Horror reviews are choking the month of October. Had to take a little breather for a friend with an obsession with Linda Blair.
Actually, this movie is not much of a break from the horror genre. It's raw and startling. Not necessarily scary, but it is shocking and will invoke feelings of discomfort, anger, and empathy.

Blair gives a commanding performance as "Chris", a 14-year-old runaway. Really it's amazing that such a young actress can carry this role with such a refined realism. Very controlled, methodical, and convincing. She protrudes the searing emotional pain that nobody, especially a young girl, should have to endure.

Chris wanders around like a stray cat, searching for a tiny semblance of love and acceptance. Her abusive family signs her over to the state, and there she uncovers a different world of cold cynicism and harsh realities.

Born Innocent was a made-for-TV movie. This DVD contains the original graphic rape scene, which is quite appalling.
It is unfortunate that major studios shied away from Linda Blair after her alarming performance in Exorcist. She was an incredible talent.

I ORDERED THIS BECAUSE I REMEMBER SEEING IT BACK IN THE MID-70s WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND STILL NAIVE ABOUT THE WORLD. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AS GOOD SEEING IT AGAIN NOW IN MY 40s WITH LOTS OF INSIGHT ON LIFE. LINDA BLAIR AT THAT TIME OFTEN PLAYED THE ROLE OF A TROUBLED TEENAGE GIRL. THERE IS A VIOLENT RAPE SCENE WHICH TAKES PLACE IN THE SHOWER ROOM AT THE GIRLS' DETENTION CENTER. I FELT THIS WAS FILMED APPROPRIATELY BY MOSTLY SHOWING THE ACTRESS FROM THE WAIST UP AND WITH A MINIMUM OF NUDITY. STILL-WHEN I SAW IT IN THE 70s THERE WAS A DISCLAMOR ON THE TV SCREEN SAYING THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE AN ADULT MOVIE WITH MATURE SUBJECT MATTER. THIS FILM STILL GAVE ME A NERVOUS SHIVVER!..susan swatling

This is a movie about a girl trying to get out of the Hell called home.
Unfortunately, this makes her seen as a criminal to the state. Sending her to a correctional facility with the worst kids her age possible. People who will never(!) get out of system. Another Hell.
Guess who`s the new favorite victim.
Slowly her hopes to get out is picked away, leaving her alone. Except for the other inmates.
Strong scenes of abuse and emotion.
The last sceen is one of the really rare, sweet moments of movies. Complete despair, and possibilities lost.
This is an excellent movie everyone should see. Reminds me a little of Lord of the flies.

I expected a really poor quality rape exploitation film that I would have to chuck after seeing half of it or less. But instead it was a not bad and interesting story. The rape scene was graphic and disgusting, but it didn't last long and fit the story. Linda Blair was pretty good in it. The movie itself could have been done better, but it's worth watching as it is. Make your own mind up if you want to try it or not.

I laugh at people who write things like "good for 70s made for television." This movie is better written than the last 10 Best Pictures combined. There are literary novels not as well characterized.

I was not surprised to learn that the person who wrote this movie is one of the highest paid and most sought after screenwriters working today. I was floored, however, to find out that he wrote movies like message in a bottle. Maybe this says something about the indusry.