Cape Fear [1961]
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • "You have to know him to feel the threat..."
  • Fearful "Cape"
  • OH MY GOD.......THIS FILM SHOOK ME......CLOSE YOUR CURTAINS!
  • Brutal and bloody and better than the original
  • "Every man has to go through hell to reach paradise..."
Cape Fear [1961]
Starring: Robert Mitchum , Gregory Peck , Polly Bergen , and Martin Balsam
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000094YUA
Release Date: 2005-10-24
Cape Fear [1961]

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars "You have to know him to feel the threat...".......2008-01-12

J. Lee Thompson's 1962 version of Cape Fear may not be a masterpiece, but in everyway it's a superior thriller to Martin Scorsese's horribly misjudged remake. More surprisingly, it's also much nastier even with the heavier censorship of the day - Robert Mitchum's treatment of Polly Bergen in the last reel is startlingly violent and disturbing even now and its still shocking to see an early 60s film that revolves around sex crimes. There's no doubt exactly what's on Mitchum's mind, whether he's eyeing up a pickup in a bar or breaking an egg in his fist and smearing the yolk over the mother's shoulders and neck: like a lazy reptile waiting to casually catch a fly with his tongue, he merely has to look at Gregory Peck's underage daughter to exude menace. Where the remake offered a dysfunctional family forced to come together, the original offers something much more anarchic, as Gregory Peck's Mr Civil Liberties gradually comes to realize that the only way to protect his All-American family from Mitchum's strutting lizard-like vengeful ex-con is play dirty himself and plan his murder using his own daughter as bait. He may be playing another small-town southern lawyer, but he's is as far way from Atticus Finch as Mitchum's seedy, cocky but thoroughly self-aware Max Cady is from his self-deluding self-righteous `preacher' Harry Powell.

While Mitchum and Peck occupy centre-stage, James Webb's tight script ensures the supporting cast make a strong impression too as they usher Peck further down the path to murder: Martin Balsam's sympathetic police chief who'll bend the law a little to harass an ex-con for a solid citizen, Telly Savalas (with hair) as a pragmatic private eye who is not above calling in as little help from the wrong side of tracks and Jack Kruschen, not playing Jewish for a change, as Cady's mouthpiece who knows just how to use the law to protect the guilty. Aided immensely by Samuel Leavitt's menacing black and white photography and Bernard Herrmann's dramatically sinister score, Thompson's direction is right on target throughout: he may not have been one of the great directors, but he knew how to tell a story without losing the characters along the way, and he's at the top of his game here. It may not be quite a classic, but it is a strikingly effective thriller, albeit an undeniably nasty one.

Unusually for a film of the period, this boasts a surprisingly excellent DVD, with a good widescreen black and white transfer and plenty of extras, from a half hour documentary (though sadly only Thompson and Peck contribute, with Mitchum notably absent), production notes, a well-designed stills montage and the original theatrical trailer.

5 out of 5 stars Fearful "Cape".......2006-11-07

Sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are the ones that look just like humans.

And one such monster is at the heart of "Cape Fear," one of the most harrowing movies from Hollywood's golden age. Rather than a straightforward thriller, this movie explores how sometimes both crime and justice can go outside the law -- and how far some people will go for revenge.

Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck) sent Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) to prison for rape, eight years ago. Now Cady has been released, and is determined to settle the old score -- and Bowden's wife and teenage daughter are next. Bowden tries to get the police to help, but until Cady breaks a law, they can't do anything.

And so Cady begins his vendetta against Bowden -- he stalks Bowden's daughter and poisons the dog. He rapes a young woman, then frightens her into not telling. As Bowden's life becomes a living nightmare, he knows that he will have to go outside the law to deal with Cady -- and he'll have to set a trap.

Hitchcock would have been jealous. Not many movies -- even of his movies -- create the sense of pure evil that "Cape Fear" does. Stalking laws didn't exist back then, and so until a crime was committed and charges were pressed, the police literally could not do a thing.

And that conflict is the heart of "Cape Fear." As a lawyer, Bowden believes firmly in the justice of law at the beginning, but that is shattered when Cady uses the law for himself. J. Lee Thompson illustrates how law and justice aren't the same thing -- Cady is evil but works within the law, while Bowden must go vigilante to keep his innocent family safe.

And J. Lee Thompson does a great job creating this nightmare. Ominous music, shadowy sets, and taut, terrifying sequences that seem a little too real, such as when Cady relentlessly pursues little Nancy around the school. And the dialogue is as tight as the plot ("We're gonna nurse you back to health. And you're strong, Cady. You're gonna live a long life... in a cage!").

