Ebert Says: The Night of the Hunter

For a while now I have been knocking off watchlist films that critic Roger Ebert, one of my personal heroes, had listed as his favorite films. The list is found here on MUBI. It has been such a wonderful journey to rediscover the ones I loved already as well as find new movies to devour. One of life’s greatest gifts is discovering and recommending a wonderful movie to another.

The Night of the Hunter was a film that I remember seeing my parents watch, but didn’t ever sit down for. As I started it this time some distant version of myself recalled some of the bleak imagery. And I can confirm now, it’s not going away anytime soon. An image can be powerful, and this is full of them.

This stunningly shot, haunting noir, tucked in shadows and eerie hymns, is a thriller classic.

It is a story about a religious zealot/serial killer who is recently released from jail who proceeds to prey on two young children that hold the secret of hidden wealth.

The Night of the Hunter seethes and simmers, remaining as efficacious as it did upon its release in 1955.

A Terrifying Bed Time Story

While in lock up, Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) is told by Ben Harper (Peter Graves) about the 10,000 he stole before his execution. When the Rev is let out these riches become his obsession and he finds Ben’s wife Willa (Shelley Winters), and her two children, John (Billy Chapin) and Pearl (Sally Jane Bruce).

Directed by actor Charles Laughton, in his only time at the helm, The Night of the Hunter is a memorable piece of cinema. It is envisioned from a child’s perspective, and that (much like a film like E.T. does), makes the events that unravel imagined with confusion and fear. This is a film littered with unsettling tendancies, and it makes it easy to fall victim to its twisted persona.

The cinematography by Stanley Cortez is of a potent power. This is a visually hypnotic feature, with shots that truly linger in your mind’s eye. The play of contrast with light and shadows, a presence leering over the hill or moonlight on the water, is skillfully captured.

Heightened Emotion, Evil Felt

Robert Mitchum is menacing and relentless. There is a chilling effect whenever he is on screen, but even when he’s not, just knowing he’s not far behind is effectively creepy. It’s a performance of angry malice, taken shape in the form of a dillusioned psychotic that is intent on executing his goal, no matter the cost. The film bounces between silently intimidating to loathly engaging, never letting you drift too far away from the danger at hand. A def hand at suspense, Laughton will also make you uncomfortable in a brief moment of laughter, all while the horror closes in, thick and encompassing.

The children’s performances are well matched for the evil force that seeks to consume, making for a cat and mouse of moody proportions.

It’s a bleak but haunting narrative that is written with an intelligent yet undemanding premise, that’s successfully accentuated. Atmospheric, there are many reasons this serial killer story stalks on through the ages.

Daringly daunting, The Night of the Hunter is a beautifully dark dose of cinema’s best.