I feel the same way you do. I recently saw it for the first time on a cold rainy night, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The cinematography, acting, story and symbolism was superb.
This was the perfect juxtaposition between someone who believed in what she preached and someone who used the very same words, books and songs to deceive and destroy other vulnerable people.
Anthony Wayne Pettus well he did genuinely believe it, he just believes in the darker nature in faith, notice when he uses his blade it’s with the hand that is tattooed with love.
During his boyhood Robert Mitchum spent a year bumming across America as a classic tramp. He encountered sone real backwoods communities where people would believe anything you says if you had a Bible in your hands. He drew off that for this role.
@@FilmBuffBros I'd say in the scene in the car, he's not praying to God. He's not even talking with God. Powell uses God for his own evil goals, and he treats God like a puppet on strings. So maybe Powell uses the word "God," and maybe he "talks" to God, but he doesn't believe in God.
Pointedly, Lillian Gish’s character invokes the name of Jesus in the song while Mitchum’s character does not, as if he were some sort of demon who cannot mouth the name of Jesus. This is an extremely powerful scene, with lighting that is breathtaking.
I can't help but laugh every time Mitchum sings this song. He sings it so good too. What an actor. He should have won an Oscar for this. My favorite Mitchum performance. What an actor.
The rabbit are the kids (Prey) while the owl is the preacher (Hunter) like in reality the little ones will always fall prey to the big and powerful hunter like a cat preying on a mouse or lion preying on a monkey, deer, in the end these defenseless creatures will ultimately be hunted and killed.
This scene is probably my favorite in the whole movie. It really encapsulates the corruption of faith that Powell represents even in the subtlety that in his version of the song omits Jesus from it
I love the contrast. Big burly nasty man. Frail little old nice lady. They share a brief moment where he repeats his often used song to unnerve his victims, while she does not let it phase her one bit and she serves it right back at him letting him know how the song really sounds like coming from a real pure of heart.
I watched this TWICE today. Holy crap! Robert Mitchum played the psycho killer brilliantly, it was terrifying. And Rachel Cooper is my new hero WOW! Protecting those kids like a mama should. The most surprising interaction was how Rachel showed Ruby the right kind of love after she admitted to going to town to be with men. That's unconditional love and teaches her that she her mistake doesn't define her. I know it's just a movie but I loved everything about it.
only when the light stands firm and vigilant. A candle too bright blinds you from seeing the hunters in the dark. Blow out such overzealous things if you wish to take up the vigil. it's a hard world for little things
Powell's Love/Hate monologue is shown here in song form. Powell's evil preacher is gleefully singing the song as a sort of war chant, one that shows how calm he is knowing what he plans on doing. But like the monologue said, Love, despite looking like it was out, comes back and beats Hate. And so Willa matches Powell's song with her own, sung eloquently and gently, to show him that she is not scared. She shows him that his tactic is not working, and in a strange way that love will conquer hate
I wish that Charles Laughton had directed more films. This was a wonderful movie but the critics gave it a hard time and Laughton was discouraged and never directed again. Very unfortunate.
As a French pupil, we saw this movie when I was 17, and this scene has always astonished me. I don't know why but this melody regularly comes to my mind, I find it so amazing... 3 years later, I continue listening to this beautiful melody.
1:27 Hitchcock Probably pay a homage to this scene in Rear Window. The scene where they almost get caught by the serial killer because the girlfriend turned on the lights from across the room
This movies not anti-religion, but anti religion being used in deceitful ways. The preacher can fool the people, by acting like a stariotipical holy man, but Lillian gish's character is really the holy person and can see through the preachers act. This scence shows the preacher pretending to be holy by singing a hymn, but Lillian actually puts jesus into the song, revealing it's TRUE meaning.
Great scene in an absolutely stunning film! This movie deserves to be considered in the top ranks of cinema noir --it is as fabulous today as it was on the day it was released.
This is way better then most all Christian films. It shows the difference between someone who uses religion and charismatic personality to deceives people and someone who uses true Biblical love and care to help people.
She almost fell, the way the others did! It was his sincerity and his tone of voice. But she only came out of it when the light (from the girl who was prone to crushes) came on and snapped her out of her trance. VERY underrated movie.
I saw this movie on TV back in the late 50's. I knew then it was a classic. Over my life I have seen the best films ever made and the worst. Both have their own uniqueness. Few people today can appreciate the genius movies like this have within them. The lighting and imagery that only a black and white film can achieve.
What a stunning underrated black & white masterpiece of film! All throughout this movie, we see such malevolence lurking in the shadows. Truly frightening with such scenes of terror!
