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  | Night of the Hunter Average reader rating: 9.4 (44 votes) Reviewed by: David Henderson Reviewed on: 21 Jun 2003 Don't be fooled by the critics rave reviews. Just because its black and white doesn't mean it needs to be treated with reverence. Original it may have been and yes it has a handful of smattering of haunting and beautiful scenes but nowadays this effort is more likely to have you chortling in the aisles than hiding under your seats Reviewed by: Colin R Reviewed on: 19 Feb 2003 A strange and disturbing movie, whose images and sounds linger on in the back of the mind long after viewing it. A sort of Bradbury meets Hitchcock meets Stephen King meets The Twighlight Zone. Not exactly a shocker by current standards, but creepy and suspensefull nevertheless. Rural innocence, kindness, and generosity counterpointed with brutality, slickness, and greed. Babes in the Wood versus The Terminator. The stark black and white images, and the patently fake but beautiful screen sets add to the capivating story-book like atmosphere of the morality tale. Another highly evocative element for me, that I've never seen mentioned in other reviews, are the two haunting theme songs - the gentle lullaby "Hush, little one, hush", and "Leaning,leaning, leaning on the Everlasting Arm" (the latter sung with sinister irony by Mitchum's totally despicable preacher. Not surprised it never did well when released, but equally not surprised it's become a cult classic. Reviewed by: Johnny Bhinder Reviewed on: 11 Apr 2001 The most dark and intriguing film I have ever seen. My No 1! Reviewed by: Lowie Reviewed on: 13 Oct 2000 Ten, of course. See it or never know. Reviewed by: guest Reviewed on: 9 May 1999 You'll love the way suspense is built up - it makes you want to jump from your seat. With many scenes at night the lighting is dramatic, and the landscape becomes part of the nightmare. shocking what is seen as seedy - with a strong portion of religious imput. the rev. is wonderfully acted and makes a familiar character.. Reviewed by: guest Reviewed on: 30 Apr 1999 Absolutely unforgettable. Mesmeric photography and menace Reviewed by: guest Reviewed on: 8 Apr 1999 A unique film with a unique vision. A dark, darkly lit fairy tale where good triumphs but evil cannot ulitmately be undone - the children lose both of their parents before being saved. Mitchum is extraordinary. Some of the scenes and playing look to modern eyes naive and dated - but this builds upon its otherly-worldness. What remains with you are some remarkable images (Shelley Winters' last resting place, the purest fairy tale treatment of the boat ride down-river, and Mitchum's silhouette. But what finally remains, and this is its claim to greatness, is the profound dread it build up within you - of purest evil, and the damage it does - like waking from a nightmare that is so real that it is no comfort to tell yourself it was only a dream. Reviewed by: guest Reviewed on: 8 Apr 1999 A film for which the word 'unique' is, for once, appropriate. Reviewed by: guest Reviewed on: 6 Apr 1999 This film has an astonishing blend of childish fantasy and psycopathic rage. The plot might seem twee (young children against an evil "preacher" who tries to elicit from them the location of money hidden by their father) but director Charles Laughton sustained the tension throughout, coupled with some vivid cinematography (the scene of the corpse in the car on the river-bed is both ethereal and shockingly brutal). Mitchum's performance is full of quiet menace - easily his best performanc. Submit your own or return to film page.  | |||
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