Sunday in the Country (1974)
A reclusive farmer becomes judge, jury, and jailer when three dangerous bank robbers make the mistake of choosing his home as their hideout.
Sunday in the Country - Movie Information
- Original Title: Sunday in the Country
- Release Year: 1974
- Directed by: John Trent
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 22, 1974 (United States - R), March 28, 1975 (Canada - 18A)
- Alternative Titles: Self Defense (FR), Killing Machine (DE), Domingo sangriento (ES), La giustizia privata di un cittadino onesto (IT), Blood for Blood (US)
- Production Companies: Canadian Film Development Corporation, Impact Films, Quadrant Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, Canada
Sunday in the Country - Plot
Three vicious thugs are on the run in rural America after robbing a local bank. They seek refuge at the home of a reclusive farmer, but he is prepared for their arrival and holds them at gunpoint. Unable to let them simply wait for the law, he decides to take them into his cellar and torture them a little before the police arrive.
Sunday in the Country - Trailer
See the tension unfold in this official trailer for the 1974 thriller:
Suddenly, on a peaceful Sunday in the country, one man was forced to defend his home and his family!
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Sunday in the Country - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Trent
Main Cast
- Ernest Borgnine
- Michael J. Pollard
- Hollis McLaren
- Louis Zorich
- Cec Linder
- Vladimír Valenta
- Al Waxman
- Tim Henry
- Murray Westgate
- Ralph Endersby
Writers
- David Main
- John Trent
- Robert Maxwell
Producers
- David Perlmutter
Sunday in the Country - FAQs
What is Sunday in the Country about?
Sunday in the Country follows three ruthless bank robbers who flee into rural America and take shelter at a remote farmhouse. The farmer who lives there isn't the easy target they expected — he turns the tables on them, holding them captive and meting out his own brand of justice before the police arrive.
Who are the main actors in Sunday in the Country?
Ernest Borgnine leads the cast as Adam Smith, the determined farmer at the heart of the story. Michael J. Pollard plays the menacing Leroy, with Hollis McLaren, Louis Zorich, Vladimír Valenta, Al Waxman, and Cec Linder rounding out the key roles in this tense rural thriller.
Is Sunday in the Country a vigilante film?
Very much so. Sunday in the Country is a classic example of the vigilante revenge subgenre — a lone citizen, pushed to his limits, taking justice into his own hands. It taps into the same raw, morally charged territory as other 1970s films exploring ordinary people confronting extraordinary violence.
Where can I stream Sunday in the Country?
You can watch Sunday in the Country on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads as part of your subscription. It's also available free with ads on Fawesome, or you can rent or buy it through Amazon Video if you prefer to watch on demand.
When was Sunday in the Country released?
Sunday in the Country opened in the United States on November 22, 1974, with a Canadian release following on March 28, 1975. The film was a British-Canadian co-production directed by John Trent and remains a notable entry in the canuxploitation genre of that era.
What is the age rating for Sunday in the Country?
Sunday in the Country carries an R rating in the United States, reflecting its scenes of violence, threat, and torture. Viewers should expect a dark, intense tone throughout. In Canada, the film was rated 18A upon its 1975 release, indicating it's intended for mature audiences only.
Is Sunday in the Country based on a true story?
Sunday in the Country is not based on a specific true story. It's a fictional thriller written by David Main, John Trent, and Robert Maxwell. That said, its premise — a farmer defending his home against violent criminals — taps into very real anxieties about rural isolation and self-reliance that resonated strongly with 1970s audiences.
What are some movies similar to Sunday in the Country?
If Sunday in the Country hits the spot, you might enjoy Midnight Express (1978), Walking Tall (2004), The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), or Ghostland (2018) for similarly intense tales of captivity and revenge. La Civil (2021) and Seeking Justice (2011) also explore vigilante justice with gripping results.
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