MovieChat Forums > Cape Fear (1991) Discussion > Did Scorsese really direct this?

Did Scorsese really direct this?

posted 2 years ago by VanZan (932)
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm very suspicious of the amount of Scorsese's involvement because of a few reasons:

This was a one-for-one deal where he got to make the Last Temptation of Christ in exchange. Also Spielberg was producing and quite involved but bizarrely wanted his name off the credits.

I watched this again last night for the first time in years and it doesn't feel like a Scorsese film. If it is then there are many people who say it's by far his worst film. Which makes me wonder if it really isn't one of his at all.

There's just something not quite right....

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Scorsese is a master at adapting his approach to the subject matter of a movie. Silence is very different from Goodfellas, for example. I don't think it's obvious he directed both of those. I don't think there's anything about Cape Fear that would make me doubt he directed.

[–] Puvwall (1460) 2 years ago

I kinda hear where your coming from. But i like it and still get a feel of l Scorsese.
Also love Bringing out the dead by him, a bit similar vibe maybe

Now shudder island that is the worst i have seen. Also doesn't feel like Scorsese

[–] roger1 (4046) a year ago

I think "touches" like some of the superfast camera moves on the characters ,and the extensive use of "reverse negative" shots to turn white into black , etc -- give the film the visual Scorsese touch.

Coming off "GoodFellas" the year before with its wall-to-wall soundtrack of 50's rock oldies, Nillsen, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, etc...Cape Fear was rather "locked into" its Old School Bernard Herrmann score(reorhestrated by Elmer Bernstein), so the movie has the musical sound of neither GoodFellas nor Casino to come(which is now in the distant past, too.)

Still, its a Scorsese joint, clearly.

Spielberg bought it for himself to direct at first(or maybe he didn't HAVE to buy it -- Universal owned the rights -- they probably just showed him a list of movies to remake. Funny: Spielberg felt it was more up Scorsese's alley, I guess.

[–] MartyDeniro (4185) a year ago

Yes.

[–] VanZan (932) a year ago

Thank you for confirming that Marty.