Cape Fear
Master filmmaker Martin Scorsese brings heart-pounding suspense to one of the most acclaimed thrillers of all time.
Fourteen years after being imprisoned, vicious psychopath Max Cady (Robert De Niro) emerges with a single-minded mission: to seek revenge on his attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte).
Cady becomes a terrifying presence as he menacingly circles Bowden's increasingly unstable family. Realizing he is legally powerless to protect his beautiful wife Leigh (Jessica Lange) and his troubled teenage daughter Danielle (Juliette Lewis), Sam resorts to unorthodox measures which lead to an unforgettable showdown on Cape Fear.
Visually stunning images and brilliant performances from a talented cast highlight this roller-coaster ride through relentless psychological torment.
Member Reviews
Impressive moviemaking, showing Scorsese as a master of a traditional Hollywood genre - moviemonger
Cape Fear was originally made in 1962, but was redone in 1991 by Martin Scorsese. Supposedly, Scorsese agreed to do the project since it would make money for the studios and give him more power to make the films that he wanted to make. Scorsese's treatment of the film is much different than the original, and definitely more dark and sinister. The acting in this film was very good. Robert De Niro really takes the cake here with his incredibly disturbing portrayal of Max Cady as a sly and conniving criminal who evades arrest while taking revenge. He certainly put a lot of work into the film since he had to get in great physical condition, get large tattoos all over himself, and even hire a dentist to mess up his teeth. I was also impressed by Nick Nolte, who plays his character with realistic anger. Juliette Lewis reportedly worked hard to get this early role in her career, but she plays her part very convincingly. Overall, I thought this movie was great, despite some bad sequences and questionable camera shots. I’m not sure how anyone can claim the original is better?Cape Fear - djfunkybob
Scorsese directs this remake of the 1960’s thriller in a throwback style reminiscent of classic Hitchcock. De Niro masterfully plays the vengeful parolee Max Cady – a man who realizes he was unjustly incarcerated, and while imprisoned, sets out to retaliate against the lawyer (played by Nolte) who (mis)represented him. You can feel every moment of anxiety as the confident and successful lawyer, Sam Bowden, realizes Cady can’t be bought or bullied and will stop at nothing until Bowden learns his lesson. In addition to De Niro, Lewis is also brilliant as Bowden’s naïve teenage daughter, Dani, who falls for Cady’s Southern charm. Knowing what Cady is capable of, you fear for Dani with every subtle indication of her infatuation. The ending where the Bowden’s escape the terror by heading out of town is chilling especially when you are watching for the first time.A Good Thriller - TheShamus
Who knows how the forces of Hollywood decide when a classic movie need to be made over again. Cape Fear is a remake of a Gregory Peck film I had never seen.
I first saw the film on the "big screen" when it was initially released. It was worthwhile to see it this way -- especially for the houseboat scenes at the end of the movie.
There were two things that stood out for me about this movie. First ... Robert DeNiro. He is completely transformed into a rough as nails ex-con. Physically, he is in top shape, with a tatooed body. From an acting perspective, he is totally impressive as a guy who initially comes off as "harmess" and turns into a "nighmare".
Secondly, Juliette Lewis does an excellent job of playing the impressionable teen daughter. It's uncomfortable ... but very memerable.
The reason this movie does not rate higher (because it is a worthwhile picture) is due to the limitation of the script. It's creepy, and it unwinds more slowly than other movies. The movie is a little too straighforward and perhaps too "over the top" in the final act.
If you are looking for a scary thriller ... this one is good. It is in the league of "The Shining".
/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\
Member Reviews
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Impressive moviemaking, showing Scorsese as a master of a traditional Hollywood genre - moviemonger
Cape Fear was originally made in 1962, but was redone in 1991 by Martin Scorsese. Supposedly, Scorsese agreed to do the project since it would make money for the studios and give him more power to make the films that he wanted to make. Scorsese's treatment ...Cape Fear - djfunkybob
Scorsese directs this remake of the 1960’s thriller in a throwback style reminiscent of classic Hitchcock. De Niro masterfully plays the vengeful parolee Max Cady – a man who realizes he was unjustly incarcerated, and while imprisoned, sets out to retaliate ...A Good Thriller - TheShamus
Who knows how the forces of Hollywood decide when a classic movie need to be made over again. Cape Fear is a remake of a Gregory Peck film I had never seen.
I first saw the film on the "big screen" when it was initially released. It was worthwhile ...