Cape Fear (1991), and when Martin Scorsese read it three times and hated it

Cape Fear (1991), and when Martin Scorsese read it three times and hated it

Author: Simon Brew April 28, 2026 Duration: 47:47
It's pretty well known that originally, Steven Spielberg was interested in directing a remake of Cape Fear, and that Martin Scorsese held the rights to what became Schindler's List. That the two then swapped projects. Yet that's just part of the story. In this episode of Film Stories, Simon Brew digs into Scorsese's dislike of the project when he first came to it. Of Robert De Niro's tattoos. Of Nick Nolte not being recognised at the premiere of Goodfellas. And he uncovers a useful lesson in booking your location right near an airport... Patreon: www.patreon.com/simonbrew www.filmstories.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder what really happened behind the scenes of your favorite film? Film Stories with Simon Brew pulls back the curtain, exploring the fascinating and often chaotic journeys movies take from script to screen. Host Simon Brew, founder of Den of Geek, guides each episode, delving into the untold narratives that shaped cinema. You’ll hear about productions plagued by unexpected hurdles, complex rights battles that stalled projects for years, and the sheer luck or stubborn determination that finally got a film into theaters. This isn't just a review show; it's a deep dive into the history and human drama of filmmaking. Each story reveals the layers hidden within a finished movie-the near-cancellations, the last-minute rewrites, and the creative clashes that are all part of the process. Tune in for a compelling look at how films are truly made, far beyond what appears in the final cut. This podcast celebrates the resilience and sometimes madness inherent in bringing stories to life, offering a fresh perspective for anyone who loves the world of TV and film.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Film Stories with Simon Brew
Podcast Episodes
In conversation with Malcolm McDowell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:18
Now here's a man with a whole bunch of stories. Malcolm McDowell joins the Film Stories podcast for a special episode, where we go through his stories. The conversation takes us from ITV's Crossroads to his latest releas…
The Running Man (1987) and Wreck-It Ralph (2012) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:11
The first screen adaptation of The Running Man saw four different directors fired, the final director come in once filming had begun (while Arnold Schwarzenegger and his lycra were away from the set). Schwarzenegger woul…
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and All Is Lost (2013) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:16
The Shawshank Redemption, just starring Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford in the lead roles? It might just have happened, if writer/director Frank Darabont hadn't turned down a life-changing offer to let someone else direct t…
Reservoir Dogs (1992) and the DIVX video disc format (1998) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:04
A lot of the story of Quentin Tarantino's debut movie, Reservoir Dogs, is very well known. The tale of a man working in a video store writing scripts, and becoming Hollywood's hottest filmmaker in a matter of years. But…
The entire Divergent franchise (2014-2016) and Adventureland (2009) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:17
Twilight and The Hunger Games set the bar high for young adult movie adaptations in late 2000s/early 2010s, and when Veronica Roth's Divergent series of books came onto the market, a deal was soon struck. The plan? A tri…
In conversation with Samara Weaving and Jimmy Warden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:05
In this special episode of Film Stories, Samara Weaving, Jimmy Warden and - yes! - Muriel the dog join Simon for a chat. Jimmy has written/directed the film Borderline, which arrives in the UK on demand in September 2025…
Cruel Intentions (1999), plus Akiva Schafer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:03
Writer/director Roger Kumble had never made a film as he approached the back end of the 1999s, but had two very acclaimed plays under his belt. This, he figures, was his moment, and in under two weeks, he wrote the first…