Peck and Mitchum are absolutely amazing in this movie. Few actors could pull off the cold, calculating evil of Mitchum's Cady. Rape, murder, pedophilia -- you name it, he'll do it. Peck is equally outstanding as the devoted father and husband, but he is at his best when Bowden is slowly being stretched to the breaking point.

"Cape Fear" is the sort of horror story that can happen in real life, and Peck and Mitchum's performances elevate it into a classic. Absolutely terrifying, amazingly made.

5 out of 5 stars OH MY GOD.......THIS FILM SHOOK ME......CLOSE YOUR CURTAINS!.......2005-07-28

WOW!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A FILM....DE NIRO IS SUCH A GREAT - FANTASTIC ACTOR AND PLAYS THE REALLY NASTY PART OF MAX KATIE, AND PLAYS IT VERY WELL!

SUCH A EVIL, SCARY, SHOCKING FILM WITH SO MUCH SUSPENSE THAT YOU COULD NOT LEAVE THE ROOM EVEN IF YOU ARE PISSING YOURSELF....IT IS THAT GOOD.
I LOVE IT WHEN THE EX COP INVESTIGATOR SENDS THE 3 (USELESS) HITMEN TO KILL MAX KATIE....KATIE(DE NIRO) WAS A STRONG, INTELLIGENT MADMAN.....ROB DONE IT AGAIN,A GREAT FILM......A MUST WATCH. (NEVER GO ON A BOAT WHEN THERES A EX PRISON INsAN0 AFTER YOU!!!!!! REVENGE.....)

3 out of 5 stars Brutal and bloody and better than the original.......2004-07-25

Having seen the original I was curious to see what film veteran partners Scorsese and De Niro could build on the 1962 thriller classic. The original lacks the thrills of a Hitchcock film and seems a little routine, but Bob Mitchum is considerably greater at playing a swaggering, seductive villian than De Niro. De Niro is far better at playing a recluse or a more human man with inner demons (check out Taxi Driver/Raging Bull) and Mitchum is better as a deranged maniac (check out The night of the Hunter), however, De Niro performs admirably and this is a first rate thriller.
The film is tense, Juliette Lewis is great as the pubescent teenager led on by Max Cady, and Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange are quite frankly a disappointment, playing very 2D characters that require more depth to emphasise their dilemma.
The story is simple but effective, Scorsese's trademark occasional scenes of bloodshed, brutality, religious symbolism and misogyny are there and check out the artificial coloured skies and the fireworks that pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock who obviously greatly influenced Scorsese here. The film has succeeded in updating a thriller where brutality and violence far too graphic for 1962 have been incorporated.
De Niro is over the top, Nolte is too routine and the climax is thrilling but ridicoulas, but still this is highly entertaining cinema.

5 out of 5 stars "Every man has to go through hell to reach paradise...".......2004-03-04

Very few thrillers stand out like Martin Scorsese's "Cape Fear." It's a terrifying ride that frightens us to the very core. It shakes you violently and paints an intense picture of revenge that is taken to a whole different level. This is a dark and brutal film that doesn't let you off easy for a single second.

Attorney Sam Bowden appears to have the perfect life upon simple examination. He has a loving wife and daughter, a very nice home, and a pretty successful and providing career. Things take a drastic turn when Max Cady is released from prison after serving a term of fourteen years. Cady was once represented by Bowden and is now looking for a little payback, as he feels that his former attorney didn't do everything he possibly could to keep him out of prison. Now, Sam must realize the present danger that is before him, as not only is his life in absolute danger--but also his family and everybody else he loves and cares for. The stakes have never been higher.

This is an absolutely disturbing film that pulls no punches. It's a very uneasy movie to watch, and yet it is so well done that it is hard NOT to watch. Robert De Niro is extremely terrifying as the vengeful "Max Cady" who is out and about, looking to settle the score. This is definitely a signature role for De Niro, as this would be one of his many roles that he will be remembered for most. Nick Nolte also gives a remarkable performance that adds a human quality to his character. The movie is well written and is perfectly executed frame by frame. It plays like a Hitchcock film on ecstasy. Martin Scorsese flawlessly directs this horrifying picture and knows what strings to pull to get a reaction from us. Be warned, this is not a movie for those who have weak stomachs or faint hearts.

