Primal Fear

UPC: 097361422145

Studio: Paramount

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Graphic Violence]

Summary: 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

Category: Thriller

Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – null Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – National Board of Review Most Promising Actor – Chicago Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor (Runner-up) – National Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actor – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actor – National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor – Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Features: Commentary by director Gregory Hoblit, writer Ann Biderman, producer Gary Lucchesi, executive producer Hawk Koch, and casting director Deborah Aquila
Primal Fear: The Final Verdict
Primal Fear: Star Witness-Casting Edward Norton
The Psychology of Guilt
Theatrical trailer

Primal Fear

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 03/10/2009

Audio: DTHD null, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 130 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish,Portuguese

Brendon Hanley

Primal Fear is best remembered for the debut performance of Edward Norton, one of the most critically lauded new actors of the 1990s. Norton received overwhelming plaudits for his role as a Southern altar boy accused of murder, and he was duly nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Though Norton was praised by the critics, star Richard Gere caused a wider disparity of opinion for his performance. Still, former television director Gregory Hoblit creates considerable suspense, coaxing convincing thrills out of the script's twist ending. Fear was a moderate success in Gere's spotty 1990s film career. ~ Brendon Hanley, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Maura Tierney  Actor 
Jon Seda  Actor 
Peter Schreiner  Actor 
Mike Bacarella  Actor 
Terry O'Quinn  Actor 
Clarence Williams III  Actor 
Andre Braugher  Actor 
Brian Reddy  Actor 
Wendy Cutler  Actor 
Joe Spano  Actor 
Reg Rogers  Actor 
Stanley Anderson  Actor 
Kenneth Tigar  Actor 
Christopher Carroll  Actor 
Steven Bauer  Actor 
Tony Plana  Actor 
Tony Fitzpatrick  Actor 
Joseph R. Ryan  Actor 
Robert Jordan  Actor 
Gregory Hoblit  Director 
James Newton Howard  Composer (Music Score) 
Howard W. Koch  Executive Producer 
Steve Shagan  Screenwriter 
Ann Biderman  Screenwriter 
Gary Lucchesi  Producer 
Richard Gere  Actor 
Laura Linney  Actor 
John Mahoney  Actor 
Edward Norton  Actor 
Frances McDormand  Actor 
Alfre Woodard  Actor 

Country: USA