IMDb >
Primal Fear (1996)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPrimal Fear (1996) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 31 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
3 April 1996 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real. more
Plot:
An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 9 wins
&
4 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(27 articles)
tMF Featured Trailer: Edward Norton's Leaves of Grass!
(From The Movie Fanatic. 16 November 2009, 7:32 AM, PST)
tMF Featured Trailer: Edward Norton's Leaves of Grass!
(From The Movie Fanatic. 16 November 2009, 7:32 AM, PST)
(From The Movie Fanatic. 16 November 2009, 7:32 AM, PST)
tMF Featured Trailer: Edward Norton's Leaves of Grass!
(From The Movie Fanatic. 16 November 2009, 7:32 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Edward Norton Shines
more (171 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Richard Gere | ... | Martin Vail | |
| Laura Linney | ... | Janet Venable | |
| John Mahoney | ... | Shaughnessy | |
| Alfre Woodard | ... | Shoat | |
| Frances McDormand | ... | Molly | |
| Edward Norton | ... | Aaron | |
| Terry O'Quinn | ... | Yancy | |
| Andre Braugher | ... | Goodman | |
| Steven Bauer | ... | Pinero | |
| Joe Spano | ... | Stenner | |
| Tony Plana | ... | Martinez | |
| Stanley Anderson | ... | Rushman | |
| Maura Tierney | ... | Naomi | |
| Jon Seda | ... | Alex | |
| Reg Rogers | ... | Connerman |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for brief grisly violence, pervasive strong language and a sex scene.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
129 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #33986) |
Iceland:16 |
Canada:A (Ontario) |
Philippines:R-18 |
Canada:18A (Canadian Home Video rating) |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Chile:14 |
Denmark:16 |
Finland:K-14 |
Germany:16 (bw) |
Netherlands:16 |
Norway:15 |
Peru:14 |
Portugal:M/16 |
Singapore:M18 |
South Korea:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
Australia:MA (re-rating)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
2,100 actors auditioned for the role of Aaron Stampler - Matt Damon was one of them.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: Martin's collar when checking himself in the mirror.
more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Marty: On my first day of law school, my professor says two things. First was; "From this day forward, when your mother tells you she loves you - get a second opinion."
Jack Connerman: [chuckles] And?
Marty: "If you want justice, go to a whorehouse. If you wanna get fucked, go to court."
more
Marty: On my first day of law school, my professor says two things. First was; "From this day forward, when your mother tells you she loves you - get a second opinion."
Jack Connerman: [chuckles] And?
Marty: "If you want justice, go to a whorehouse. If you wanna get fucked, go to court."
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Psychology of Guilt (2009) (V)
more
Soundtrack:
Chez What
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (171 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Primal Fear (1996) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Presumed Innocent | Fracture | Mystic River | Basic Instinct | Midnight Court |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |














In this strong, twisting court room crime drama thriller, a young Edward Norton shines with this performance that makes the movie a strong, unsettling movie. The dynamic tension between Richard Gere and Laura Linney lends to the underlying swirling dance of political and emotional turmoil that lies beneath the surface of District Attorney and high-profile attorney Gere. While by today's standards (2006) the storyline is now pretty typical, it retains a resonance because of the plot and storyline as well as the acting. Still, the edges of the movie are almost too polished. Some of the technical matters overlooked. Alfre Woodard has a credible role as the courtroom judge and Frances McDormand provides a decent hand as a psychologist (though this key role was a bit weak in comparison to the rest of the movie in terms of the crucial nature that it plays). Gere's tangled relationship with his own team is also fascinating to watch though again a bit torn and tattled with a few lose ends but the supporting cast does well. Overall, this is a solid courtroom crime drama with a nice ripping ending. Eight out of Ten Stars.