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Cape Fear

1962

J. Lee Thompson

Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Lori Martin ...

7.5

9,441

Thriller. Drama Small-town lawyer Sam Bowden's life becomes torturous when Max Cady re-enters his life. Cady went to jail for 8 years after Bowden testified that Cady attacked a young woman. Now that Cady has been released, he begins to terrorize Bowden and his family, particularly targeting Bowden's daughter, Nancy. Initially, Cady uses his newfound knowledge of the law (learned in prison) to annoy the Bowdens, then poisons the family dog... Who's next? [+]

	Author	Review
United States	Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader	"This 1962 thriller is better than the Scorsese remake (...) though it's arguably still some distance from deserving its reputation as a classic."	NEU
United States	David Nusair Reel Film	"[Its] success is due almost entirely to Mitchum’s absolutely spellbinding turn as the vile antagonist (...) Thompson does a solid job of perpetuating the atmosphere of palpable danger (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"	POS
United States	Bosley Crowther The New York Times	"Technically, it's a good job. (...) a tough, tight script (...) Everything is sharp and direct. (...) But this is really one of those shockers that provokes disgust and regret. There seems to be no reason for it but to agitate anguish and a violent, vengeful urge"	NEU
United Kingdom	Time Out	"Thompson isn't quite skilful enough to give the film its final touch of class (...) the relentlessness of the story and Mitchum's tangibly sordid presence guarantee the viewer's quivering attention."	NEU
United Kingdom	Alan Jones Radio Times	"Great shocks increase the climactic suspense, with Mitchum giving a portrayal of villainy that's unforgettably vicious and sadistic (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Variety	"A competent and visually polished entry (...) There is nothing in the script or J. Lee Thompson’s direction which might provide audiences with some insight into Mitchum’s behavior."	NEU

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