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Primal Fear [1996]
from Paramount Home Entertainment
starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Frances McDormand
directed by Gregory Hoblit

Features:

• Anamorphic
• Dubbed
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

Clever twists and a bona fide surprise ending make Primal Fear an above-average courtroom thriller. Tapping into the post-O J scrutiny of the American legal system in the case of a hotshot Chicago defence attorney (Richard Gere) whose latest client is an altar boy (Edward Norton) accused of murdering a Catholic archbishop. The film uses its own manipulation to tell a story about manipulation and when we finally discover who's been pulling the strings, the payoff is both convincing and pertinent to the ongoing debate over what constitutes truth in the American system of justice. Making an impressive screen debut that has since led to a stellar career, Norton gives a performance that rides on a razor's edge of schizophrenic pathology--his role is an actor's showcase and without crossing over the line of credibility, Norton milks it for all it's worth. Gere is equally effective in a role that capitalises on his shifty screen persona and Laura Linney and Frances McDormand give memorable performances in their intelligently written supporting roles. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• The Perfect Crime?
  Richard Gere appears as the suave Defence Lawyer Martin Vail,looking for that one case that really is going to jettison him up to the top bracket and he seizes his chance when he defends Aaron, the choirboy accused of murdering the Archbishop in whose home he lives.Aaron,played by Edward Norton is caught after a long chase,running from near the scene covered in blood,though he has no memory of committing the crime admits to witnessing it.He has no reason he says for killing the Archbishop who he says he... more info

• Greatest Court Room Thriller Period
  What an incredible actor Edward Norton is as the defendent in a murder involving a church priest. The acting is quite simply brilliant and the ending is going to knock your socks off. A film that even when you know the ending is still brilliant to watch again just to pick up the details.
  This is a must buy and Norton's greatest film and most definitely Gere's too.

• Innocent until Proven Guilty !
  Primal Fear is a masterpiece! Superb acting from Edward Norton who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his brilliant portrayal of murder suspect Aaron and Richard Gere as his suave, confident defence attorney who seems to be the only one convinced of his innocence.
  This film really stands the test of time some 10 years on with a great opening scene that gets your interest right from the start! No nipping out to put the kettle on with this one!!
  A 'must have' if you're... more info

• "Your job is to sit there and look innocent."
  The popular archbishop of Chicago has just been brutally murdered and 19-year old altar boy Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) is found running from the scene, covered in the man's blood. It looks like an open and shut case against the simple, stuttering boy, until dashing Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a self-proclaimed "big-deal lawyer," offers to defend him - pro bono. The prosecutor he'll be facing in the courtroom is none other than his ex-girlfriend (Laura Linney), who is still bitter about their past. With... more info

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