Year: 1955
Director: Charles Laughton
Country: U.S
Language: English
Shelly Winters seems to have the unfortunate luck of being specifically typecast as a widowed mother who falls for a creepy man, in this case Reverend Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), and then is murdered due to the villain's interest in her child/children. Charles Laughton was perhaps the first director to fit her into this role, so perhaps he is to blame. Laughton was a powerful actor who starred in classics like Island of Lost Souls and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He directed only one film, this particular film, and it is absolutely incredible.
Robert Mitchum stars as Harry Powell, a maniacal priest who marries and murders widows for their money, believing he is helping God do away with women who arouse men's carnal instincts. Arrested for auto theft, he shares a cell with condemned killer Ben Harper (Peter Graves) and tries to get him to reveal the whereabouts of the $10,000 he stole. Only Ben's nine-year-old son, John (Billy Chapin) and four-year-old daughter, Pearl (Sally Bruce) know where the money is. After Ben is executed, Powell finds his widow and makes her fall for him. Though all he really wants is to find the money.
Night of the Hunter is a horror film that plays very much like a fairy-tale from your childhood. John and Pearl symbolize innocence, and the bogeyman comes in the form of an adult, a godlike man who cons the gullible townsfolk including the children's mom. The score, as well as the visuals are rather dreamlike. Charles Laughton was going for in the film was expressionistic and was clearly going for the look of the old silent films of D.W. Griffith. He used very similar camera shots and techniques as well. Lillian Gish, most famous for her silent screen roles in D.W Griffith pictures of the 20's, is a protective mother-goose like figure who can spot wolves in sheep's clothing.
Night of the Hunter is a story of good and evil, of love and hate. There are no shades of grey, which is fine for this particular picture. It is also a truthful story about good religion vs bad religion. There are people like Harry Powell, who use their beliefs as a crutch and to mask who they really are, vile beasts. There are also people like Gish, who are honest and use their beliefs for good and protective purposes. This is a film of caution, we must not look at religious institutions and/or religiously authoritative people (priests, nuns, popes) as gods. Plenty of harm has been done by them, especially in places that have blind faith in religious leaders. Perhaps the reason Night of the Hunter is so frightening is because despite its dream-like look, the film is incredibly realistic.
In conclusion, while Night of the Hunter is a very entertaining film, it also holds very haunting truths that still carry over to this day. Due to increasing awareness we are hearing more and more similar accusations involving priests and children to this day. Though we must not also forget that there are good religious people in existence. The Criterion edition of this film is excellent, pick it up right away. Praise it! 5/5
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