MovieChat Forums > Cape Fear (1962) Discussion > Harry Powell vs. Max Cady

Harry Powell vs. Max Cady


Checked through a couple pages of threads and didn't see one here (probably one over on the Night of the Hunter forum. The question is, who's worse, Max Cady or Harry Powell?

My vote goes to Max Cady, and one of the perfect examples comes right at the very beginning after the credits when Cady is walking up the interior courthouse steps and passes by the lady carrying a stack of books and drops one. Mitchum does an absolutely superb job of simply walking by her. A lesser actor would have made some kind of dismissive move, remark, or even a raised eyebrow, but Cady walks by without flinching a bit. It's a great bit of non-acting that says volumes how Cady simply doesn't view any other human beings as worthy of attention, i.e., a true psychopath.

Harry Powell, on the other hand, while also a psychopath, has monetary motivation. His focus isn't inflicting suffering or retaliation (although he has no problem with doing it), he just wants the money. And Harry would have picked up the lady's book, probably with some sort of gratuitous, fawning remark.

reply

Cady would murder Harry Powell in a heartbeat

reply