Cape Fear VS Cape Fear

Cape Fear (1962 & 1991) directed by J. Lee Thompson and the latter by Martin Scorsese, was based on a novel written by John D. MacDonald named The Executioners (1957). Both films follow the story of a Sam Bowden who in the past sent a rapist Max Cady to prison. The film is set after Max is released from prison and comes after Sam for sending him down. In this essay I will compare how the two directors approached making the movie.

Although, this basic narrative is kept the same, the directors use the characters in different ways. In the original, Sam is an honest family man who tries to protect his family, who even keeps watch outside the boathouse at cape fear to make sure Max isn’t around. Where Scorsese changes him into a slimy individual who cheats on his wife, and is scared of Max. For example, in the same boathouse scene he hides inside with his family from Max. Max Cady is also different, as he comes across as a lot scarier and more manipulative in Scorsese’s version. As he even gets Sam’s daughter Danielle Bowden to kiss him. Danielle is also changed from a happy girl in the original version, to a tear away teenager, who completes the dysfunctional family, which ‘in 1991 is the adjective of choice to describe American family life’ (Kelly 1992: 282).

Being thrillers both films are very suspenseful, however I feel Scorsese’s has more suspense. He does this by using the main theme tune whenever Cady is on screen, and whenever the theme is played we suspect that Cady is going to harm Sam and his family, whereas this tune is only used in the beginning and end in the original version. Max’s character also increases suspense, as his movements are unknown. For example, he breaks into Sam’s house through tough security without being noticed. This makes the audience feel weary, as they are unsure as to how he got in, and what could stop him from getting to them. Yet in Thompson’s version, his methods of attack are shown, which makes the film more realistic, yet less scary as the audience are conscious of what is coming. In the 91’ film the opening scene tells that something bad will happen at “Cape Fear” and when we arrive there in the final scene there is a storm, which makes the audience aware that the climax is close. Nothing of this sort is included in Thompson’s interpretation, but he does show many close encounters between Sam’s family and Max, where in each scene Max gets closer to them.

Hoberman argues that it is an ‘attempt to make money out of a clumsy plunge into sexual pathology’ (Hoberman in Gritten 2008: 110). However, I felt that the more violent and smuttier script made Scorsese’s version a modern interpretation, as the topics explored could be put onto the screen as in ’62 it may have been banned. Also the dysfunctional family adds more to the story, rather than just a man trying to get revenge.

Bibliography

Cape Fear (1962) Directed by J. Lee-Thompson. USA: Melville-Talbot Productions

Cape Fear (1991) Directed by Martin Scorsese. USA: Amblin Entertainment

Gritten, D (2008) Halliwell’s; The Movies That Matter. Harper Collins Publishers.

Kelly, M (1992) Martin Scorsese; A Journey. Secker & Warburg. (Chapter 10)