 |
One sheet theatrical release poster for the
1955 American film noir thriller The Night of the Hunter.
Film Overview
Directed by renowned actor Charles Laughton in his only directorial feature, the movie is a celebrated example of the Southern Gothic genre. It is highly regarded for its lyrical, expressionistic visual style, which was heavily influenced by German Expressionism and silent film techniques.
Director: Charles Laughton.
Screenplay: James Agee, based on the 1953 novel by Davis Grubb.
Producer: Paul Gregory.
Key Cast: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, and Lillian Gish.
Plot Summary
Set during the Great Depression in West Virginia, the story follows Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), a misogynistic serial killer posing as a preacher. While in prison for auto theft, he learns from a condemned cellmate, Ben Harper, that Harper has hidden $10,000 in stolen loot from a bank robbery.
After his release, Powell tracks down Harper's widow, Willa (Shelley Winters), and her two young children, John and Pearl. He charms and marries Willa to get to the money, which only the children know is hidden inside Pearl's doll. When Willa discovers his true nature, he murders her. The children flee downriver in a small boat, relentlessly pursued by Powell until they find refuge with Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish), a tough woman who protects abandoned children.
Historical Significance
Initially a critical and commercial failure, the film has since been reassessed as a masterpiece and is often cited among the greatest films ever made. In 1992, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. It is also famous for Robert Mitchum's iconic performance, particularly the "LOVE" and "HATE" tattoos on his knuckles. |
|
|
