Be warned, this classic of cinema is not for everyone: it was released in France in 1956, it is the only film of its director and the best performance of the main actor Robert Mitchum. It’s obviously Night of the Hunter, which is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
The plot is the story of Harry Powell, a rogue preacher who has just been released from prison. In order to get hold of the treasure hidden by his ex-convict, he goes with his widow and two children. His presence and insistence on finding money will gradually cause embarrassment to the whole family.
How could such a simple story enter the history of cinema? This is due to several factors, the first of which is probably the way it tells its tale (two children abused and manipulated by an “ogre”, a monster) by combining dark themes and real problems (recovery from money).
The relationship between the preacher and the children has the same kind of disturbing awkwardness that can be experienced in a movie like Killer Joe by the late William Friedkin. The main characters of the two feature films have in common that they are not recommended and allow themselves to be treated by others as if they were their own. A very dangerous combination.
And if, due to its release date (1956), Night of the Hunter doesn’t go as far as 2012’s Killer Joe, Charles Laughton’s film (his only realisation, a common point he shares with many actors) still has plenty to chill your blood.
His secret? Its minimalism in effects and the assurance that Robert Mitchow knows how to fill the character with what is needed to be scary, crazy and unpredictable. And in making these decisions, Lawton was right. Mitchum comes across as a terrifying threat and with every word we fear that he will go too far. All the while using very few demo effects and no destroyed effects.
Experimental and very dark for its time, Night of the Hunter was a complete commercial failure. But his designs inspired by German Expressionism, his choice of a child’s point of view, and his way of redirecting the codes of the fairy tale made him an object of cinephile adoration. To view or re-view without moderation!
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
