Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by AudioHead on September 11, 1999 at 10:41:41:

The original "Cape Fear" was made in released in 1962; featuring Gregory
Peck as the small-town lawyer, Sam Bowden; Polly Bergen as his wife, Peggy,
and Lori Martin as daughter; Robert Mitchum plays the bad guy, Max Cady;
Martin Balsam as police chief, Edward Platt as Judge, and a hair-laden
Telly Savalas as a local private investigator. Filmed in B&W, and based
on John MacDonald's novel, "The Executioners". Directed by Lee Thompson.
Basically a revenge story, with Cady seeking payback on Peck and family
because Peck (a former prosecutor) sent him to prison on assault and rape
charges, Cady perceived ethical misconduct on Peck's part in the trial. Strong performances, especially by Peck and Mitchum, good suspense, tension
and pace; several terrifying scenes throughout the movie. Excellent film.
The remake was released around 1991 I believe; featuring Nick Nolte as Bowden, Jessica Lang as his wife and Julliette Lewis as their daughter;
Robert DeNiro plays Cady, while Balsam fills in as Judge, Mitchum acts
the police chief, Peck reappears as Cady's lawyer and Joe Don Baker takes
the role of PI. Directed by Martin Scoresese.
While the remake is considerably more graphically violent, and DeNiro delivers his usual solid performance under Scoresese, I feel the weak point
is Nolte's performance, he just doesn't come through with the authority of
Peck and the vital chemistry is thus missing between him and DeNiro; OTOH,
Peck and Mitchum's characters bounce vividly well off each other.
Another weakness in characterization, but a somewhat interesting slant is
Lewis' role, she comes across as a saucy little tart who is simultaneously
attracted and repulsed by the psychopathic, but charming Cady; IMO, Martin,
as the fragile innocent doe provided more contrast, thus an ultimately more
tense and believeable performance
vis-a-vis Cady. I must say Lewis gave a fine, interesting performance
however, and actually may have required more finesse than Martins.
While the remake does have its strong points and is a riveting movie at
times, in the final analysis, the orginal gets my vote as the better of the
two. - AH