Rent Primal Fear (1996)
3.9 of 5 from 135 ratings
2h 5min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Guilty? Innocent? Those questions aren't for high-powered Chicago attorney Marin Vail (Richard Gere) to decide. His job is to defend - especially if a case will put his name in the headlines and further his career. When Cail hears that a penniless altar boy (Edward Norton) is accused of murdering the local archbishop, he snaps up the case, eager for the media spotlight. Little does he know that it will uncover a viper's nest of corruption, pit him against a prosecutor (Laura Linney), who's his ex-lover, and test all his skill, judgment and even his win-at-any-cost attitude.
- Actors:
- Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Terry O'Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney, Jon Seda, Reg Rogers, Kenneth Tigar, Brian Reddy, Christopher Carroll, Wendy Cutler, Ron O.J. Parson
- Directors:
- Gregory Hoblit
- Producers:
- Gary Lucchesi
- Writers:
- William Diehl, Steve Shagan, Ann Biderman
- Studio:
- Paramount
- Genres:
- Drama, Thrillers
- Collections:
- Award Winners, BAFTA Nominations Competition 2025, Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Frances McDormand, Getting to Know: Laura Linney, Oscar Nominations Competition 2025, Top 10 Films With Voiceover Narration, Top 10 World Cinema Remakes, Top Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- Unknown
- Run Time:
- 130 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English, English Hard of Hearing, French, Portuguese, Spanish
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Commentary by Director Gregory Hoblit, Writer Ann Biderman, Producer Gary Lucchesi, Executive Producer Hawk Koch, and Casting Director Deborah Aquila
- Primal Fear: The Final Verdict
- Primal Fear: Star Witness-Casting Edward Norton
- The Psychology of Guilt
- Theatrical Trailer
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 25/03/2024
- Run Time:
- 130 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, French Parisian Dolby Digital 5.1, German Dolby Digital 5.1, Italian Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0
- Subtitles:
- Castillian, English, English Hard of Hearing, French Parisian, German, Italian, Japanese
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
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Reviews (2) of Primal Fear
Great plot - Primal Fear review by MP
Richard Gere plays the egotistical charming lawyer to perfection.
Edward Norton as the victim being defended ( his first film) is sensational.
Laura Linley as the prosecutor plays her part with great aplomb
The plot keeps you on your toes and moves along with good pace so 2 hours goes bye easily.
The extras at the end are also worth a watch.
Enjoy.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Solidly Entertaining Thriller - Primal Fear review by GI
A solid, entertaining courtroom/mystery thriller that sometimes feels a little clichéd but on the whole delivers a neat twist and turn plot and some good performances. Richard Gere plays publicity loving and cocksure defence attorney Marty Vail, who decides to defend a case because of its high profile and the kudos he knows it will bring him. The defendant is Aaron (Edward Norton), a Catholic alter boy, who is accused of brutally murdering the Archbishop but who claims he's innocent. Marty with his team decide to structure their case around Aaron's claim that a mysterious third man did the crime even though all the evidence points to Aaron. The prosecutor is Marty's former lover played brilliantly by Laura Linney. The trial reveals more sinister goings on than at first was evident. It's a well written film, capably directed and you have to wait patiently for the final reveal which is a little predictable mainly due to the standard plot devices typical of film's in this genre. Some of the side plots involving corruption aren't adequately finalised but on the whole this is a watchable drama with a star on top form.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.