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Primal Fear

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Primal Fear

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• Crime/detective
• Mystery

• 1996
• Gregory Hoblit
• 125 mins
• 18

Summary

Courtroom thriller starring Richard Gere and featuring Edward Norton. Arrogant lawyer Martin Vail takes on the seemingly unwinnable case of Aaron Stampler, a young altar boy accused of murdering an archbishop. Vail is chiefly concerned with gaining the maximum amount of media attention for himself.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Alan Jones

Hotshot lawyer Richard Gere chases fame as much as justice in this enjoyably involving courtroom drama from director Gregory Hoblit, based on William Diehl's bestselling novel. But when Gere takes on the high-profile case of a bewildered altar boy (Edward Norton) accused of murdering an archbishop, his cut-and-dried life begins to unravel. Having squared up to a state prosecutor (Laura Linney) who just happens to be his ex-girlfriend, Gere begins to suspect that still waters run deep in his seemingly angelic client. The movie brims with humour and excitement, while the performances of Gere and, particularly, the quite electric - and Oscar-nominated - Norton crackle with energy.

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7.7/10

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Streaming

• Paramount+
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameMartin VailRichard GereJanet VenableLaura LinneyDA John ShaughnessyJohn MahoneyJudge Miriam ShoatAlfre WoodardDr Molly ArringtonFrances McDormandAaron StamplerEdward NortonAssistant DA Bud YancyTerry O'QuinnTommy GoodmanAndré BraugherPineroSteven BauerStennerJoe SpanoMartinezTony PlanaRushmanStanley AndersonNaomiMaura TierneyAlexJon SedaConnermanReg RogersWeilKenneth Tigar

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Crew

rolenameDirectorGregory Hoblit

Details

Theatrical distributor

U.I.P. (UK)

Released on

1996-05-24

Languages

English | Spanish

Guidance

May be edited for language, violence, a sex scene and brief nudity.

Available on

video and DVD

Formats

Colour

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