The Night of the Hunter Movie (1955)
A Strong Robert Mitchum Film Directed by Charles Laughton
Jun 12, 2009
Robert Mitchum, in one of his strongest performances, plays an evil “preacher man” in Depression-era West Virginia, who stalks two young children in the hopes of gaining stolen money. The story, itself, is based on a real-life event.
The Night of the Hunter Book
In 1953 novelist Davis Grubb wrote the national bestseller, The Night of the Hunter, a fictional work based on the true story of Harry Powers, who was hanged in 1932 for the murders of two widows and three children in Moundsville, West Virginia.
Grubb’s book was written as a criticism of what the author believed was the corrupt influence of religion in the American South. Shortly after publication, screen rights to the novel were purchased by United Artists and Laughton and screenwriter James Agee (The African Queen) adapted it for the screen.
The Night of the Hunter Cast
Robert Mitchum (Harry Powell), Lillian Gish (Rachel Cooper), Shelley Winters (Willa Harper), Billy Chapin (John Harper), Sally Jane Bruce (Pearl Harper), Peter Graves (Ben Harper), and James Gleason (Birdie Steptoe).
The Night of the Hunter Movie
Harry Powell is a religious fanatic who has “love” tattooed across the knuckles of one hand and “hate” across the other. Although he claims to be “a man of God,” Powell has a definite sinister side. He has a penchant for marrying and then murdering widows for their money.
While in prison for a minor crime, the “preacher” meets Ben Harper, a family man, who is about to be executed for a murder he committed during a bank robbery. Harper was able to hide the money before his capture, but refuses to tell Powell where it is. However, Powell sees a clue to its whereabouts when Harper mutters in his sleep the Biblical quotation “And a child shall lead them.”
After his release, Powell goes to Harper’s home and eventually is able to woo and wed Harper’s widow, Willa. But, his efforts to quiz the two young Harper children, John and Pearl about the hidden money prove futile. The two siblings sense his evilness and refuse to give any information.
When Willa realizes what Powell is up to, she confronts him in their bedroom and he brutally murders her and sinks her body in a nearby pond. The two children then take the money and flee the house with Powell in pursuit. After a series of harrowing adventures, the two come under the protection of eccentric, Bible quoting, hymn singing and shotgun wielding Rachel Cooper, an older woman who confronts the psychotic “man of the cloth.”
Critic Reviews
The Night of the Hunter flopped at the box office on release, but has since gained stature among critics and audiences. It is ranked #34 on the American Film Institute’s “100 years, 100 Thrills” list and film critic Roger Ebert has said of the movie: “[It tells] its chilling story through visual fantasy” and “It is a compelling, frightening and beautiful film.”
The Night of the Hunter Evaluated
There are plenty of reasons to like The Night of the Hunter besides its strength as a movie thriller. Robert Mitchum is chilling as the malevolent preacher with hatred and greed emanating from every pore of his body. The rest of the cast is also good, particularly the two children who represent innocence.
From a cinematic viewpoint, the movie is a visual masterpiece. Many of the film’s scenes are at night and that, along with the stark black and white photography, add to the creepiness of the story. Laughton also created a surrealistic feel by relying on German Expressionism with its shadows, odd camera angles, and out of proportion sets.
Some have said that there is an anti-religion tone to the film that they feel is offensive. In saying this, they fail to realize that Rachel Cooper is a strong religious woman. In reality, the Mitchum and Gish characters represent “twisted religion,” on the one hand, and “true faith,” on the other.
Other Details of The Night of the Hunter
- Length: 92 minutes.
- Color: Black and White
- Language: English
- Trivia: Robert Mitchum was anxious to play Harry Powell and later called it his favorite role.
Night of the Hunter DVD
Turner Classic Movies, besides frequently showing the movie, has two editions of the movie for sale through Movies Unlimited. One is a single disc, while the other is part of the expensive United Artists 90th Anniversary Prestige Collection.
Another 1950's Movie: Outrage
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