Cape Fear is a 1962 American psychological horror thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson , from a screenplay by James R. Webb , adapting the 1957 novel The Executioners by John D. MacDonald . It stars Gregory Peck as Sam Bowden, an attorney and family man who is stalked by a violent psychopath and ex-con named Max Cady (played by Robert Mitchum ), who is bent on revenge for Bowden's role in his conviction eight years prior. The film co-stars Polly Bergen and features Lori Martin , Martin Balsam , Jack Kruschen , Telly Savalas , and Barrie Chase in supporting roles. Produced by Peck's company Melville Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures , the film includes several key cast and crew who had previously worked with director Alfred Hitchcock , including editor George Tomasini and composer Bernard Herrmann . J. Lee Thompson's direction was also strongly influenced by Hitchcock.