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Primal Fear [1996]


RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £3.69 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk 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


The Perfect Crime?
Review date: 2008-04-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

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 loved as a person.Aaron has a very bad "stammer", and when seen by a psychologist in a holding cell she sees he has another side to him?
Exceptional acting from Norton in his first role.If you like court room dramas then this will be for you.Laura Linney is the the prosecutor and Geres ex,but it's not all in the court.

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Reviews


Greatest Court Room Thriller Period
Review date: 2006-10-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

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 !
Review date: 2006-08-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

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 a Gere or Norton fan!






"Your job is to sit there and look innocent."
Review date: 2006-08-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

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 the help of a psychologist (Frances McDormand), Vail discovers a shocking secret about young Aaron that may save his life.

This is a great movie; I've seen it many times and it never gets old. Gere is perfectly cast as the handsome, confident charmer, and Edward Norton surely had one of his best roles ever as the unfortunate Aaron - and this was his first movie role. He is so charismatic that you will not be able to take your eyes off him. The search for the killer's motive is intense and surprising, with lots of opportunities for Gere to showcase his tremendous appeal. Highly recommended for those who like character-driven mysteries.

Disappointing.
Review date: 2004-11-06 Rating: 6 out of 10

I was disappointed because I'd read so many 5* reviews here on Amazon before seeing the movie, but come on, the best ending ever?!?!?

God help you people, I suppose you couldn't work out what would happen in Gothika either? & I bet you struggle to imagine what happens at the end of 'Sleeping Beauty' as well!

Anyway, that said, the acting is great, there's no finer actor around than Edward Norton & if I hadn't taken so much notice of all the hype about how amazing this film is then I probably would've given it 4* because of the acting performances.

But that ending? I saw it coming most of the movie. Not as quicly as Gothika mind you, I worked out the ending of that movie about 10 minutes in!!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Laura Linney
Frances McDormand
Edward Norton
Richard Gere
John Mahoney

Creators:
Richard Gere (Primary Contributor)
Laura Linney (Primary Contributor)
Arnold Rudnick (Producer)
Gary Lucchesi (Producer)
Hawk Koch (Producer)
Patricia Graf (Producer)
Ann Biderman (Writer)
Steve Shagan (Writer)
William Diehl (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437812339
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-07-02
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1996-04-03
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Romanian (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Czech (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Hungarian (Dubbed)

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