Summary

Not to be confused with the 1996 Richard Gere thriller of the same name, this Primal Fear is in fact a History Channel-produced documentary, helmed by Ken Winikur, that explores the most primal fears common to all men - such as being buried alive, being attacked and killed by lethal snakes, and (especially in the wake of 9/11) falling prey to an ugly and unforeseen terrorist attack. The program discusses the psychological origins and significance of each fear, when and where it originated, how it evolved over time, and the ways in which it has been toyed with by crafty manipulators to prey on the potential for mass hysteria. The film incorporates numerous and extensive interviews with scientists who discuss the impact of fight-or-flight on those impacted by the fears, and who also speak candidly of the physiological reasons why those who made ill-fated attempts to escape lost their lives. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi