Cape Fear (1962)

Director: J Lee Thompson
Starring: Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen

Synopsis:
A lawyer and his family is tormented by a newly released convict seeking revenge for his imprisonment.

Impressions:
Robert Mitchum was really good as the villain in The Night of the Hunter, but here he gives one of the best villainous portrayals ever put to film. (AFI put the two roles at 28 and 29 on their Top 100 list.) This is a very tense movie and it's Mitchum who makes it. For most of the movie, it's all threat with no direct action. As the things steadily ramp up, Gregory Peck's character is pushed further and further over the line. This is a first-rate psychological thriller and needs to be seen. I can't recommend it enough.

Rating:
Own It