The Night Of The Hunter

The Night Of The Hunter
Released Date: November 24, 1955
Director: Charles Laughton
Actors: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Peter Graves, Don Beddoe, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce, Gloria Castillo, Emmett Lynn, and Corey Allen

     The movie is a hit now, but when it was first released it was not. The director, Charles Laughton, said that he would never direct a movie again. Which was the truth. This was the director's last film. Robert Mitchum was never one to talk about his career, the different movies he was in, but later on in his life, Mitchum said that this was his favorite movie that he acted in, and that Charles Laughton was his favorite director that he worked with. Mitchum wanted to play a preacher, and wanted this part very badly. Good thing!!! He was perfect for the part. This has a great cast, and one that makes the movie even better. It made it even better, knowing that Mitchum really was in jail at one point. He made it that much more convincing.

     Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish) starts the movie out. By talking to all of the children she takes care of, explaining life, and that you have to be careful who you let into your life. Taking the bible into the explanation and the wolf in sheep's clothing. After her speech, we go to a preacher, Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum). He is on his way down the road in a car. Talking to the Lord with his knuckles showing the words "Good" and "Evil" written on his fingers. He believes that everything that happens is for a reason, but that all of the things he goes through are God taking him in the directions. Willa Harper (Shelley Winters) has just lost her husband. He had been arrested and hung for murder. Her husband gave money he stole to his children. Who is in the same cell as the husband but Harry Powell. Powell overhears his cell mate talking in his sleep about the money. Powell tries to get the man to tell him where the money is, but never gets the actual location, except that his children know. After Powell gets out of jail, we see him in the same town as the widow and her children. If you said "Uh Oh" you're right. Powell marries Willa and brainwashes her. Powell tries desperately to get the children to talk, and to point him in the direction of the cash. It is a wild ride, and a great movie. Very creepy at times but well worth it. This movie is well directed, and well acted. You'll have goosebumps.

     One of my favorite things about this movie, besides the creepiness of it, is that the coloring in it is amazing. The black and white coloring is creepy and well done. The shading is great, all of it.