BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Steineded How sad is this?

Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

HotToastyRag Cape Fear would have been the perfect film to release after To Kill a Mockingbird. In this one, Gregory Peck plays a successful and honorable lawyer, but one of the men he prosecuted and helped put in jail seeks revenge after his release. As it was, Cape Fear was released in April 1962, and the film that won Greg his Oscar was released Christmas of that year. You might want to rent both of them for a Peck-fest weekend, but depending on your point of view, either one could be watched first.If you liked Robert Mitchum's frightening performance in Night of the Hunter, you'll love him in this. And if you like Gregory Peck in roles with lots of integrity, you'll find no obstacle in rooting for him and his family in Cape Fear. If you like both those actors, it's a shoe-in that you'll enjoy this scary flick, even if you end up watching it from behind a pillow.This is a pretty spooky flick, especially because Mitchum is so charming. The charming bad guys are the worst, because part of you really wants to root for them—until they do something really bad, that is. And if you watch Robert Mitchum movies, you know he can be very bad when he wants to be! Cape Fear is a very dark thriller, even by today's standards, but it's far less gruesome than the 1991 remake. If you prefer your scary movies to be a little on the tamer side, I suggest you stick with 1962's Cape Fear and leave the remake to the pros.Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, it's pretty scary and a little creepy, so I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

R-D V What do we need to be happy? 2 things: 1.Purpose and, 2.Love. Sam Bowden has both until Max Cady comes to town. And then he faces what we, who are happy, most fear, loss. How do we cope with that primitive fear, the one all happy people hold and fight all their lives? We isolate ourselves, insulate, ignore, and, ultimately, attack. This story is as basic, as brutal, and as universal as any story can be, and it as relevant today as it will be fifty years from now. The book's author and the original director understand something that the director of the remake totally failed to grasp. The terror lies in the fact that the Bowdens did absolutely nothing to deserve it. Life, and that minority of the human race tagged as psychopathic, need no rational reason to hate and persecute.

Python Hyena Cape Fear (1962): Dir: J. Lee Thompson / Cast: Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Martin Balsam, Telly Savalas, Polly Bergen: Shocking thriller about the dwelling of fear and paranoia. Gregory Peck stars as a happily married lawyer whose life is interrupted when Max Cady re-enters his life. He was the testimonial witness that jailed Cady for eight years for abusing a young woman. Now Cady spies on Peck and his family, even going so far to stalk his daughter after school. He even poisons their dog but without any detection. Peck goes to the police but Cady remains just inside the law. Terrific setup that builds tension right up to its rousing climax. Director J. Lee Thompson delivers nail-biting results. Robert Mitchum portrays Cady as a repulsive animal who will stop at nothing short of retaliation. He remains a threat despite any odds thrown his way including three thugs hired to beat him up. Peck displays desperation as the threat nears. He ponders his resources even at the cost of the law, but will ultimately have to deal with this himself. The supporting roles lack greater dimension. Martin Balsam plays a police chief who issues standard advice, and Telly Savalas plays a detective who does the routine. Polly Bergen plays Peck's wife who is afraid for her husband and daughter and attempts to bring reason to the chaos. Shows fear in its extremes and our sacrifice of innocence to wash away its existence. Score: 7 ½ / 10

Wuchak The original 1962 version of "Cape Fear" is the same basic story as Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake with slight changes: Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) gets out of prison after over 8 years and proceeds to harass Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck) and his family (Polly Bergen and Lori Martin) because Bowden was instrumental in Cady's conviction. Telly Savalas (with hair) appears as the private detective that Bowden hires.While I prefer the 1991 version because it's more modern and compelling, not to mention in color, this version is worthwhile if you like the stars and can handle the style of old black & white movies. Peck is stalwart as the protagonist, as always.Mitchum plays Max Cady subtler than De Niro and he's just not as fascinating. De Niro's Cady steals the show and could've even been the protagonist if Scorsese had the gonads to take the movie in a completely different direction whereas Mitchum's Cady is mainly just annoying, until the last act, that is. As written and performed, De Niro's Cady has more dimension and mystique. In the first act he's almost the hero and you find yourself sorta rooting for him, at least until he turns decidedly diabolic. This isn't to say that Mitchum's Cady isn't effective; he's just outshined by De Niro's version.Barrie Chase plays a "party girl" that Cady (Mitchum) picks up at a bar. She's obviously infected by the "bad boy syndrome" in light of her statement to Cady (paraphrased): "I like you… (because) you're an animal – coarse, lustful and barbaric." Isn't that just so true to life? One highlight of the film is petite Lori Martin as Bowden's adorable daughter, Nancy. She was 14 during filming and wholly precious. Her last film was the trashy 1968 biker flick "The Angry Breed" wherein she was 20. After that, she only did a few more TV gigs before bowing out of acting altogether.Whereas the 1991 film is drama/thriller that morphs into almost slasher horror, this version is decidedly a drama with thriller elements. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as – like me – you like dramas and are prepped for such a picture. Unfortunately, the film seems padded as many scenes are unnecessarily long and could've been cut in half, not to mention the black & white photography limits its appeal.The film runs 105 minutes and was shot in Savannah, Georgia, and Ladd's Marina (near Stockton), CA.GRADE: B