The Night Of The Hunter (1955)

Mitchum Amazes In This Stylish Nightmare

- Reverend Harry Powell wouldn't know the Bible if it stabbed him in the leg with a switchblade, yet he continually claims to be a man of God as he travels the country murdering widows and stealing things. When one particular evil deed lands him in jail, he learns that his heading for the gallows cellmate has hidden ten thousand dollars back home. Upon his release from prison, Powell attempts to get close his cellmate's widow and children to find the cash any way he can; and knowing the good "preacher," those ways aren't usually so nice.

Robert Mitchum is spectacular in every scene as the wolf in sheep's clothing Harry Powell. This "preacher" is one of the most memorable villains ever seen on film - he's crazy, but he's unfortunately not crazy enough to not know or be in control of what he is doing. He says that he kills because it is what God wants when in fact it is only because it is what he wants, when confronted about what religion he belongs to he replies "the one that the Almighty and I worked out betwixt us." Powell is not a religious fanatic, he's worse, excusing his evil deeds with a religion he made up in his own head. In a character that could very easily go over the top with the wrong delivery, Mitchum really gets into the role and keeps Powell believable and frightening with every outburst, song, scream, or subtle expression.

Mitchum really commands this character, and subsequently the film as a whole, with extreme skill but Lillian Gish and the young Billy Chapin also impress in their roles as well. Chapin does very well as perhaps the most interesting character in the film: the young John. Chapin is only 12 years old in the film but he is very intense and doing some very mature things that other child actors would not be able to handle well throughout the film. Gish is fantastic as the strong woman of God and surrogate mother Rachel Cooper. If you thought that The Night Of The Hunter was an anti-Christian film, you stopped thinking this once Rachel enters the picture. A stark contrast to the the murderer in preacher's clothing Harry Powell, Rachel is steadfast Christian soldier, protector and caregiver to the children; a beacon of light in a world of darkness

Being frightening and beautiful at the same time is a reoccurring element throughout Charles Laughton's one and only directed film The Night Of The Hunter. The film looks and feels like a child's nightmare as reality mingles with surrealism throughout the film, though admitting this results in somewhat of a lack of atmosphere early on. However, the film recovers fast and heads down its freaky and visually splendid road until the end.

Suspense is plenty here in The Night Of The Hunter, whether that comes from the shocking imagery or the unpredictable actions of Mitchum's Powell. The majority of shots are carefully set up and manage to give a very eerie feeling but for a number of reasons, either because of the brilliant cinematography, Walter Schumann's excellent score, the creepy art direction, or a simple shot choice, a sense of beauty and otherworldliness coincides along with the frightening picture (the kid's ride down the river is especially fantastic, it could be my favorite scene of all-tiem). When Robert Mitchum's extraordinary and unforgettable performance is added to the mix, The Night Of The Hunter is a violently powerful thriller.


CBC Rating: 10/10