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    Primal Fear

    • 19961996
    • RR
    • 2h 9min
    IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    195K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,164
    164
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Richard Gere in Primal Fear (1996)
    Trailer
    Trailer2:28
    6 Videos
    62 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.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(novel)
      • Steve Shagan(screenplay)
      • Ann Biderman(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Richard Gere
      • Laura Linney
      • Edward Norton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Gregory Hoblit
    • Writers
      • William Diehl(novel)
      • Steve Shagan(screenplay)
      • Ann Biderman(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Richard Gere
      • Laura Linney
      • Edward Norton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 345User reviews
    • 78Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 10 wins & 12 nominations total

    Videos6

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

    Photos62

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

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Gere
    Richard Gere
    • Martin Vailas Martin Vail
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Janet Venableas Janet Venable
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Aaronas Aaron…
    John Mahoney
    John Mahoney
    • Shaughnessyas Shaughnessy
    Alfre Woodard
    Alfre Woodard
    • Shoatas Shoat
    Frances McDormand
    Frances McDormand
    • Mollyas Molly
    Terry O'Quinn
    Terry O'Quinn
    • Yancyas Yancy
    Andre Braugher
    Andre Braugher
    • Goodmanas Goodman
    Steven Bauer
    Steven Bauer
    • Pineroas Pinero
    Joe Spano
    Joe Spano
    • Stenneras Stenner
    Tony Plana
    Tony Plana
    • Martinezas Martinez
    Stanley Anderson
    Stanley Anderson
    • Rushmanas Rushman
    Maura Tierney
    Maura Tierney
    • Naomias Naomi
    Jon Seda
    Jon Seda
    • Alexas Alex
    Reg Rogers
    Reg Rogers
    • Connermanas Connerman
    Kenneth Tigar
    Kenneth Tigar
    • Weilas Weil
    Brian Reddy
    Brian Reddy
    • Woodsideas Woodside
    Christopher Carroll
    • M.C.as M.C.
    • Director
      • Gregory Hoblit
    • Writers
      • William Diehl(novel)
      • Steve Shagan(screenplay)
      • Ann Biderman(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    When a young man, Aaron, is charged with the horrific murder of Archbishop Rushman, hot-shot Chicago lawyer Martin Vail takes on his defense at no charge. Aaron was a homeless street kid before he was taken in by the Archbishop. He's shy and speaks with a stammer. Vail is convinced that Aaron is innocent but after discovering a video that shows Aaron may have had good reason to want the Archbishop dead, he begins to question that conclusion. When Aaron lashes out at the psychologist examining him another personality, Roy, is revealed. With the trial already underway, Vail cannot change Aaron plea and so has to find a way to introduce his client's condition. Aaron has something of a surprise for him as well. —garykmcd
    altar boymurder trialcourtroomstutteringamnesia173 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for brief grisly violence, pervasive strong language and a sex scene
    • Parents guide

    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]

      [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 At the Movies: Primal Fear/A Thin Line Between Love and Hate/Faithful/The Last Supper/The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (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 reviews345

    Review
    Top review
    Edward norton does an excellent job
    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
    helpful•189
    50
    • tweeterbirdy
    • Nov 9, 2004

    FAQ4

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

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 3, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Первісний страх
    • 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
      • 2h 9min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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