The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 black and white classic that wasn't as lauded when it originally debuted. The premise is a tough one today let alone in 1955. Based on the novel written by Davis Grubbs, it tells the story of an itinerant preacher, the Reverend Harry Powell, turned serial killer who tries to charm a widow out of $10,000 left to her by her executed husband. Her husband robbed a bank, hid the money, told the secret location to his children, and was later hanged for his crime. He shared a jail cell with Powell who gets released and then pursues his prey, mainly the children. The “preacher” is based on a real-life serial killer by the name of Harry Powers who in reality committed far more heinous crimes. Executed in 1932, he was one of the first men in U.S. history to truly be labeled a “serial killer”. You can imagine this was difficult material to translate into a film in addition to finding a receptive audience, especially in the 1950s.
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“It is one of the most frightening of movies, with one of the most unforgettable of villains, and on both of those scores, it holds up … well after four decades.”
– Roger Ebert
The Night of the Hunter‘s producer, Paul Gregory claimed, “absolutely no money was spent on promotion”, it opened in Gregory's hometown of Des Moines, and the film was even denied release by a Roman Catholic diocese at the time. Today it is considered #34 on the American Film Institute's “100 Years…100 Thrills” list along with Rev. Harry Powell as #29 in their category of “100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains”.
My 15-year-old son, Jack, is a cinephile and has been for as long as he knew what film meant. He has excellent taste, both esoteric and classical in terms of choices. So, when he told me about this classic, I was all in. We watched it with the lights out, and – in a very unusual move from 2 talkative teens – I was told “no talking!” It was spellbinding and stressful and I loved the shadowy, looming, out of perception imagery.
Teen reviews:
Jack, 15
“Robert Mitchum gives one of the best performances ever. Lillian Gish gave a good performance as well.”
Tom, 13
“A really good horror movie. The acting is very good. Robert Mitchum had the best performance. If you watch the movie, I recommend having no distractions whatsoever as it is an atmospheric movie.”
Robert Mitchum starred in Cape Fear and the Story of G.I. Joe along with numerous roles to his credit, but this may be his most chilling, dead-eyed believable one. Frightening isn't a strong enough word. Lillian Gish was one of the most legendary stage actresses of all time – some say the most legendary – and I thought her performance as Rachel Cooper was luminous. I've probably used “luminous” to describe something maybe 5 times in my life? She was extraordinary in her role. I need to put more of her films on my list to watch. The scenes between these 2 are tinged with menace and fear and you don't know what will happen.
Not knowing what will happen is the heartbeat in this film. Isn't that what you look for on any given night of entertainment? Check this classic out but leave a light on somewhere while you do!
