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Martin Scorsese’s Cape Fear (1991)
A sadistic ex-con terrorizes a lawyer and his family in the 1991 movie classic Cape Fear. Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte star.
Image courtesy Universal Pictures
Director Martin Scorsese’s harrowing story of revenge comes to life in this stunning remake of 1962’s Cape Fear. Robert De Niro plays the vengeful ex-con, with Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis along for the terrifying ride.
John D. MacDonald’s The Executioners
Cape Fear is based on the 1958 novel The Executioners by noted mystery writer John D. MacDonald (1916-1986). Published by Simon & Schuster, the 215-page novel – originally priced at $3.50 – tells the story of a successful lawyer, his wife and three children who are menaced by an ex-GI rapist whom the attorney helped to convict 13 years ago.
The Original Cape Fear (1962)
Director J. Lee Thompson and Universal-International Pictures filmed the first movie version of The Executioners in 1962 under the title Cape Fear. The picture starred Gregory Peck (Sam Bowden), Robert Mitchum (Max Cady), Polly Bergen (Peggy Bowden), Lori Martin (Nancy Bowden), Martin Balsam (Mark Dutton) and Telly Savalas (Charles Sievers).
Cape Fear Is Remade in 1991
Cape Fear returned in 1991 as a graphic remake from director Martin Scorsese and Universal Pictures. Wesley Strick, updating the original 1962 screenplay by James R. Webb, wrote the script, which encompassed an incredible 24 drafts. Elmer Bernstein provided the movie’s haunting music score in an arrangement utilizing Bernard Hermann’s original 1962 composition.
Interestingly, it was Steven Spielberg – and not Scorsese – who had originally been selected to direct Cape Fear.
Robert De Niro Heads Cape Fear Cast
Robert De Niro stars as the psychotic, Bible-quoting ex-jailbird Max Cady. As was his usual custom, De Niro plunged into the role, paying a dentist $5,000 to “white trash” his teeth. Vegetable dyes – designed to fade (thankfully) after several months – were used to decorate De Niro’s body with a host of garish tattoos. Also, the actor engaged in an intense exercise regimen, reportedly reducing his body fat content to a mere three percent.
Joining De Niro in the cast are Nick Nolte (Sam Bowden), Jessica Lange (Leigh Bowden), Juliette Lewis (Danielle Bowden), Joe Don Baker (Claude Kersek), Robert Mitchum (Lt. Elgart), Gregory Peck (Lee Heller), Martin Balsam (Judge), Fred Thompson (Tom Broadbent), Illeana Douglas (Lori Davis) and Zully Montero (Gaciella).
Originally considered for various roles in the movie were Harrison Ford, Kevin Kline and Robert Redford (Sam Bowden), George C. Scott (Lt. Elgart), Bill Murray (Max Cady) and Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon and Phoebe Cates (Danielle Bowden).
Cape Fear Filmed in Florida and Georgia
Budgeted at a healthy $35 million, Cape Fear was filmed in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. The climactic swamp scene was shot at John U. Lloyd State Park in south Florida.
Max Cady: You’re Gonna Learn About Loss
Cape fears begins with a narration by 15-year-old Danielle “Dani” Bowden, setting the stage for when “the magic would end, and real life would come crashing in” on her family’s small-town existence.
The scene shifts to convicted rapist Max Cady, whose muscular upper body is festooned with an array of crude jailhouse tattoos. After 14 years, Cady is being released from prison, with revenge against his former lawyer now his overriding goal in life.
Cady returns to New Essex, Georgia, where he directs his terror campaign at attorney Sam Bowden and his family. “You’re gonna learn about loss,” the ex-con tells his former defense lawyer.
With law enforcement unable to help, Sam turns to private investigator Claude Kersek, who hires three men to perform “a little hospital job” on Cady using two pieces of steel pipe and a motorcycle chain. The ambush, however, goes awry, with Cady firmly back into the Bowdens’ lives.
When private eye Kersek and their maid Graciella are found murdered inside the Bowden home during a stakeout, Sam and his family flee to their houseboat on Cape Fear. But hot on their trail is the maniacal Max Cady, whose plans for an Old Testament revenge will finally come to fruition on the North Carolina river.
Cape Fear Release, Reviews
Cape Fear sailed into movie theaters on November 13, 1991.
“…A new high in audience-friendly sadism,” opined Vincent Canby of The New York Times (11/13/91).
“Starting with Robert De Niro’s portrait of pure, insinuating evil as Cady, Cape Fear sets out to fry our nerves to a frazzle,” reported Peter Travers of Rolling Stone (11/28/91).
Cape Fear Box Office, Awards/Honors, DVD
- Cape Fear grossed $77.31 million at the box office, placing #14 on the list of the top moneymaking films of 1991.
- Cape Fear garnered two Academy Award nominations: Best Actor (De Niro) and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Lewis).
- Max Cady, who tells Sam Bowden that he may relocate to California where “I could teach earthquake preparedness,” occupies the #28 position on the American Film Institute’s 2003 list of the top 50 movie villains of all time.
- On DVD: Cape Fear (Universal, 2005).
“Granddaddy used to handle snakes in church, Granny drank strychnine. I guess you could say I had a leg up, genetically speaking,” Max Cady declares.
Yeah, some people are just born lucky…