The DVD does a splendid job when it comes to doing the movie the justice that it deserves. The picture quality is great--it is such a relief that I don't have to deal with the terrible laserdisc version that had the most horrendous picture quality. The sound quality is also great, and you even get the chance to watch it in DTS, if your system carries it. There are some cool extras for DVD fanatics, with extras like featurettes, deleted scenes, production notes, a theatrical trailer and more. Surely, there will be some who will want more for a film of this caliber, but the overall presentation is more than satisfactory.

"Cape Fear" is a relentless thriller that is terrifying and suspenseful. The movie has an excellent cast, a great script, and an extremely talented director behind it all. Again, the movie is very intense and isn't recommended for those who have weak hearts and don't like scenes with graphic and disturbing violence. This is definitely a classic that will always be around in the fine world of cinema. -Michael Crane
Cape Fear Box Set [1961 and 1991]
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • J. LeeThompson effortlessly outshines Scorsese in an uneven double-bill
  • Fabulous
Cape Fear Box Set [1961 and 1991]
Starring: Robert Mitchum , Gregory Peck , Polly Bergen , Martin Balsam , and Robert De Niro
Director: J. Lee Thompson , and Martin Scorsese
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AM74X
Release Date: 2003-08-11
Cape Fear Box Set [1961 and 1991]

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars J. LeeThompson effortlessly outshines Scorsese in an uneven double-bill.......2008-01-12

Simple question: who is the better director, Martin Scorsese or J. Lee Thompson? The answer might seem glaringly obvious, but Scorsese's often outright embarrassingly overwrought remake of Cape Fear showed that when it came to genre pictures, Scorsese wasn't even a runner up.

J. Lee Thompson's 1962 version of Cape Fear may not be a masterpiece, but in every way it's a superior thriller to Martin Scorsese's horribly misjudged remake. More surprisingly, it's also much nastier even with the heavier censorship of the day - Robert Mitchum's treatment of Polly Bergen in the last reel is startlingly violent and disturbing even now and its still shocking to see an early 60s film that revolves around sex crimes. There's no doubt exactly what's on Mitchum's mind, whether he's eyeing up a pickup in a bar or breaking an egg in his fist and smearing the yolk over the mother's shoulders and neck: like a lazy reptile waiting to casually catch a fly with his tongue, he merely has to look at Gregory Peck's underage daughter to exude menace. Where the remake offered a dysfunctional family forced to come together, the original offers something much more anarchic, as Gregory Peck's Mr Civil Liberties gradually comes to realize that the only way to protect his All-American family from Mitchum's strutting lizard-like vengeful ex-con is play dirty himself and plan his murder using his own daughter as bait. He may be playing another small-town southern lawyer, but he's is as far way from Atticus Finch as Mitchum's seedy, cocky but thoroughly self-aware Max Cady is from his self-deluding self-righteous `preacher' Harry Powell.

While Mitchum and Peck occupy centre-stage, James Webb's tight script ensures the supporting cast make a strong impression too as they usher Peck further down the path to murder: Martin Balsam's sympathetic police chief who'll bend the law a little to harass an ex-con for a solid citizen, Telly Savalas (with hair) as a pragmatic private eye who is not above calling in as little help from the wrong side of tracks and Jack Kruschen, not playing Jewish for a change, as Cady's mouthpiece who knows just how to use the law to protect the guilty. Aided immensely by Samuel Leavitt's menacing black and white photography and Bernard Herrmann's dramatically sinister score, Thompson's direction is right on target throughout: he may not have been one of the great directors, but he knew how to tell a story without losing the characters along the way, and he's at the top of his game here. It may not be quite a classic, but it is a strikingly effective thriller, albeit an undeniably nasty one.

Unusually for a film of the period, this boasts a surprisingly excellent DVD, with a good widescreen black and white transfer and plenty of extras, from a half hour documentary (though sadly only Thompson and Peck contribute, with Mitchum notably absent), production notes, a well-designed stills montage and the original theatrical trailer.

Where Thompson delivered a good pulp thriller that knew how to do its job and did it well, Scorsese delivered an hyperactive exercise in over the top camerawork, crude editing, and, in Robert De Niro's laughably comic cuts loon, horribly overindulged performances. But his performance is just indicative of the constant overkill that Scorsese brings to the picture. Why have the villain merely sodomise a woman as he did in the original when he can bite her cheek off as well? Why have him settle for love and hate on his knuckles when you can cover his body in "Look, I'm a psycho who's read the violent bits in the Bible too many times" tattoos? And why not add pinups of Stalin and the odd mass-murderer in his cell just to underline it that bit more? Why kill only one supporting character when you can kill two and cover the floor with their blood? Why save the florid camerawork for the big dramatic scenes where it will have more impact when you can make every minor shot look like a crashing climax to a grand opera? Why not signpost his intentions for the underage daughter in virtual 40-foot high neon letters by having him try to seduce her in grandma's fairytale cottage on the school stage just in case we don't get all the Big Bad Wolf references?

