Inspired by the Stanley Milgram obedience research, this TV movie chronicles a psychology professor's study to determine why people, such as the Nazis, were willing to "just follow orders" and do horrible things to others. Professor Stephen Turner leads students to believe that they are applying increasingly painful electric shocks to other subjects when they fail to perform a task correctly, and is alarmed to see how much pain the students can be convinced to inflict "in the name of science."
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 William ShatnerProf. Stephen Turner | Prof. Stephen Turner |
 Lynn CarlinBarbara | Barbara |
 Ossie DavisReed | Reed |
 Viveca LindforsMrs. Schnagel | Mrs. Schnagel |
 Estelle ParsonsCrossland | Crossland |
 Roy PooleDr. Goodman | Dr. Goodman |
 Mike KellinMancuso | Mancuso |
 Richard McKenzieMr. Dennison | Mr. Dennison |
 Fred J. ScollayDr. McBride | Dr. McBride |
 Stephen MachtDahlquist | Dahlquist |
 Lindsay CrouseKaren | Karen |
 Charles WhiteHarry Vogel | Harry Vogel |
| GGregory AbelsLab Technician | Lab Technician |
| RRobert BurrMr. Hughes | Mr. Hughes |
| TTom QuinnBully in Bar | Bully in Bar |
| BBillie Lou WattMrs. Carol | Mrs. Carol |
| MMichael HowardNot listed | Not listed |
 Jeff PomerantzProfessor | Professor |
 Damon EvansNot listed | Not listed |
| WW.T. MartinMario, the Waiter | Mario, the Waiter |
| GGary CooksonLab Technician | Lab Technician |
 John TravoltaLab Technician (uncredited) | Lab Technician (uncredited) |