@Randy White When it was first-released,it was not deemed a commercial or artistic success. It was the only film made by its director, Charles Laughton. It was only many years later that it was given its proper due and recognition.
In the 1997 documentary series Dope Sheet, John Kricfalusi, creator of The Ren & Stimpy Show, considers The Night of the Hunter as his all-time favourite film; he has praised it for its direction, art direction, and acting
The preacher represents power, lust, greed and violence. He sings out of lies, manipulation and subversion of true religion. He distorts the Old Testament for his own degenerate purposes. Lillian Gish takes up the song and adds New Testament salvation through Jesus Christ. She represents true and saving religion. She sings of charity, not the manipulation of the preacher's empty slogans of Love and Hate.
@@petrakupper7098 I've watched this movie many times over the years and was unaware of the book that this movie was based on. I'm going to read it. Thank you!
Then I got it!! Powell really don't lean on nobody but himself, he talks about the Lord and whatnot, even invoking him in private, but he's a predator he ain't trusting nobody, so he can't really lean on anyone.
My way of see it is that she begins to sing because she starts to feel scare of him, so she prays to the lord to give her the strength to defeat Powell.
First time I watched the movie last night. Such a masterpiece. So deep, so true, it’s very scary because the movie is very true and it blows the whistle on some “cracks” inside the Church. The little boy has been asked to keep a secret by his father. A terrible and heavy one, to protect his sister and himself. This secret traps those poor kids and sadly they are left alone. Parents failed their kids. Uncle knew and closed his eyes and turns to alcohol. Neighbors are to devoted and naive to realize what’s happening. That false pastor, using the name of God to justify all his sins (misogynistic but still watching a woman dancing half naked, a thief but to build a church…) The only solution for these kids is to runaway, run away from church and those who claims representing God. But lucky for them they met a true kind heard, a true believer acting in the name of God and love. That’s what’s saving the kids. We are not really talking about stilling money and keeping secrets right. It’s clearly a parable like in the Bible! Such a beautiful story and very actual in 2023.
“What do you say to a man that by his own admission has no soul? Why would you say anything? I’ve thought about it a good deal. But that wasn't nothin' compared to what was comin' down the pike. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. I don't know what them eyes was the windows to and I guess I'd as just as soon as rather not know. But... there is... another... view of the world out there and there are... other... eyes... to see it and that's where my story is goin'. It has done brought me to a place in my life I would not of ever thought possible to come to. Somewhere... out there... is a true and living prophet of destruction and I don't ever want to confront him again. I know he's real... I have seen his work... I walked in front of those eyes... just once... and I wont ever do it again. I wont ever again push my chips forward and stand up and go out there to meet him. It ain't just cuz I’m getting older. I really wish it was. I can’t say that it's even what you are willin' to do in such a situation because I always knew that you had to be willin' to die to even do this job. That was always true. Not to sound glorious about it or nothin' but you do. If you ain't... they'll know it and they'll see it in a heartbeat. I think it is more like what you are willin' to... become... and I think a man would have to put his soul at hazard. And I wont do that... not again... not ever again... and I think that now... certainly I never would.” - Cormac McCarthy, No Country For Old Men
Reverend Harry Powell is one of the scariest (and realistic) psychopaths ever shown on screen. Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Joker, Chigurh, even Hannibal Lecter... they aren't a patch on characters like Harry Powell. Evil just for the sake of being evil.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Great, 'duet'!!😊😊
The audacity of having Good and Evil sing a duet. Breathtaking.
You know that the villain is pure evil when he casually sings in plain sight while knowing that his target is armed and can easily shoot him.
I watched this film as a child, crapped the living daylights out of me. I’m 65 years old now and still remember the words of song like yesterday…
I feel the same way you do. I recently saw it for the first time on a cold rainy night, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The cinematography, acting, story and symbolism was superb.
When the lady starts singing alongside Powell I started thinking about Powells sermon about the right hand and the left hand.
The sound of the bunny rabbit screaming was actually the sound of a guinea pig.
The night of the hunter is an incredible great classic movie that better than every other movie in this genre, makes you feel horror and sadness.
This was the perfect juxtaposition between someone who believed in what she preached and someone who used the very same words, books and songs to deceive and destroy other vulnerable people.
Anthony Wayne Pettus well he did genuinely believe it, he just believes in the darker nature in faith, notice when he uses his blade it’s with the hand that is tattooed with love.
During his boyhood Robert Mitchum spent a year bumming across America as a classic tramp. He encountered sone real backwoods communities where people would believe anything you says if you had a Bible in your hands. He drew off that for this role.
If Harry Powell doesn't believe in God, why does he talk to God while he is alone driving in the stolen car during the second scene of the film?
