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Zwielicht

Original title: Primal Fear
  • 1996
  • R
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
248K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,991
107
Richard Gere in Zwielicht (1996)
Trailer
Play trailer2:28
6 Videos
76 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 info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    248K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,991
    107
    • Director
      • Gregory Hoblit
    • Writers
      • William Diehl
      • Steve Shagan
      • Ann Biderman
    • Stars
      • Richard Gere
      • Laura Linney
      • Edward Norton
    • 407User reviews
    • 71Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info 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

    Photos76

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

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    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 reviews407

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    My first opportunity to comment on a film
    Riveting courtroom drama, starring Richard Gere, with occasional flashes of action. New to me faces that impressed are Laura Linney and Edward Norton, both of whom give outstanding performances against the ever reliable Gere, a sometimes underated star actor.

    Kept me on the edge of my chair throughout. One of the best of the courtroom genre films that I have seen.

    A coherent script, well directed and edited, leaving me guessing to the end, with a really neat twist in the final stage. Excellent.
    helpful•21
    2
    • Maverick1962
    • Sep 13, 2000

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Primal Fear?Powered by Alexa
    • 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
      • 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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