Movies / Primal Fear (1996)
Runtime: 129 min
Genres: Crime Drama Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA
A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail, a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood, Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV, making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable (Laura Linney), who is Vail's ex-girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist, Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical, opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect, a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking, twist ending made Primal Fear (1996) a big box office hit and earned Norton, in his screen debut, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
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Directors (1) | Credit |
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Gregory Hoblit | ... |
Writers (3) | Credit |
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Ann Biderman | (screenplay) |
Steve Shagan | (screenplay) and |
William Diehl | (novel) |
Composers (1) | Credit |
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James Newton Howard | ... |
Editors (1) | Credit |
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David Rosenbloom | ... |
Cinematographers (1) | Credit |
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Michael Chapman | director of photography |
Actors (53) | Credit |
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Alfre Woodard | Judge Shoat |
Andre Braugher | Tommy Goodman |
Andy Shaw | WLS Location Reporter |
Antonio Bardales | Choirboy (uncredited) |
Azalea Davila | Linda |
Bob Kenney | Pilot |
Brian Reddy | Woodside |
Christopher Carroll | M.C. |
Clarence Williams Jr. | Arresting Cop |
David Eckert | WGN Anchor |
Diann Burns | WLS Anchor |
Dwight Brad Dyer | Prison Guard |
Edward Norton | Aaron |
Frances McDormand | Dr. Molly Arrington |
Greg Bronson | Banquet Patron (uncredited) |
Joanie Lum | WGN Location Reporter |
Joe Spano | Abel Stenner |
John Mahoney | John Shaughnessy |
Jon Duncanson | WBBM Location Reporter |
Jon Seda | Alex |
Joseph F. Kosala | Cop (as Joe Kosala) |
Joseph Luis Caballero | Joe |
Joseph R. Ryan | Old Man |
Kenneth Tigar | Weil |
Kyle Colerider-Krugh | Postman |
Larry Cook | Pilot |
Laura Linney | Janet Venable |
Lenny Wilson | Bartender |
Lester Holt | WBBM Anchor (as Lester D. Holt) |
Linda Yu | WLS Anchor |
Mary Ann Childers | WBBM Anchor |
Maura Tierney | Naomi Chance |
Mike Bacarella | Sergeant |
Mike Boss | Cop (uncredited) |
Peter Schreiner | Bailiff |
Randall Slavin | Young Boy |
Randy Salerno | WGN Location Reporter |
Reg Rogers | Jack Connerman |
Richard Gere | Martin Vail |
Richard Hempton | Inmate (uncredited) |
Robert Jordan | WGN Anchor |
Ron O.J. Parson | Turner |
Rosalie V. Lewis | Stenographer |
Sigrid K. Zahner | Vail's Secretary |
Stanley Anderson | Archbishop Rushman |
Steven Bauer | Joey Pinero |
Sylvia Gomez | WBBM Location Reporter |
Terry O'Quinn | Bud Yancy |
Tony Fitzpatrick | Duty Officer |
Tony Plana | Martinez |
Turk Muller | Precinct Jailer |
Wayne Wright | Court Clerk |
Wendy Cutler | Lou |