@@FilmBuffBros I'd say in the scene in the car, he's not praying to God. He's not even talking with God. Powell uses God for his own evil goals, and he treats God like a puppet on strings. So maybe Powell uses the word "God," and maybe he "talks" to God, but he doesn't believe in God.
Beware of false prophets
The way he so smoothly takes advantage of the candlelight to disappear is so well done and absolutely terrifying.
This is hallucinatory!
Pointedly, Lillian Gish’s character invokes the name of Jesus in the song while Mitchum’s character does not, as if he were some sort of demon who cannot mouth the name of Jesus.
This is an extremely powerful scene, with lighting that is breathtaking.
I can't help but laugh every time Mitchum sings this song. He sings it so good too. What an actor. He should have won an Oscar for this. My favorite Mitchum performance. What an actor.
It's an incredible performance and probably his best but it's not his scariest.That would be Max Cady in Cape Fear. Just nasty!
favorite Roger Ebert actor
i absolutely agree robert mitchum was excellent as harry powell he should have gotten an oscar
I love❤ the albums he recorded ! I can’t claim the same for Clint Eastwood’s record😅
Mitcham was so fantastic in this.
When he sings, he leans on the words to press down on his prey. When she sings, its to raise someone up, to strengthen
Nicely put
Lillian Gish was so good in this. It's amazing. She brings me to tears with her simple statements of true and strength.
She fills in the words he can't say (Lean on Jesus, lean on Jesus...).
One of the most beautiful and quietly powerful depictions of good vs evil that we'll ever see.
"It's a hard world for little things"... Goosebumps
Imprescindibile 📽
0:21 amazing shot
The symbolism in this movie is amazing.
What are some examples? :)
@@FilmBuffBros - The rabbit & owl is one.
I'm not good at catching symbolism, could someone explain it to me?
The rabbit are the kids (Prey) while the owl is the preacher (Hunter) like in reality the little ones will always fall prey to the big and powerful hunter like a cat preying on a mouse or lion preying on a monkey, deer, in the end these defenseless creatures will ultimately be hunted and killed.
This scene is probably my favorite in the whole movie. It really encapsulates the corruption of faith that Powell represents even in the subtlety that in his version of the song omits Jesus from it
It’s as if yo say the evil can’t say His name
I love the contrast. Big burly nasty man. Frail little old nice lady. They share a brief moment where he repeats his often used song to unnerve his victims, while she does not let it phase her one bit and she serves it right back at him letting him know how the song really sounds like coming from a real pure of heart.
To be lulled to sleep.
I watched this TWICE today. Holy crap! Robert Mitchum played the psycho killer brilliantly, it was terrifying. And Rachel Cooper is my new hero WOW! Protecting those kids like a mama should. The most surprising interaction was how Rachel showed Ruby the right kind of love after she admitted to going to town to be with men. That's unconditional love and teaches her that she her mistake doesn't define her. I know it's just a movie but I loved everything about it.
This is my top 50 best movies ever.
صراحة لحد الآن اتعحب كيف لم يفز نجم مثل روبرت ميتشوم بجائزة الأوسكار عدا على ما اعتقد جائزة أوسكار فخرية عن مجمل أعماله
I like how during song Lillian says Leaning on Jesus. Powell never speaks the name of Jesus in the song or the whole movie.
And modern moviemakers say there were no strong female characters...
They don't understand what strong means
As she sings against him, she has an aura above her head. Light always wins against darkness.
only when the light stands firm and vigilant. A candle too bright blinds you from seeing the hunters in the dark. Blow out such overzealous things if you wish to take up the vigil.
it's a hard world for little things
And the Right hand of Love always beats the Left hand of Hate.
Light didn't win against dark for the kids mother...
The same aura was around Shelley Winters as she waited for the end. Masterful.
The use of light and shadows is absolutely amazing throughout the whole movie. It's a damn shame Charles Laughton never directed another film.
This song gets stuck in your head, so haunting on Mitchun's beautiful baritone voice. Masterpiece.
The owl watching and swooping on the rabbit is symbolic of a predator
Powell's Love/Hate monologue is shown here in song form. Powell's evil preacher is gleefully singing the song as a sort of war chant, one that shows how calm he is knowing what he plans on doing. But like the monologue said, Love, despite looking like it was out, comes back and beats Hate. And so Willa matches Powell's song with her own, sung eloquently and gently, to show him that she is not scared. She shows him that his tactic is not working, and in a strange way that love will conquer hate
One of the creepiest scenes in cinema ever. Pure brilliance
I wish that Charles Laughton had directed more films. This was a wonderful movie but the critics gave it a hard time and Laughton was discouraged and never directed again. Very unfortunate.
seriously?! I thought the acting, cinematography and even the soundtrack really slapped (meaning it was very well made) for its time
This is an awesome movie!