Wesley Strick's screenplay does a good job of updating the tale of Nick Nolte's lawyer and his dysfunctional family being stalked by the former client he did less than his best to keep out of jail for the Fatal Attraction era, and with another, more commercially savvy director this could have worked well as a genre film (it was originally intended as a Spielberg picture) but Scorsese has no idea how to build suspense or atmosphere as he crashes through the material like a bull elephant on speed in a china shop. Yet even his misguided directorial flourishes pale into insignificance next to De Niro's horribly misjudged performance as the vengeful bogeyman, inspired more by Robert Mitchum's character in Night of the Hunter than the one he played in the original film. Where Mitchum merely had to look at Gregory Peck's underage daughter to exude menace in the original, De Niro throws in an absurd Deep Frahyed Sowvan acsunt and a series of ridiculous mannerisms and outrageous facial gurning that even Robert Newton's Long John Silver at his most inebriated might have thought too much, turning his character into more of a cartoon clown than his Fearless Leader in Rocky and Bullwinkle. While with his subsequent semi-comatose performances there's some novelty value in seeing him go all-out, there's no threat or tension from his indestructible killer, no matter how much the film amps up the violence from the original (which had censorship problems of its own back in 1962).

Jessica Lange seems at times to think she's in a school production of a Tennessee Williams play (you almost expect her to say "Ah hayve always relahed on tha psychosis of strayngahs") and delivers much of her dialogue as if it were a breathing exercise, but Nolte and Juliette Lewis fare better, though it's Joe Don Baker who steals what little there is in the film worth stealing by being one of the few in the cast to rein his performance in. The cameos from original stars Robert Mitchum (cashing the check with consummate disinterested professionalism), Gregory Peck (perhaps making his reluctance to appear known through his over-the-top turn as an outraged old school Gentleman of tha Sowth lawyer) and Martin Balsam (wasted in a nothing part as a judge) only serve to remind you how much better the 1962 version was. Neither thrilling nor bad movie fun, this just gets increasingly tiresome. Still, you have to give them marks for having the chutzpah to tip the audience off that De Niro's character is insane by showing him laughing at Problem Child, and, it has to be said, were it not for this movie we'd probably never have had one of the funniest episodes of The Simpsons ever, Cape Feare - or the excellent DVD extras package for the first film.

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous.......2007-07-23

Both these films are worth getting, but as a double bill this becomes a great purchase. If anything the original film is the better of the two, but don't under-estimate Scorcese's remake, its a powerful film in its own right, but just a little over the top.

Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum star in the original 1961 version, and Scorcese gave them both small roles in the remake. Nick Nolte and Robert DeNiro star in the remake. DeNiro worked out seriously for this role, and although aged 49 at the time, when you watch the opening scene (the last to be filmed) you can see he was in tremendous shape. He was working out for hours every day before filming. The main difference between the two films is that in the original version the Bowden family are basically 'good' and Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) is 'evil'. In the remake this is much less clear cut, and the family have problems. Cady is also given some legal basis for being unhappy with Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) in the remake, although this is no justification for his actions of course.

Its worth mentioning Bernard Herrmanns teriffic score which was adapted for the remake as well. If Hitchcock had had the chance he would have used this, its very sinister, with a memorable hook.

There is a bonus disc with the 1991 version. This contains a documentary, deleted scenes etc etc. The original version also has a similar number of extras as well.
Cape Fear Box Set [1961 and 1991] [1962]
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Frightening story of revenge
  • The scene that had a strong emotional affect on me!
  • 2 Classic films ..!
  • Two efficient thrillers
  • "Brilliant" a fantastic performance by Robert De Niro!
Cape Fear Box Set [1961 and 1991] [1962]
Starring: Gregory Peck , Robert Mitchum , Polly Bergen , Lori Martin , and Martin Balsam
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005O7QL
Release Date: 2003-08-11
Cape Fear Box Set [1961 and 1991] [1962]

Amazon.co.uk Review

The original 1962 version of Cape Fear is directed by J Lee Thompson (The Guns of Navarone) in a deliberately Hitchcockian manner, and stars Robert Mitchum as a creepy ex-con angry at the attorney (Gregory Peck) whom he believes is responsible for his incarceration. After Mitchum makes clear his plans to harm Peck's family, a fascinating game of crisscrossing ethics and morality takes place. Superior to Martin Scorsese's punishing 1991 remake, which seems trapped in its explicitness, Thompson's film accomplishes a lot with a more economical and telling use of violence. The result is a rich character study that explores the nature of guilt.

Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake dabbles a bit in some fascinating psychological crosscurrents between its characters, but it finally trades in all that rich material for extensive and gratuitous violence. Robert De Niro plays a serial rapist released from prison after 14 years. Angry because his appalled attorney (Nick Nolte) made it easy for him to be convicted, this monster is out to hurt Nolte's character through his wife (Jessica Lange) and daughter (Juliette Lewis). The themes of interlocking guilt and anger between these people suggests a smart film in the making. But the final act, set on a boat with De Niro's vengeful pervert attacking Nolte and the two women, takes a more unfortunate direction. The stars of the original film, Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck, each make a cameo appearance. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Frightening story of revenge.......2005-05-19

The intense 1962 thriller stars Gregory Peck as Sam Bowden, a lawyer who is stalked by ex-con Max Cady (Robert Mitchum). It seems Peck withheld evidence in Cady's trial, and by doing so, helped send him to prison for years. Now Cady's out, and wants to get even by hurting Sam's wife (Polly Bergen) and daughter. They hide in a house boat moored in Cape Fear, knowing Cady will do anything to get revenge.

Gregory Peck is outstanding as the dedicated attorney and desperate family man. Mitchum is so creepy and slimy in this film you'll be breathless watching his performance, which surely is one of his best. Every ounce of him seethes with hatred and evil. Polly Bergen and Lori Martin, as the daughter, are convincingly terrified as the ex-con gets closer and closer.

This version of the film is better than the remake, thanks to the fine acting of the stars and a script that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you like chilling movies, you'll love Cape Fear.

4 out of 5 stars The scene that had a strong emotional affect on me!.......2005-03-29

I have recently viewed 'Cape Fear' as I am currently studying it in media studies. I was impressed with the acting especially Robert De Niro's performance, he fitted the role of psychopath Max Cady perfectly. There is no doubt about the fact that he stole the show. I particulary taken with the scene where Cady burdens upon the teenage daughter Danielle, (Juliette Lewis)who's part in this scene was spectaular. She played a teenager curious of the mysterious chracter that has embelished himself upon her family. She has a bond with him as she see's someone who indeed pays a lot of attention to the her father, mother and of course herself. He wants to know everything about her and is clearly taken with her. she feels an emotional bond with him and drawn to his charms, this scene which is set at her high school theatre depicts the teenagers personal thoughts and feelings towards this man (cady), this is something that is not previously looked out so naturally it intrests the audiences to be informed of the victims true reactions when faced with someone whom they are fully aware that they are a danger to them. This scene intrested me in many ways it physically highlights cady's reaction when he is in contact with a younger girl. this is highly significant as throughtout the film the audience are aware that he is a convict who was sentanced to prison for 14 years for raping and battering a 16 year old girl. So his contact with Danielle refers back to this information as she is relativly the same age as his previous victims. The scene where he approches her causes the audiences to wonder for the sake of the chracters safety. We have slight doubts that perhaps he may attack her and suspence and tension stirs amoung us. Overall i found the film a storyline which highlights the distress and fear caused between a family, it also shows the strong bond between a father and a convict. it was effective in itself because the chracters made us feel for them. The performances were of high standard. The only weakness and flaw of the film was the last scenes, they let the storyline down. An idea to pull off a successful ending would perhaps to have kept the family in their original home location as this is where a marjority of the film is set. The sudden change becomes somewhat confusing and a little rush. However i was not completly turned off by the ending as i did still enjoy the film. The rest of the plot made up entirly for the downfall of the end.

The only thing i did not understand was why is was titled 'cape fear' when the characters only just moved to the destined location in the last 15 mins of the film. I thought perhaps a good relevant title would be, 'The Killers Kiss' or 'Seductive Fear'

5 out of 5 stars 2 Classic films ..!.......2002-12-21

It is always a matter of debate as to the quality of remakes, Psycho, Dracula, Night of the Living Dead etc. and Cape Fear is no exception. Where it differs from the other remakes is that Scorsese's 1991 version is, in my opinion, better than the original; on this box set you get the chance to make up your own mind.

