IMDb > Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear
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Primal Fear (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 31 | slideshow) Videos (see all 9)
Primal Fear (1996) -- A high profile lawyer defends a man accused of murdering an Archbishop
Primal Fear (1996) -- Clip: Not guilty
Primal Fear (1996) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   34,643 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
William Diehl (novel)
Steve Shagan (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Primal Fear on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 April 1996 (USA) more
Tagline:
Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real. more
Plot:
An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
Edward norton does an excellent job more (172 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Richard Gere ... Martin Vail

Laura Linney ... Janet Venable

John Mahoney ... Shaughnessy

Alfre Woodard ... Shoat

Frances McDormand ... Molly

Edward Norton ... Aaron

Terry O'Quinn ... Bud Yancy

Andre Braugher ... Tommy Goodman

Steven Bauer ... Joey Pinero

Joe Spano ... Abel Stenner
Tony Plana ... Martinez

Stanley Anderson ... Archbishop Rushman

Maura Tierney ... Naomi Chance

Jon Seda ... Alex
Reg Rogers ... Jack Connerman
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for brief grisly violence, pervasive strong language and a sex scene.
Runtime:
129 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This is Edward Norton's motion picture debut. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The blood at the scene of the murder (where Mr.Vail comes in some days after the murder), and the blood on Aaron's sneakers, shown in the court, should be brown, because some time has passed and blood coagulates. When blood coagulates it turns from red to brown. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Marty: On my first day of law school, my professor says two things. First was; "From this day forward, when your mother tells you she loves you - get a second opinion."
Jack Connerman: [chuckles] And?
Marty: "If you want justice, go to a whorehouse. If you wanna get fucked, go to court."
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Primal Fear: The Final Verdict (2009) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
77 out of 100 people found the following comment useful.
Edward norton does an excellent job, 9 November 2004
Author: Daniella smith from new york, new york

I had just gotten done seeing the movie Fight Club when a relative of mine said " If you like that movie, you'll like Primal Fear." I didn't believe him, because I had believed that Fight Club was the best movie on the face of the planet. Well, he just so happened to have a copy of Primal Fear with him. I watched it and was amazed. I was speechless.The movie has so many twists! I was convinced that it was one of the best movies I had ever seen. Gere's performance is average. I say this because it seems that in many movies he plays the same cocky character. Linney's monologue in the courtroom is mesmerizing . It was just great. And Norton? Well this may be one of his best performances ever. The fact that this was made during the starting of his acting career was unbelievable. It was a great film and Edward norton does an excellent job

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Primal Fear (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
This movie makes no sense without Aaron (Spoiler Alert) lily1225
Movies with big twists? sealforreal45
*SPOILERS* sorta.... Is it me or.......... ednortonfan1
soooooooooo unsexy sheppard330
What was the 'very bad thing' Vail did? fearandloathing155
Music tidypainter
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