Brilliant, but cocky, criminal defence lawyer Martin Vail (Richard Gere) loves the spotlight, so when the chance comes to represent Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton, pictured), a penniless young man accused of the murder of Chicago's Catholic Archbishop, he smells a big payday.
The defendant's guilt - with blood all over his clothes and a strong motive - seems clear, but this doesn't desuade Vail from the case, so long as it's winnable. However the surprising concluding twist even shocks Vail and made Primal Fear, released in 1996, a big box-office hit. It earnt Norton, in his screen debut, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Primal Fear is a Film programme that first aired in 1996 and has been classified a 18 certificate.
