After an eight-year prison term for rape and assault, Max Cady (
Robert Mitchum) is set free. Immediately making a beeline to Sam Bowden (
Gregory Peck),
the former prosecutor responsible for Cady's conviction, Cady
laconically informs Sam that he intends to "pay back" the attorney for
his years behind bars. Conducting a meticulous campaign of terror, Cady
is careful to stay within the law. Sam, realizing that Cady intends to
wreak vengeance by raping the attorney's wife (
Polly Bergen) and daughter (
Lori Martin), tries to put the ex-criminal behind bars, but has no grounds to do so. Chief Dutton (
Martin Balsam)
tries to help Sam with a few strong-arm tactics, but succeeds only in
having the courts take Cady's side in the matter. Things come to a head
when Sam moves his family to the "safety" of a remote houseboat on Cape
Fear river. Cady shows up unannounced and is about to ravage Bowden's
wife and daughter and when Sam turns the tables.
