47	METASCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

8.3	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 202 Ratings

Primal Fear

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: April 3, 1996

Summary: Guilty? Innocent? Those questions aren't for high-powered Chicago attorney Martin Vail (Gere) to decide. His job is to defend - especially if a case will put his name in the headlines and further his career. When Vail hears that a penniless altar boy (Norton) is accused of murdering the local archbishop, he snaps up the case, eager for the media spotlight. Little does he know that it will uncover a viper's nest of corruption, pit him against a prosecutor (Linney) who's his ex-lover, and test all his skill, judgement and even his win-at-any-cost attitude. (Paramount)

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Details

Runtime:	129 min
Rating:	Rated R for brief grisly violence, pervasive strong language and a sex scene.
Production:	Paramount Pictures
Genres:	Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Country:	USA
Language:	English
Home Release Date:	Oct 20, 1998

Director	Credit
Gregory Hoblit	Director

Writer	Credit
Ann Biderman	Screenplay
Steve Shagan	Screenplay
William Diehl	Novel

Principal Cast	Credit
Edward Norton	Aaron
Laura Linney	Janet Venable
Richard Gere	Martin Vail

Cast	Credit
Alfre Woodard	Shoat
Andre Braugher	Tommy Goodman
Frances McDormand	Molly
Joe Spano	Abel Stenner
John Mahoney	Shaughnessy
Jon Seda	Alex
Maura Tierney	Naomi Chance
Reg Rogers	Jack Connerman
Stanley Anderson	Archbishop Rushman
Steven Bauer	Joey Pinero
Terry O'Quinn	Bud Yancy
Tony Plana	Martinez

Producer	Credit
Arnold Rudnick	Associate Producer
Gary Lucchesi	Producer
Hawk Koch	Executive Producer
Patricia Graf	Associate Producer
Robert McMinn	Co-Producer