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Alaston pelko

Original title: Primal Fear
  • 1996
  • K-14
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
234K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
253
514
Richard Gere in Alaston pelko (1996)
Trailer
Play trailer2:28
6 Videos
65 Photos
CrimeDramaMystery

An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.

  • Director
    • Gregory Hoblit
  • Writers
    • William Diehl
    • Steve Shagan
    • Ann Biderman
  • Stars
    • Richard Gere
    • Laura Linney
    • Edward Norton
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    234K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    253
    514
    • Director
      • Gregory Hoblit
    • Writers
      • William Diehl
      • Steve Shagan
      • Ann Biderman
    • Stars
      • Richard Gere
      • Laura Linney
      • Edward Norton
    • 391User reviews
    • 86Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 10 wins & 12 nominations total

    Videos6

    Primal Fear
    Trailer 2:28
    Watch Primal Fear
    Primal Fear
    Trailer 2:29
    Watch Primal Fear
    Primal Fear
    Clip 0:59
    Watch Primal Fear
    Primal Fear
    Clip 0:46
    Watch Primal Fear
    Primal Fear
    Clip 0:44
    Watch Primal Fear
    Primal Fear
    Clip 0:54
    Watch Primal Fear

    Photos65

    Richard Gere, Maura Tierney, and Andre Braugher in Alaston pelko (1996)
    Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, and Terry O'Quinn in Alaston pelko (1996)
    On the set of "Primal Fear"
    Drew Barrymore and Courtney Love at an event for Alaston pelko (1996)
    Richard Gere and Carey Lowell at an event for Alaston pelko (1996)
    Richard Gere and Carey Lowell at an event for Alaston pelko (1996)
    Courtney Love at an event for Alaston pelko (1996)
    Kyle MacLachlan at an event for Alaston pelko (1996)
    Drew Barrymore, Courtney Love, and Eric Erlandson at an event for Alaston pelko (1996)
    Richard Gere in Alaston pelko (1996)
    Richard Gere in Alaston pelko (1996)
    Richard Gere in Alaston pelko (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Gere
    Richard Gere
    • Martin Vail
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Janet Venable
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Aaron…
    John Mahoney
    John Mahoney
    • Shaughnessy
    Alfre Woodard
    Alfre Woodard
    • Shoat
    Frances McDormand
    Frances McDormand
    • Molly
    Terry O'Quinn
    Terry O'Quinn
    • Yancy
    Andre Braugher
    Andre Braugher
    • Goodman
    Steven Bauer
    Steven Bauer
    • Pinero
    Joe Spano
    Joe Spano
    • Stenner
    Tony Plana
    Tony Plana
    • Martinez
    Stanley Anderson
    Stanley Anderson
    • Rushman
    Maura Tierney
    Maura Tierney
    • Naomi
    Jon Seda
    Jon Seda
    • Alex
    Reg Rogers
    Reg Rogers
    • Connerman
    Kenneth Tigar
    Kenneth Tigar
    • Weil
    Brian Reddy
    Brian Reddy
    • Woodside
    Christopher Carroll
    • M.C.
    • Director
      • Gregory Hoblit
    • Writers
      • William Diehl
      • Steve Shagan
      • Ann Biderman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is Edward Norton's motion picture debut.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 19 mins) It is stated by several characters that a plea cannot be changed mid trial. However, it is entirely possible to change a plea before sentencing.
    • Quotes

      [last lines SPOILER]

      [while in a holding cell in the back of the courthouse]

      Roy: Mr. Vail?

      Martin Vail: Yeah?

      Roy: [stammering] Will you t-tell Miss Venable I'm sorry? Tell her I hope her neck is okay.

      Martin Vail: Yeah... I will.

      [begins walking away, then turns back]

      Martin Vail: Wait... What did you just say? What? You told me just a few minutes ago that you didn't remember. You blacked out. You "lost time" yet again. So, how do you know about her neck?

