes her at gun point. She decides to turn the tables on him by learning to also become a crack shot with a handgun and with this new found skill she plans her revenge.
This definitely qualifies as one of the more intelligent rape-revenge thrillers out there. Part of its message is a criticism of American gun culture which seems more and more pertinent as each year goes by and another mass shooting happens in the name of gun ownership. Karen Young is excellent in the lead role and travels a wide arc of emotion in this one. She is very easy to get behind - let's be honest if you are not on her side in this movie, chances are you are a sociopath! Anyway, I am very pleased that this one is now doing the rounds on cable here in the UK as it certainly deserves to be re-discovered as it should never have become forgotten in the first place. A first rate thriller in my personal opinion.
This definitely qualifies as one of the more intelligent rape-revenge thrillers out there. Part of its message is a criticism of American gun culture which seems more and more pertinent as each year goes by and another mass shooting happens in the name of gun ownership. Karen Young is excellent in the lead role and travels a wide arc of emotion in this one. She is very easy to get behind - let's be honest if you are not on her side in this movie, chances are you are a sociopath! Anyway, I am very pleased that this one is now doing the rounds on cable here in the UK as it certainly deserves to be re-discovered as it should never have become forgotten in the first place. A first rate thriller in my personal opinion.
very worrying
christopher-underwood3 June 2014
This is a very worrying and concerned look at US gun control, or rather the lack of it. Written and directed by Tony Garnett, there is never any doubt that this is going to be a passionate and personal statement. Indeed at first it seemed that it was going to be too determined and well intentioned to work properly as a film but was i proved wrong? Believe it or not this almost documentary like film ends up being a rape and revenge movie. Without, I hasten to add any exploitation elements, which isn'y yo say that it is not harrowing. The rape sequence despite not being sexually explicit, has to have been the hardest to watch that I have encountered and made all the more difficult because the perpetrator, an attorney, is taking great care throughout to ensure that it is all her fault. Karen Young gives an astonishing performance, convincing as a very young and nervous child like person at the start before she converts into her role as woman of vengeance. All I can really fault the film for is some of the visuals are a little lacking in depth or imagination, the cinematography gives this the look of a TV movie and whilst it may have been so intended and get a realistic look, I think this was a mistake. That aside it is faultless and a very worthwhile watch.
Texas Gun Culture
georgewilliamnoble10 May 2018
I caught this British made but American set and themed thriller on TV.
After it had been on for a few minutes i remembered that i seen this film on its original theatre release. Though essentially a low budget exploitation film with a message or two as it's justification, events since the movies 1983 release have made the film far more relevant today. What with the gun lobby at odds with the gun control debate raging in the USA, not to mention the sexual harassment question gripping the attention of this years movie awards season. There is a lot to think about, in this well made though clearly low budget but very effective little thriller, that play's out in a taught tense swift 90 minutes.
Deep in my deception
searchanddestroy-119 December 2023
I was really deceived by this woke before its time movie, which I expected in the line of Neil Jordan's THE BRAVE ONE, starring a Jodie Foster more or less in the same kind of lead female character. This one is a piece of junk - not sh...though - talkative, very slow to begin, and finally lousy, cheesy. With some good scenes however, such as the shooting walk practice; I appreciated. Yes, this is purely WOKE before its time. Now in 2023, this kind of plot is very usual. But in the early eighties, it was a bit the heir of the vigilante fashion that emerged in the seventies. Bad acting and lame directing. Forget it.
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