Rating: 
Summary: A True Nail-Biter!!
Review: Let's face it .... that Max Cady is one scary dude! Portrayed to perfection by Robert Mitchum, Cady is presented with full intensity in 1962's "Cape Fear", one of my favorite movies of this genre! We get the impression, and rightly so, that Mr. Cady is relentless in his pursuit of Sam Bowden and family. Nothing is going to stop him. And Sam knows this too. Therefore, drastic measures are needed to fight this awesome menace. Watch and see how it suspensefully unfolds. You'll want to see it over and over. The Bernard Herrmann score adds much to the atmosphere here as well! As usual, another stellar effort from Mr. Herrmann!
Rating:
Summary: A nail-biter from beginning to end!
Review: The original Cape Fear with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum is a true film classic in which Mitchum personifies evil and menace. Mitchum's character, Max Caddy, is an ex-con who wants revenge on Sam (played by Peck), a small-town lawyer responsible for putting him in jail. Once released, Max begins stalking Sam and his family. The suspense grows increasingly more intense until the dramatic conclusion on the Cape Fear. Mitchum's outstanding and disturbing performance carries the film from start to finish and is so well done that it stays with you even after the film's conclusion. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Huntout on Cape Fear River
Review: "Tell me counselor, what do you think is the value of eight years in jail?" These are the words of Max Cady. Max Cady had spent eight years in jail. He blames it all on the witness, Sam Boden. He comes out of jail with one mission, to seek revenge on Sam Boden. He then stalks Sam Bodens family. Realizing that he is legally powerless, Sam Boden makes the most suspenseful trap on the creepy and lonely Cape Fear River.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate Thriller
Review: i am very inclined to agree with the other reviewers who rated this 4 stars or better. it is the ultimate thriller of the 60s. i have only one reservation about this one. the censor's code was too strict and forced great restrictions on the producers and director. to think of how much greater, as great as it already is, it could have been.for those of you who haven't seen the remake of this awesome thriller, don't waste your time, in my opinion. this is definitely the superior version. the only version. as for the DVD it has a theatrical trailer, cast bios, production photos, production notes, and best of all, a making of documentary. i highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Mitchum Is The Master!
Review: Robert Mitchum was menacing to watch in anything he made! His eyes snide and sleepy seem to underly thoughts of torture! Cape Fear the orignal film of course is the bset for this reason alone! Where DeNiro has nothingto draw on besides his acting talent and his ever present look of a man in straind bowell movement, Mitchum gives Max the most fearsome of all things and that is Mitchum himself his slow burning voice and imposing stature pop and haunt the viwer through the shadows and trees in the swamp and right into the haunts of the school where he chases Gregory Peck's (Sam) daughter. Peck as Sam is stoic and preserved giving the always wooden acting Peck's performance the ultimate realness. Mitchum makes you feel sympathy for him because peck seems perfect no troubles at all you wish for a crack in Peck's armor and when it happens the film makes sure you notice! Shocking and nightmarish in every way this flick makes the remake look like an expensive coaster! Even Lori Martin as Peck's daughter out acts Julliette lewis' performance in this flick she is deathly afraid of peck as if he is th boogey man of childhood lore opposed to the lustful dream in Lewis' remade nightmare. The final scenes leave you out of control with heart pounding action Mitchum's barrel chest and water soaked body makes his way into the boat house where the family is hidden and when he gently carress Peck's wife breasts the word tension take on a new snap!
Rating: 
Summary: Mitchum,s Revenge
Review: Robert Mitchum doesnt even seem to move fast at all. He is delibrate. He seems to appear and then not be there..in a fashion as Mrs Danvers in " Rebbecca" Few actors can essay Max Cady as well as Mitchum. J. Lee Thompson,s sure hand as director makes the images all the more provactive. If that wasnt enough its another thrilling film score from the master Bernard Herrmann. The film is shot almost in a documentary type style..untill Mr. Cady shows up. What you thought you saw on the screen is perhaps not as explicit as films of today..but exactly what does happen on that houseboat with Polly Bergen..? Pure Cinema!!
