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Movies / On DVD / Primal Fear
Primal Fear

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Primal Fear (1996)

69%
80%
88%
N/A
N/A
N/A
69 %
Reviews Counted: 36 Fresh: 25  Rotten:11 Average Rating: 6.6/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins

Synopsis: In Chicago, an Archbishop has been brutally murdered, and a sweet-faced altar boy named Aaron -- who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime and whose clothes were soaked in blood -- is charged with the crime. Aaron claims he was present when the murder occurred, but that he is not the killer. ... In Chicago, an Archbishop has been brutally murdered, and a sweet-faced altar boy named Aaron -- who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime and whose clothes were soaked in blood -- is charged with the crime. Aaron claims he was present when the murder occurred, but that he is not the killer. Coming to Aaron's rescue in this high-profile case is Martin Vail, a cocky lawyer who loves the media's spotlight as much as he loves his job. The legal road ahead of Martin and Aaron is filled with many obstacles, including a very determined prosecuting attorney (who's Martin's ex-lover), revelations about the Archbishop's "relationship" with the altar boys, and Aaron himself, who has a very violent, repugnant second personality named Roy. Is Aaron/Roy guilty? Or is he taking the fall for someone else? [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard

Director: Gregory Hoblit
Screenwriter: Steve Shagan, Ann Biderman
Composer: James Newton Howard
Story: William Diehl
Producer: Gary Lucchesi

DVD Info

Release:

Oct 12, 1999

[DVD Details]

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
07/25/08
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
2/4

Unfortunately, Primal Fear hasn't aged well; there are wrinkles and pockmarks all over its face.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/29/07
Gabe Leibowitz
Film and Felt
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/29/07
Neil Cohen
Echo Magazine
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
10/27/06
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Time Out
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
06/10/06
Boyd van Hoeij
european-films.net
Ratings Image
4/5

Ed Norton is out of this world in his break-out performance.

comment Comment
01/25/06
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
10/09/05
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/21/05
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/13/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
06/28/05
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
02/18/05
Todd Jorgenson
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
Ratings Image
4/5

Memorable for Edward Norton's chilling debut.

comment Comment
02/17/05
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Ratings Image
3/4

Works quite well as a mystery and as a courtroom drama.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/28/04
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
Ratings Image
2/5

Bad movie, but Norton's performance makes it worth watching.

comment Comment
06/08/04
Sarah Chauncey
Reel.com
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
04/15/04
Austin O'Connor
Lowell Sun
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
10/31/03
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
New York Times
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3.5/4

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly
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3/4

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Full Review | comment Comment
03/27/03
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
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Related Forums

laraemeadows
Edward Norton could not have picked a better film in which to debut.
by: laraemeadows 7/6


EXELENTE
by: HENRIQUE(DO BRASIL) 4/15/01
all

News

Film Rights to William Diehl's 27 Acquired
posted by April 15, 2008
27, a World War II thriller written by late Sharky's Machine and Primal Fear author William Diehl, is headed to the...

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• Primal Fear at Rotten Tomatoes
 
 
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