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Cape Fear

Cape Fear

Thriller · Drama · Crime · 1962

Sam Bowden witnesses a rape committed by Max Cady and testifies against him. When released after 8 years in prison, Cady begins stalking Bowden and his family but is always clever enough not to violate the law.

Movie details

Cape Fear

“Now he had only one weapon left—murder!”

1962 Thriller · Drama · Crime 1h 46m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

Sam Bowden witnesses a rape committed by Max Cady and testifies against him. When released after 8 years in prison, Cady begins stalking Bowden and his family but is always clever enough not to violate the law.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Cape Fear?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Cape Fear

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All the Devils Are Here

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

J. Lee Thompson

Written by

James R. Webb

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck

Sam Bowden

Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum

Max Cady

Polly Bergen

Polly Bergen

Peggy Bowden

Martin Balsam

Martin Balsam

Police Chief Mark Dutton

Lori Martin

Lori Martin

Nancy Bowden

Jack Kruschen

Jack Kruschen

Attorney Dave Grafton

Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas

Private Detective Charles Sievers

Court is in session

Put Cape Fear on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.