Cape Fear [DVD] [1961] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Gregory Peck is outstanding as the dedicated attorney and desperate family man. Mitchum is so creepy and slimy in this film you'll be breathless watching his performance, which surely is one of his best. Every ounce of him seethes with hatred and evil. Polly Bergen and Lori Martin, as the daughter, are convincingly terrified as the ex-con gets closer and closer.

This version of the film is better than the remake, thanks to the fine acting of the stars and a script that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you like chilling movies, you'll love Cape Fear.

The 1962 version is a reflection of the time with Sam Bowden and his perfect family unit at risk from the unwanted attention of Max Cady, a psychopathic rapist who was jailed on the strength of Bowden's testimony. Robert Mitchum plays Cady superbly, his performance reminds you of the acting masterclass he gave in Night of the Hunter. You feel contempt for Cady with complete sympathy for the helplessness of the situation that Sam Bowden and his family are in.

Martin Scorcese slightly changes and updates the story for the 1991 version. Gone in the squeaky clean Sam Bowden, Nick Nolte plays a womanising lawyer who buried a court report in Robert de Niro's (Cady) trial, evidence that may have got Cady a lesser charge. You feel no sympathy for this Sam Bowden, and this movie has no heroes. As J. Lee Thompson's 1962 version was a reflection of 60's society, the 1991 version is a reflection on 90's society, with amarriage on the rocks and a headstrong daughter who even meets Cady.

Scorcese's version plays on more levels than the original, with tensions between husband and wife and daughter and parents and it is for this reason, as well as de Niro's portrayal of Max Cady that I prefer the 1991 version.

Bernard Hermann's score runs the tempo of both films and is crucial in maintaining the terror, keeping your heart in your throat and making the time run unbearingly slowly.

The extras are good, with the making of both movies, deleted scenes, theatrical trailers for both movies, production notes for both and a behind the scenes featurette from the 1991 movie.

Highly recommended.

Cape Fear 1991: Time has moved on and Scorcese gives us in Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) a man clinging to what precious little idealism he has left. In the nineties this is little more than professionalism, cowardice and snivelling hope in the legal system to protect him. The all-American idyll is gone as Bowden has long since lost the respect of his all-American dysfunctional family. Cady (Robert De Niro) can now appear charismatic, both in terms of self-truth and superhuman strength. It's notable how the chase scene of the first film was replaced with the seduction of Bowden's daughter (Juliette Lewis) in the second. Scorcese brings back both Mitchum and Peck (though now on opposite sides of the confrontation) and Bernard Herrmann's (Psycho, Vertigo, Citizen Kane) music rearranged by Elmer Bernstein. Ever the cinematic magpie, it seems sometimes as if Scorcese is throwing everything at this film, especially Hitchcock references. Though this was occasionally distracting on first viewing it may prove more intriguing with repeated viewing.

That these two impressive films are presented together must be a tempting prospect for any film buff.