A Step Out Of Line

I hadn't seen it in almost 44 years. But I've never forgotten it. Many thanks to CBS Home Entertainment for making it available."A Step Out of Line" is a gripping little caper film - with a twist. The perpetrators (three middle-aged, money-strapped Korean War vets) are portrayed as the most upstanding characters in the amoral world they inhabit. That message gets a little preachy in one particular scene, with Peter Falk as insurance-man Harry Connors asking what constitutes a crime. Yet that sermon is quite effective. So are the performances of all three principles. As noted by another reviewer, Vic Morrow's acting (here as laid-off aerospace engineer Joe Rawlins) always implied a lot more going on below the surface.And Peter Lawford, typecast in "A Step Out of Line" as swinging TV commercial producer Art Stoyer is particularly sensitive. His character's observation at one point in the story that "every man owes his country at least a little time in jail" echoes the speech by Peter Falk mentioned earlier. It IS the message of the film; the 1970's equivalent of "whoever is without sin, let him cast the first stone".There is also the presence of the once ubiquitous, now largely forgotten, Jo Ann Pflug. As Gillian Francis, the devoted girlfriend of Stoyer, she looks stunning. But she also exudes scene-grabbing personality in the mold of Dyan Cannon and Fran Jeffries (and resembles both of those smashing ladies very much).Tom Bosley also puts in a nice turn as Connors boss, Jack Berger. Berger's world-weary attitude toward the insurance cheats he deals with daily, is reflected also in the persona of detective Riddle, portrayed by John Randolph.Along with Steven Spielberg's riveting "Duel", also from 1971, "A Step Out of Line" is an example of Network TV's early attempts to bring the ethos of independent cinema to its various Movie-of-the-Week platforms. Unfortunately those quickly devolved to silly formula or sensationalism with the goal of highest ratings and lowest cost - the very amoral stance that "A Step Out of Line" excoriates.

I saw this on network TV many years ago. Always liked it.SPOILER ALERTI especially liked the touch when they're in the Police Patrol van.The Giants baseball game is on the radio and you see 3 empty seats.Just a simple transgression and you lose something that you've always enjoyed.

Beautiful quality.Sometimes the oldies don’t come back so clear. This is put up really good.My wife watched it with me. She doesn’t watch the really crappy ones.No closed captioning though. The last few years the captions or sub titles really help my understanding.However, no previews of other titles either.And then there is the issue that it was not how I remember it!It is a good story. I remember the details a bit wrong though.I heartily endorse and recommend this made for TV movie.Am hoping to get another soon.

I thought this would be a good movie considering the cast but the ending is bizarre and disappointing. I was disappointed

Any movie with Vic Morrow is a winner. While it is dated, it really does seem dated. Actors are great. Story is a little out there, but fun. A good movie and worth watching.

A very interesting moral tale with a satisfying ending for all concerned. Peter Falk heads the cast along with smooth Peter Lawford and the talented Vic Morrow who, in my opinion, deserved a better career post Combat! Vic plays the most complex character. A nice sharp print makes for an enjoyable ninety plus minutes of classic early 1970s entertainment. Here's hoping CBS will continue to release more of the rareTV movies of the late sixties and seventies.

Vic morrow film is great. Fast delivery. Reliable seller.