Released in 1991, I would probably go as far as to say that Cape Fear is my favorite Martin Scorsese movie. This is actually a remake of a movie from the 60’s, a movie that I really need to get around to watching at some point. The thing is, I love this remake so much, and I have seen it so many times, I am not sure the original will have a chance with me, or perhaps a “fair trial” is the better way to look at it, given the movie we are talking about.
Where to Watch Cape Fear
Cape Fear was released on November 15, 1991. You can stream the film from a digital platform such as Amazon Prime Video.
The Movie Review
In addition to being my favorite Martin Scorsese movie, the character of Max Cady is up there as one of the best performances of Robert De Niro’s career. This is a tense thriller that has some hard-to-watch scenes, and even when you have seen it multiple times, as I have, it keeps you on edge. I think a huge part of this is the fantastic score that the movie has.
Max Cady is a complete psycho. Cady is on trial for rape, and his attorney, Nick Nolte’s Samuel Bowden, is his public defender, and he withholds some information, which could have gotten Cady a lesser sentence. Bowden was truly repulsed by what Cady did, and this is why he decided to hide that piece of key evidence. The result was Cady doing his full sentence.
While in prison, Cady actually educated himself, learned to read, and even represented himself to try to get out; in doing this, he learned of the hidden evidence by Bowden. Many years later, Cady is released from prison, after getting in great shape in there! Seriously, Robert De Niro got into phenomenal shape for his role, and that just makes Cady even more intimidating.
After all these years, Bowden is still working as a lawyer, living with his wife, Leigh, played by Jessica Lange, and his teenage daughter, Danny, played by the awesome Juliet Lewis. As you can see, Cape Fear has a fantastic cast, and this movie is actually notable for being the final role for the legendary Gregory Peck.
As soon as Cady gets out of prison, he only has one thing on his mind, and that is cold-blooded revenge. Cady heads to the lovely town where the Bowdens live, and he starts to stalk them. He always shows up where they are, and he even gets into Danny’s school and kisses her.
Bowden tries to hire some guys to put a beating on Cady, and that just shows us how savage Cady can be. Cady also assaults a woman that Bowden has a thing on the side with, and this is another scene that shows how evil Cady is! I honestly cannot praise the acting of Robert De Niro enough here, it must have been so intimidating for the people filming with him.
The movie just builds and builds until it all comes to a head in a very dramatic scene on the Bowdens boat. The first time you see this, you honestly wonder, just how the heck are they going to get out of it? I have seen Cape Fear many, many times and even though I always know how it ends, it still grips me, each time I watch it. There is a good 30th anniversary Blu-Ray release of Cape Fear, but as of writing, there is no 4K release.
Cape Fear Simpsons Parody Cape Feare
Before you go, we have to talk about the fantastic Simpsons parody of Cape Fear called Cape Feare from the fifth season. The Simpsons have done many great parodies over the years, but I would say Cape Feare is my favorite. The way that they parody so many of the iconic scenes is very well done.
Upcoming Cape Fear TV Show on Apple TV
Oh, one more thing, there is a Cape Fear TV show coming with Javier Bardem, Patrick Wilson, and Amy Adams in it, and it is one of the TV shows I am most excited for. From my understanding, it is being made as I write this, so I have high hopes that it could air at the end of 2026 or early 2027. The show is going to be an Apple TV exclusive.
