A tall, handsome 'preacher' - his knuckles eerily tattooed with 'love' and 'hate' - roams the countryside, spreading the gospel... and leaving a trail of murdered women in his wake. To Reverend Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), the work of the Lord has more to do with condemning souls than saving them, especially when his own interests are involved. Now his sights are set on $10,000 - and two little children are the only ones who know where it is. 'Chill...dren!' the preacher croons to the terrified boy and girl hiding in the cold, dark cellar... innocent young lambs who refuse to be led astray.
Directed by
Charles Laughton; Robert Mitchum (uncredited).
Written by
Davis Grubb (novel); James Agee (screenplay); Charles Laughton (uncredited).
Starring
Robert Mitchum (Harry Powell); Shelley Winters (Willa Harper); Lillian Gish (Rachel Cooper); James Gleason (Birdie Steptoe); Evelyn Varden (Icey Spoon); Peter Graves (Ben Harper); Don Beddoe (Walt Spoon); Billy Chapin (John Harper); Sally Jane Bruce (Pearl Harper); Gloria Castillo (Ruby (as Gloria Castilo)). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A Finely-crafted Thriller
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
The Night of the Hunter harks back to an age when directors didn't need to resort to extremes of make-up, violence and foul language to portray evil in a convincing and chilling light. Director Chris Laughton brings together fine acting performances, a fine script and superb cinematography to great effect in re-telling the story of deranged 'preacher' Harry Powell and his ceaseless quest to get his hands on thousands of dollars of cash. Genuine empathy is created for the two children and Rachel Cooper who takes them and the other local children under her protective wing. And despite the evil Harry Powell masquerading as a preacher, the audience is left in no doubt that he, and his brand of Christianity, are both frauds. The Night of the Hunter is a well-paced depiction good vs evil, or, as displayed on Harry's knuckles: LOVE vs HATE.
