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Primal Fear

  • 1996
  • R
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
260K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
162
759
Richard Gere in Primal Fear (1996)
Trailer
Play trailer2:28
6 Videos
95 Photos
Legal ThrillerPsychological ThrillerCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

A high-profile murder intrigues a publicity hungry lawyer.A high-profile murder intrigues a publicity hungry lawyer.A high-profile murder intrigues a publicity hungry lawyer.

  • 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
    260K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    162
    759
    • Director
      • Gregory Hoblit
    • Writers
      • William Diehl
      • Steve Shagan
      • Ann Biderman
    • Stars
      • Richard Gere
      • Laura Linney
      • Edward Norton
    • 420User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • 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
    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

    Photos95

    View Poster
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    + 88
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    Top cast55

    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: 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 reviews420

    Featured review
    9/10

    Exceptionally good all around

    If you want to see excellent acting in the service of an involving well told story this is a good place to start. Across the board there is not one weak performance. Gere has one of his very best roles as a fame loving attorney who chases a headline case that is more than he bargained for. He and the Laura Linney spar and parry both in and out of court with wonderful brio, she is his equal even if he is loath to admit it and the actress's personal strong persona fits the role perfectly. In a star making performance Edward Norton grabs his part by the throat and runs with it, a brilliant job and one that marked him as a true talent to watch. Each secondary roles is filled with top drawer character actors-Frances McDormand as an understanding therapist, Maura Tierney and Andre Braugher as Gere's assistants and on and on all deliver quality work. Alfre Woodard deserves special mention as the no nonsense slightly cantankerous judge who tipples a little on the side. She takes what could have been a throwaway part and makes her both memorable and humorous. A little overlong you won't notice so good is the acting and once it gets going the story keeps the interest level high.
    • jjnxn-1
    • Apr 29, 2013
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 3, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • La raíz del miedo
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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