Poster for Cape Fear

Cape Fear

1962, Mystery & thriller, 1h 45m

24 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

An exemplary thriller powered by Robert Mitchum's chilling performance and Bernard Herrmann's sinister score, Cape Fear seethes with perfectly modulated tension. Read critic reviews

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Cape Fear Photos

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Movie Info

After an eight-year prison sentence for rape, Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) targets Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck), one of the lawyers who sent him away. When Max finds Sam and his family, he begins a terrifying stalking spree, intending to ruin Sam's life. Desperate to protect his wife and daughter, Sam makes every effort to send Max back to jail. But when his attempts fail, Sam realizes that he must take matters into his own hands if he wants to rid his life of Max for good.
  • Genre:
    Mystery & thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    J. Lee Thompson
  • Producer:
    Sy Bartlett
  • Writer:
    John D. MacDonald, James R. Webb
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Universal International Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono
  • Aspect Ratio:
    35mm

Cast & Crew

Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Sam Bowden
Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum
Max Cady
Polly Bergen
Polly Bergen
Peggy Bowden
Lori Martin
Lori Martin
Nancy Bowden
Martin Balsam
Martin Balsam
Police Chief Mark Dutton
Jack Kruschen
Jack Kruschen
Dave Grafton
Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas
Charles Sievers
Barrie Chase
Barrie Chase
Diane Taylor
Paul Comi
Paul Comi
Garner
John McKee
John McKee
Officer Marconi
Page Slattery
Page Slattery
Deputy Kersek
Ward Ramsey
Ward Ramsey
Officer Brown
Edward Platt
Edward Platt
Judge
Will Wright
Will Wright
Dr. Pearsall
Joan Staley
Joan Staley
Waitress
Norma Yost
Norma Yost
Ticket clerk
Mack Williams
Mack Williams
Dr. Lowney
Thomas Newman
Thomas Newman
Lt. Pete Gervasi
Alan Reynolds
Alan Reynolds
Vernon
Herb Armstrong
Herb Armstrong
Waiter
J. Lee Thompson
J. Lee Thompson
Director
John D. MacDonald
John D. MacDonald
Writer
James R. Webb
James R. Webb
Screenwriter
Sy Bartlett
Sy Bartlett
Producer
Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann
Original Music
Sam Leavitt
Sam Leavitt
Cinematographer
George Tomasini
George Tomasini
Film Editing
Robert F. Boyle
Robert F. Boyle
Art Director
Alexander Golitzen
Alexander Golitzen
Art Director
Oliver Emert
Oliver Emert
Set Decoration
Mary Wills
Mary Wills
Costume Design
Virginia Darcy
Virginia Darcy
Hair Stylist
Frank Prehoda
Frank Prehoda
Makeup Artist
Thomas Tuttle
Thomas Tuttle
Makeup Artist
Ernest B. Wehmeyer
Ernest B. Wehmeyer
Production Manager
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News & Interviews for Cape Fear

Critical Consensus: "911" Is A (Mildly Funny) Joke; Count "23" Out
Critical Consensus: "911" Is A (Mildly Funny) Joke; Count "23" Out
Box Office Wrapup: Leo and Matt Face Off at #1 with The Departed
Box Office Wrapup: Leo and Matt Face Off at #1 with The Departed
View All

Critic Reviews for Cape Fear

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (1)
Full Review… Bosley Crowther New York Times Full Review… Nell Minow Movie Mom Full Review… Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Full Review… Janet Graves Photoplay Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… Bob Bloom Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Thomas Delapa Boulder Weekly
View All Critic Reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for Cape Fear

  • Oct 29, 2019
    Gripping melodrama that's produced to near perfection with the direction of J. Lee Thompson, the performance of Robert Mitchum, the cinematography of Sam Leavitt, and the score by Bernard Herrmann. The film has a Hitchcockian tone and in fact he was slated to direct and storyboarded the entire film but quit because of a dispute with the producer. Thompson, a big fan of Hitchcock, seems to pay homage to the filmmaker with this work.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • Aug 10, 2012
    Peck and Mitchum are great adversaries to one another, and I like that its a thriller that revolves around their characters opposing economic and social backgrounds as much as the endless cycle of vengeance and harassment between them. Bernard Herrmann's score is one for the ages.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 02, 2012
    It's not what he does ... it's what he may do. Mitchum gives elegance to one of the screen's worst creepy bad guys, conveying evil with his eyes, along with the screaming realization that he's gonna enjoy doing it. The battle between the forces of good versus the other has seldom been more clearly delineated.
    Super Reviewer
  • Jan 06, 2012
    This gets a near perfect score just from Robert Mitchum's performance along. My God, is that man made to play psychotics.
    John B Super Reviewer
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