Ex-con Max Cady (Robert De Niro) terrorizes lawyer Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) and his family in director Martin Scorsese's 1991 movie classic, Cape Fear.

Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear, a 1991 remake from Universal Pictures, features Robert De Niro in one of his most memorable roles. As Max Cady, De Niro plays a sadistic ex-con, seeking biblical revenge against his former lawyer Nick Nolte. Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis, Joe Don Baker, Fred Thompson, Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck and Martin Balsam round out the cast.

Cape Fear Based on the Novel by John D. MacDonald

Cape Fear is based on the 1958 novel The Executioners by noted mystery writer John D. MacDonald (1916-1986). Published by Simon and Schuster, the 215-page The Executioners -- originally priced at $3.50 -- tells the story of a successful lawyer, his wife and three children who are menaced by an ex-G.I. rapist whom the attorney helped to convict 13 years ago.

The Original Cape Fear (1962)

Director J. Lee Thompson and Universal-International Pictures filmed the first movie version of The Executioners in 1962 under the title Cape Fear. The picture starred Gregory Peck (Sam Bowden), Robert Mitchum (Max Cady), Polly Bergen (Peggy Bowden), Lori Martin (Nancy Bowden), Martin Balsam (Mark Dutton) and Telly Savalas (Charles Sievers).

Cape Fear the Remake (1991)

Cape Fear returned in 1991 as a graphic remake from director Martin Scorsese and Universal Pictures. Wesley Strick, updating the original 1962 screenplay by James R. Webb, wrote the script, which encompassed 24 drafts. Providing the film's haunting music score was Elmer Bernstein in an arrangement using the original Bernard Hermann composition.

It was Steven Spielberg -- and not Scorsese -- who had originally been selected to direct Cape Fear.

The Cast

Heading the cast was Robert De Niro as the psychotic, Bible-quoting Max Cady. As was his usual custom, De Niro plunged into the role, paying a dentist $5,000 to cosmetically "white trash" his teeth. Vegetable dyes -- which faded after a few months -- were used in decorating De Niro's body with garish tattoos. In addition, the actor engaged in an intense workout program, reportedly reducing his body fat content to a mere 3 percent.

Joining De Niro in the cast were Nick Nolte (Sam Bowden), Jessica Lange (Leigh Bowden), Juliette Lewis (Danielle Bowden), Joe Don Baker (Claude Kersek), Robert Mitchum (Lieutenant Elgart), Gregory Peck (Lee Heller), Martin Balsam (Judge), Fred Thompson (Tom Broadbent) and IIleana Douglas (Lori Davis).

Originally considered for various roles in the movie were Harrison Ford, Kevin Kline and Robert Redford (Sam Bowden), George C. Scott (Lt. Elgart), Bill Murray (Max Cady) and Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon and Phoebe Cates (Danielle Bowden).

Filming Locations

Budgeted at $35 million, Cape Fear was filmed in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. The climactic swamp scene was shot at John U. Lloyd State Park in south Florida.

You're Gonna Learn About Loss

Cape Fear begins with an opening narration by 15-year-old Danielle "Dani" Bowden, setting the stage for when "the magic would end, and real life would come crashing in" on her family's small-town existence.

The scene shifts to convict Max Cady, whose muscular upper body is festooned with crude jailhouse tattoos. After 14 years, Cady is being released from prison, with revenge against his former lawyer now his overriding goal in life.

Cady returns to New Essex, Georgia, where he directs his terror campaign at attorney Sam Bowden and family. "You're gonna learn about loss," the ex-con tells his former defense lawyer.

With the law unable to help, Sam turns to private investigator Claude Kersek, who hires three men to perform "a little hospital job" on Cady via two pieces of steel pipe and a motorcycle chain. The ambush, however, goes awry, with Cady firmly back into the Bowdens' lives.

When PI Kersek and their maid Graciella are found dead inside the Bowden home during a stakeout, Sam and his family flee to their houseboat on Cape Fear. But hot on their trail is the maniacal Max Cady, whose plans for an Old Testament revenge will finally come to fruition on the North Carolina river.

Release, Reviews, Box Office

Cape Fear sailed into American movie theaters on November 13, 1991.

"...A new high in audience-friendly sadism," reported Vincent Canby of The New York Times (11/13/91).

"Starting with Robert De Niro's portrait of pure, insinuating evil as Cady, Cape Fear sets out to fry our nerves to a frazzle..." opined Peter Travers of Rolling Stone (11/28/91).

Cape Fear grossed $77.31 million at the box office, placing #14 on the list of the top moneymaking films of 1991.

Academy Award Nominations, DVD

Cape Fear garnered two Academy Award nominations: Best Actor (Robert De Niro) and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Lewis). It was first released on DVD as a tenth anniversary edition in 2001.

Max Cady, who tells Sam Bowden that he may relocate to California where "I could teach earthquake preparedness," occupies the #28 position on the American Film Institute's 2003 list of the top 50 movie villains of all time.

"Granddaddy used to handle snakes in church, Granny drank strychnine. I guess you could say I had a leg up, genetically speaking," Max says.

Yeah, some people are just born lucky...