Cape Fear
Seen it?1991 | 128 min | Drama, Crime, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
People are still talking about it and it made about 5 times its budget. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Sleepers or Cape Fear, start here.
- The mood
- Tense and unsettling, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 8 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
75% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$182 million worldwide on a $35 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 1.6 million people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Sleepers
Saturday SpecialAlso stars Robert De Niro, in another prison crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
Cape Fear Saturday SpecialAlso stars Robert Mitchum, in another legal crime drama that flew under the radar.
The Whisper Man Sunday Safe BetAlso stars Robert De Niro, in another detective crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey Sunday Safe BetAnother detective crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Chinatown
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed detective crime thriller.
Cast & crew
Directed by Martin Scorsese
- Nick NolteSam Bowden
- Robert De NiroMax Cady
- Jessica LangeLeigh Bowden
- Juliette LewisDanielle Bowden
- Joe Don BakerClaude Kersek
- Robert MitchumLieutenant Elgart
- Gregory PeckLee Heller
- Martin BalsamJudge
- Illeana DouglasLori Davis
- Fred ThompsonTom Broadbent