It did indeed make me cringe, but that was the point. If we didn't get to really see what happened and get a sense of what she went through, then her father's betrayal wouldn't get the emotional rise out of the audience that it needed. I thought the scene was well done; brutal enough to make you despise the rapists and understand why she was so messed up, but not gratuitously graphic like something from an exploitation film.
Here's to the health of Cardinal Puff.

Takin' turns.

The scene made me cringe.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." -Gandalf the Grey

It's been a long time since I've seen the film and I only finally got around to reading the book (I love DeMille's books). I do recall that the rape scene was, in many respects, way over the top and even stylized. At no point in the decription in the book were the rapists wearing "Ghillie suits." These are only worn by snipers while stalking slowly or stationary. They are not practical for anyone else due to the weight, snagging on branches factor etc etc. However, to the film maker, it looked cool to have them all done up in full ghillie suits looking like sasquatches and throwing their arms up in the air and making animal noisesjust one of the deviationd from the book that ruined the film. The overall effect was just too "theatrical" to the point where (as an earlier poster mentioned) some sicko may even find it entertaining. The rape in "the Accused" I found to be realistic and disturbing - the way it should be.
Also in the book, the rape happens on a simple, falling target gallery rifle range and not ..whatever the hell that was supposed to be in the movieAgain, the film makers thought it looked coolbut, (like adding idiot lights and sprinkling dialogue with cliches because the writers are too stupid, lazy or inexperienced in the subject to come up with realistic lines), it only works on the truly uneducated. The setting in the book would have been better.
I'm surprised DeMille (who was on set) allowed these silly changes and additions.

This message has been deleted.

I didn't like this movie for that scene (well - other stuff too, but that scene stays with you a bit more). To be honest, it was too long ago that I no longer remember specifics, but the whole thing just felt voyeuristic to me. I didn't think it was necessary and it just made me think of the weirdos out in the world that would actually get off on such a scene. I think film-makers have to really carefully weigh things before they add rape scenes into a movie and in most cases, I actually think the decision should be to not include them. Considering some of the facets of this particular rape story, it was even more worrying to me.

Well,it wasn't really a rape scene. All we see are a bunch of guys tearing off a woman's clothes and then tying her down to the ground.
Uhh I also saw some pretty obvious pelvic thrusting there.

Well,it wasn't really a rape scene.All we see are a bunch of guys tearing off a woman's clothes and then tying her down to the ground.

I agree, Sean, it was a very tasteful rape scene.

This message has been deleted.

This message has been deleted.

This message has been deleted.

It was disturbing, but tastefully done. I give them points for having it be fairly brief and inexplicit.

This message has been deleted.

Of course not! For one, it is a rape scene, and for two, I am a female! Ewww!

so it didn't give you ANY wood?

Yes, horrendous. As any rape scene is.