Directed by Martin Scorsese

Starring Robert DeNiro, Nick Nolte, Juliette Lewis, Jessica Lange, Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck (in his final film)

Synopsis: “A convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a 14 year sentence, stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him.”

Really gripping, suspense-wise, and some great performances. DeNiro’s Max Cady is especially creep. Style-wise it may be a bit over-the-top, but for me it worked because it looks like Scorsese was having so much fun tackling a movie that was so different than anything he had done before.

I was a little distracted by Scorsese’s choice to have composer Elmer Bernstein reuse, Bernard Hermann’s score from the original Cape Fear (1962). Though this probably has more to do with the amazing Simpsons episode (which also uses that older score) than it feeling completely outdated.

It’s Scorsese. Obviously it’s at least worth a watch.

Interesting facts:

-According to IMDB, it was originally supposed to be directed by Steven Spielberg, but he couldn’t do it anymore, he personally called Scorsese to take over. And it took months to convince Scorsese that this was worth his time.

-Two Hitchcock collaborators contributed to the film, composer Bernard Hermann (who did the score for Psycho amongst others indirectly, and Saul Bass who designed the credit sequence here (as well as many for Hitchcock, including Vertigo)

-Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum were the leads in the original Cape Fear, in the Nick Nolte and Robert DeNiro roles, respectively.