The 1962 version is a reflection of the time with Sam Bowden and his perfect family unit at risk from the unwanted attention of Max Cady, a psychopathic rapist who was jailed on the strength of Bowden's testimony. Robert Mitchum plays Cady superbly, his performance reminds you of the acting masterclass he gave in Night of the Hunter. You feel contempt for Cady with complete sympathy for the helplessness of the situation that Sam Bowden and his family are in.

Martin Scorcese slightly changes and updates the story for the 1991 version. Gone in the squeaky clean Sam Bowden, Nick Nolte plays a womanising lawyer who buried a court report in Robert de Niro's (Cady) trial, evidence that may have got Cady a lesser charge. You feel no sympathy for this Sam Bowden, and this movie has no heroes. As J. Lee Thompson's 1962 version was a reflection of 60's society, the 1991 version is a reflection on 90's society, with amarriage on the rocks and a headstrong daughter who even meets Cady.

Scorcese's version plays on more levels than the original, with tensions between husband and wife and daughter and parents and it is for this reason, as well as de Niro's portrayal of Max Cady that I prefer the 1991 version.

Bernard Hermann's score runs the tempo of both films and is crucial in maintaining the terror, keeping your heart in your throat and making the time run unbearingly slowly.

The extras are good, with the making of both movies, deleted scenes, theatrical trailers for both movies, production notes for both and a behind the scenes featurette from the 1991 movie.

Highly recommended.

3 out of 5 stars Two efficient thrillers.......2002-11-01

Cape Fear (1962) sees Gregoy Peck's lawyer Sam Bowden and his family taunted by the creepy Max Cady, a sex offending criminal who wants revenge on Bowden, after Bowden posed as a witness against Cady. However, not only does Cady harrass the Bowden family, he does it infuiratingly within the law, not leaving an opening for an arrest. Bowden decides that he has to take the law into his own hands, and stop Cady once and for all. This is a classic movie, and whilst not the greatest thriller of all time, still a gem. This plays in a low key tone, feeling much like a B movie - the stark black and white photography really captures the mood. Robert Mitchum's squinty eyed villain is mystrious, cruel, deadly - the way he taunts Bowden, his straight-up, almost misoginistic view of women, his squinted eyes, all add up. There is a genuine sense of dread in Bowden's perfect family, his happy wife his young, innocent daughter, and he - the squeaky-clean lawyer - all feel the pressure. However, there is speculation within the family, as they are too perfect. Well written, well directed and well acted thriller, pretty low key; this movie takes it's time to build up the tension.

Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake is a completey different interpretation of the story - here Cady is a Southern, hillbilly-like, Bible-spurtin' psycho, who stalks (again within the limits) Sam Bowden's just as corrupt family. Here, Bowden isn't squeaky clean - he was Cady's lawyer, and there had played dirty, he had cheated on his wife, he is completely opposing to Peck's earlier incarnation. This is a much more vibrant and visually striking film, using a visual style which would be taken to a much further extreme by Oliver Stone in his 'Natural Born Killers'. This is Scorsese's attempt at a psychological thriller, and proved to be his most succesful film financially. This feels like a comic book strip, the villain feels indestructable, near immortal (emhasised in the bizarre ending) - the colour scheme is excessive, the violence is gratuitous, yet watchable. However, it is the last fifeen minutes that knock this movie down slightly - it is still fitting, yes, just felt different, cut off. Martin Scorsese is an amazing director - my personal favourite - a man who can't really make bad films, and even his lesser are still easily watachable.

Two good thrillers, of two different era's and moods, yet sill both enjoyable, and highly watchable.

5 out of 5 stars "Brilliant" a fantastic performance by Robert De Niro!.......2002-01-17

The 1962 original Cape Fear was a classic of it's own staring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, and Polly Bergen, But then came along Robert De Niro'Who played Cady and his after a little revenge" You will be glued to your sets as this talented actor goes through his motions in this updated version of Cape Fear! Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange also star.

This is a box set given it great value for money.

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  4. Carry On Teacher [1959]
  5. Casablanca : The Movie & More (2 Disc Special Edition) [1942]
  6. Casque D'Or [1952]
  7. Charade [1963]
  8. Charlie Chaplin - The Great Dictator [1940]
  9. Cleopatra (3 Disc Special Edition) [1963]
  10. Coronation Street : The 1960's (10 Disc Box Set)

DVD List

DVD