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Cape Fear (1962) Movie Review Summary

Actors: Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Telly Savalas

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Cape Fear (1962)


After being released from prison after 8 years, a criminal, Max, begins stalking Sam, the lawyer that put him away, and his family. He fixates on Sam's daughter, Nancy. At first, he just watches and follows them, but as things progress he poisons their dog.
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One night, Max picks up a girl in a bar and beats her.
Sam and the cops think they've got Max now, but the girl won't press charges.
Sam offers Max money to leave town, but Max refuses to leave. He also hires thugs to beat Max up, but that doesn't stop him either.
Sam takes his family up river and hides his wife in a houseboat and his daughter in a cabin while he travels for a hearing. However, knowing that Max would go after his family, Sam doubles back to the boat and brings a cop along. Sam and the cop hide along the river while another cop leads Max to the boat and into a trap.
Max waits until dark to make his move. He spots the cops and realizes what's happening. He quietly kills the cops, climbs aboard the boat and cuts it loose, leaving Sam behind.
Sam gives chase until the boat gets caught on some brush.
Having gotten Sam away from Nancy, Max sneaks off the boat, returns to the cabin and drags Nancy into the woods.
Sam catches up to them and he and Max fight. When Max has the upper hand, Sam hits him with a rock and retrieves a gun he lost in the struggle. However, instead of killing Max he lets him live so he can spend the rest of his life in prison.
The review of this Movie prepared by Brandon Swenson




A convict (Max Cady) has just been released from prison after serving eight years for rape and battery. He blames Sam Bowden, a successful lawyer and family man, for his prison time. Max Cady starts to stalk Sam Bowden and his family. At first Bowden thinks that Cady is just trying to annoy him, but after Cady poisons the family dog and stalks Sam's daughter at school,Bowden begins to realize that Cady is out for revenge.
The review of this Movie prepared by alex nicoll




Sam Bowden (Peck) is a small town attorney, living a quiet life with his wife and daughter until Max Cady (Mitchum) reappears. Cady was sent to prison by Bowden. He wants to destroy Bowden and his life – he thinks terrorizing the entire family will be just revenge for the damage Cady suffered while imprisoned and some compensation for the disruption of his life. Will Bowden do anything to protect his family from this ex-con?

A film noir classic. Perhaps you might be more familiar with the 1991 release. This is the original. Based on the John D. MacDonald thriller.

The review of this Movie prepared by ldpaulson



Script Analysis of Cape Fear (1962)

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Actual chase scenes or violence 26.7%Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 33.3%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40% Time/Era of Movie:    -   1930's-1950's Crime & Police Story?    -   Yes Crime story:    -   hunted by killer/stalker Criminal enemy is...    -   bad vigilante getting revenge

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   a lawyer creature Age:    -   40's-50's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White (American)

Setting

United States    -   Yes Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   non-gory references to death/punishment Kind of violence:    -   hand to hand Any profanity?    -   None Is this movie based on a    -   book

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