      Roy: [slow clapping sardonically; sneers] Well... good for you, Marty. I was going to let it go at that. You was looking so happy just now. I was thinking, hmmm God. But to tell you the truth, I'm glad you figured it out, because I have been dying to tell you. I just didn't know who you'd wanna hear it from, you know? Aaron or Roy... or Roy or Aaron. Well, I'll let you in on a little secret. A sort of a client-attorney-privilege type of a secret, you know what I mean? It don't matter who you hear it from. It's the same story.

      [stammering as Aaron]

      Roy: [in a southern accent] I j-j-just... had to kill Linda, Mr. Vail.

      [normal voice as Roy]

      Roy: That cunt just got what she deserved. But... cutting up that son of a bitch Rushman? That was just a fucking work of art.

      Martin Vail: You're good. You are really good.

      Roy: Yeah. I did get caught, though, didn't I?

      Martin Vail: So there never... there never was a Roy?

      Roy: Jesus Christ, Marty. If that's what you think, I am disappointed in you, I don't mind telling you. There never was an Aaron... counselor! Come on, Marty! I thought you had it figured, there at the end. The way you put me on the stand like that? That was fucking brilliant, Marty! And that whole thing like "act-like-a-man"? Jesus, I knew exactly what you wanted from me. It was like we were dancing, Marty!

      Martin Vail: Guard!

      Roy: [as Vail walks away] Oh come on, don't be like that, Marty. We did it, man. We fucking did it! We're a great team, you and me. You think I could've done this without you? You're just feeling a little angry here, because you started to care about old Aaron, I can understand that, but... you know, love hurts, Marty. What can I say? Hey, I'm just kidding, bud! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! What else was I supposed to do? Hey, you're gonna thank me down the road, because this is gonna toughen you right up, Martin Vail! You hear me? That's a promise!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Sgt. Bilko/Jack and Sarah/A Family Thing/Carried Away/From the Journals of Jean Seberg (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Introitus: Cibavit Eos
      by William Byrd

      Performed by The Voices of Christ Church Cathedral Choir

      Conducted by Stephen Darlington

      Courtesy of Nimbus Records

    User reviews391

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Not just another court room drama
    I was convinced that "Primal Fear" would be the type of courtroom drama that Hollywood seems to use to pave the streets with. You know what I mean: Someone gets wrongly accused of some mischief, he can't pay a lawyer, but of course there is one who is really interested in the case and he is prepared to defend the poor guy anyway. The defender finds some wholes in the police investigation or in the statement of the other party and knows to prove the innocence of his client and even get a big indemnity. Well, I was wrong, for once this was a courtroom drama that had a bit more to offer than the usual story line and twists. In fact, this was even a very enjoyable movie.

    Even though I'm not really a fan of Richard Gere (I'm not a woman, so no I don't like him because the way he looks, I only look at his acting), I have to admit that this time he really did a very good job as the slick, media-friendly, arrogant lawyer Martin Vail. Still, in my opinion the real star in this movie is Edward Norton. He's really excellent as the altar boy who is accused of murdering a Catholic bishop.

    For once the story isn't as predictable as usual. At first the case seems rather clear: an altar boy is running away from the home of the bishop, with blood all over his clothes. No doubt about it you think, he did it, case closed, next movie! But than the first interesting twist in the movie appears: Yes, he was at the murder scene, but he can't remember anything about the grisly murder, because at that exact moment he got a blackout. He's convinced that there was a third person in the room. That third person must have killed the bishop, he's innocent. His lawyer tries to prove the third man theory in the court room, but as the process comes nearer to the end, some new evidence will make everything a lot clearer and more interesting...

    As I already said, this movie is more than just worth a watch, thanks to the rather innovative story line and characters. For once, this movie didn't annoy me more than I could ever like it. That's already worth a lot, so I give it a well deserved 8/10.
    helpful•157
    28
    • philip_vanderveken
    • Jan 26, 2005

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    FAQ5

    • What is "Primal Fear" about?
    • Is "Primal Fear" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 24, 1996 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Primal Fear
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Rysher Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $56,116,183
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,871,222
      • Apr 7, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $102,616,183
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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