The Night of the Hunter Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 177

Average Rating: 3.3/4

# of Ratings: 180

Theatrical Release Date: 09/25/1955

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 11/16/2010

Language: English

Genre: Thriller, Drama

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: Charles Laughton

Actors: Robert Mitchum, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Lillian Gish, Shelley Winters, Peter Graves

Plot: Two young children who are basically left alone meet a killer posing as a preacher who is after their stack of their father's cash.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/19/2019

Charles Laughton had only one directing credit to his name, and it was this unnerving noirish thriller.

Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/19/2012

Superbly paced and Robert Mitchum takes his spot for me as one of the best cinematic villains of all time with his self-appointed preacher persona. Beautifully shot - this is a chilling film that will stick with you.

Unknown - wrote on 07/28/2012

A haunting tale that is photographed beautifully. The entire movie is told from the point-of-view of the children and it adds a nightmarish quality to the chase. The addition of biblical morality only makes it all the more interesting.

Matthew Brady
Movie God

“It’s a hard world for little things.”

Matthew Brady - wrote on 09/24/2021

The story is about a religious fanatic marries a gullible widow whose young children are reluctant to tell him where their real daddy hid the $10,000, he’d stolen in a robbery.

‘The Night of the Hunter’ is a movie that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of dread in every frame. I went into this knowing only the small plot description (the same one above the paragraph), and certain shots that I have seen around on social media through film related sites. What surprised me the most is how uncomfortable and eerie the movie is, which at first, I wasn’t sure if it was just me that was experiencing this. But when it finally clicked with me, then I knew I was in for something...interesting.

The character Harry Powell, an evil charlatan preacher who takes advantage of anyone in his …

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

The Night of the Hunter review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 02/21/2013

"Children are man at his strongest." Ben Harper (Peter Graves) is about to get caught and hanged for his crime. Before the police arrive, he leaves a message to his children to John (Billy Chapin) and Pearl (Sally Jane Bruce). Reverend Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) marries Ben's wife and tries to persuade his kids. Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish) takes care of the little ones after they escape from an encounter with Powell.

The screenplay, one of its highlights, was effective and not too preachy. Had some very clever lines like "The right hand, friends, the hand of love. Now watch, and I'll show you the story of life. Those fingers, dear hearts, is always a-warring and a-tugging...Now watch 'em! Old brother left hand, left hand he's a fighting, and it looks like love's a goner. But …

Yojimbo
Movie God

"The Night Of The Hunter" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 01/16/2012

A self-styled preacher and woman hating murderer insinuates himself into the life of a young widow whose husband stashed his stolen loot somewhere at his home. Night Of The Hunter has a lot to commend it; Robert Mitchum's creepy performance concretes his Cape Fear inspired reputation as film noir pyscho of choice and he is ably aided by a hollow eyed Shelley Winters as the unfortunate victim of his attentions and Lillian Gish as the goodhearted, wily old bird who ultimately proves his undoing. And as for the visuals, there are more stunning images to be seen in this single film than most directors manage in their entire career. Unfortunately, the performances of the children just don't measure up and seeing as they are the lynch pin of the entire story, this harms the film's …