Rating:
Summary: ALFRED HITCHCOCK WITHOUT HITCH!!!
Review: The original Cape Fear is probably the best Alfred Hitchcock film not directed by the master. J. Lee Thompson does an excellent job directing a tight script. Hitchcock could very well be one of the most imitated directors and Thompson pulls it off without going over the top and giving his only little touches to this thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum are superb in the lead roles of two men playing a war of nerves with each other where there can only be one winner. I feel it's one of Mitchum's best roles and should have been giving an Academy Award for it, but they don't give awards for portraying evil, which he does with relish. The dvd transfer of the film is flawless and the mini-documentary give us some interesting insight on the making of the movie. A classic in all sense of the word.
Rating:
Summary: Robert Mitchum is menacing and scary in this film.
Review: This suspense film features Robert Mitchum in probably his best role as Max Cady. He's scary, menacing, believable, and right for the role. I saw this film before Scorsese's remake, and I'm glad I did. This version is superior in that it leaves everything to the imagination, and is not gratuitous or bloody. Gregory Peck is also good in his role. I think I'm starting to take an interest in Robert Mitchum's films, and Mitchum is one of Roger Ebert's favorite actors. Mitchum never recieved any Oscar nominations that I know of. This shows how underappreciated and underrated an actor he is.
Rating:
Summary: Believable and Scary, Three Great Leads!
Review: Robert Mitchum BECOMES Max Cady, an ex-con who has come to pay a visit to Gregory Peck, the local "councelor" whose witness testimony put Mitchum up the river 8 years ago. First Mitchum talks to Peck after court, then he sees him at the bowling ally, next Peck's dog is poisoned, and the events keep getting worse as his whole family is suffering from sleepless nights, stalking men, and fear for their lives, all climaxing in a riveting houseboat scene on the Cape Fear River. Mitchum is perfect in his role, and Peck is right at home as the classy lawyer who is in fear for his loved ones. Polly Bergen is also wonderful as Peck's loving wife who is also in fear of Mitchum, and Martin Balsam has a memorable role as the Chief Dutton, Peck's good friend. The reason Cape Fear is so scary is because its believable. There are no space aliens, no monsters, and no unbelievable violence. You get the feeling all of this can really happen thanks to the stars. Cape Fear was recently placed on AFI's list of the 100 most chilling movies of all time, and after you see it, you won't have to wonder why.
Rating:
Summary: Once again, older is better!
Review: Originals are almost always superior to remakes, and that holds true here. I like Robert DeNiro as an actor, but Robert Mitchum absolutely shines as Max Cady. I totally agree with others who have stated Robert Mitchum's talents were never fully appreciated. And his role in Cape Fear showcases his versatility as compared to other Mitchum films such as "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" or "The Sundowners". Mitchum's character Max Cady serves as a constant reminder that there are just plain bad people in this world. Not necessarily warped or sick (such as Anthony Perkins in "Psycho"), but just plain bad. No rehabilitation for this guy. After nearly a decade in jail his first thought is to seek revenge on the lawyer that helped put him there. Sure, he could have beaten Gregory Peck to a pulp or simply killed him, but that would have been too easy. Cady decides to torment Peck by threatening his family, a far scarier prospect for any husband and father. Director Lee Thompson puts Mitchum's looming physical presence to good use, giving us a number of shots of his larger than life chest (sometimes it almost appears as though Mitchum inhales and holds it in, but that's nit-picking). He's not "cut" by today's body-building standards, but that makes him all the more believable and menacing. It's clear Peck (nor few other men) would be a match for him, not to mention Mitchum's "girlfriend". Oh, I forgot. Cady likes to beat her in his spare time. (Like I said, just a bad person). But it's Mitchum's acting that's the grease of this movie. His shifty half-open eyes, his delivery and movements. It's definitely an unforgettable performance. Peck is fine as good-guy Sam Bodden - it's certainly not his best performance but he does strike a fine balance of hate and fear from Cady's constant threats. And the storyline flows nicely with a slow and steady build-up of terror. Don't bother with the Scorsese version unless your put off by "old" movies in "black and white". This is the real thing!
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