Kim M tis true, soundtrack doth smackith
Agreed.
What a Masterpiece!
Sing that song in a church it might sound normal...
Sing it in the pitch dark and it's @#$%ing terrifying.
I scared a friend of mine doing this.
@@Jiddy12345 Really or are you joking?
As a French pupil, we saw this movie when I was 17, and this scene has always astonished me. I don't know why but this melody regularly comes to my mind, I find it so amazing... 3 years later, I continue listening to this beautiful melody.
Just love the "film noir" effects of this classic film. Exceptional!
His voice is captivating.
Robert Mitchum starring as pure evil. A true villain.
I grew up with this hymn. Hearing it used in such a way has chilled me to my core.
I remember I saw this as a kid, and this scene has stuck with me for all these years.
Lilian Gish was one of the true stars of the silent era who made the transition to the talkies.
This song is dangerously catchy.
What an unbelievable masterpiece, so much ahead of it's time!
No, that was its time. We have declined since 1955.
@@ChristianGustafson Film certainly has. I'll give you that one
Im like 90% sure that owl was tied to a tree
Night of the hunter is almost like a tale told around a campfire.
I think it's like what an American Brother's Grimm story would be.
A lot of people see this film as a fairytale.
A duet of good vs. evil.
This movie is almost 70 years old and this scene is scarier than most horror movies made now.
This cinematic image is called German expressionism , it’s dark and light contrasted …
1:27 Hitchcock Probably pay a homage to this scene in Rear Window. The scene where they almost get caught by the serial killer because the girlfriend turned on the lights from across the room
Rear Window was made a year before this one.
@@arthurlapeixoto hmm so it's the other way around then
@@ConanObrien22 Quite possible.
What type of disappearing effect was at 1:29? Somebody please answer!
Dunno about the how the light effect was done but you can see him ducking from where he was sat
@@samguest78 is there a name that describes when the actors do that?
@@robinhoodfoxmatt1197 dunno 😂
@@robinhoodfoxmatt1197 dude shut up 🤣
@@samguest78 what do you mean by ducking from where he was sat? Please answer my question
This is the soundtrack of the scariest film I ever saw as a teenager. Brrr...it was enough start humming it for my friends and I to shudder..!
I have watched hundreds of movies, and this is the single most suspenseful scene I can ever remember.
This film is soo good.
Had to watch Noght of the Hunter for a film class
Talk about grace under fire ,cool under pressure ... This has been my favorite movie for nearly 30 years!
2:00 there's a chord attached to the OWL.
Imagine if Mitchum does attend church and sung this sometime after the movie’s release.
Gad! The beauty of those black & white films. "Silver screen" indeed.
1: King Kong
2: Night of the Hunter
3: Citizen Kane
4: Godzilla (1954)
At 0:21 the silhouette of Rachel Cooper in a rocker with her rifle cocked is an ironic homage to the iconic painting Whistler's Mother.
This movies not anti-religion, but anti religion being used in deceitful ways. The preacher can fool the people, by acting like a stariotipical holy man, but Lillian gish's character is really the holy person and can see through the preachers act. This scence shows the preacher pretending to be holy by singing a hymn, but Lillian actually puts jesus into the song, revealing it's TRUE meaning.
Yes!! She calls on Jesus.
He didn't have a bad voice! Better than I could ever do, that's for sure.
He had a hit record in the 50's, "Thunder Road."
He had another one consisting primarily of calypso songs.
Great scene in an absolutely stunning film! This movie deserves to be considered in the top ranks of cinema noir --it is as fabulous today as it was on the day it was released.
This is way better then most all Christian films. It shows the difference between someone who uses religion and charismatic personality to deceives people and someone who uses true Biblical love and care to help people.
There ain’t much Biblical love in the Bible, Exodus 21:20 a prime example, and 1 Peter 2:16.
Still get goosebumps hearing him sing. Powell is a scary villain.
She almost fell, the way the others did! It was his sincerity and his tone of voice. But she only came out of it when the light (from the girl who was prone to crushes) came on and snapped her out of her trance. VERY underrated movie.
I don't see it that way, if he is singing, she knows where he is. Easier to shoot someone if you know where they are.
I saw this movie on TV back in the late 50's. I knew then it was a classic. Over my life I have seen the best films ever made and the worst. Both have their own uniqueness. Few people today can appreciate the genius movies like this have within them. The lighting and imagery that only a black and white film can achieve.
What a stunning underrated black & white masterpiece of film!
All throughout this movie, we see such malevolence lurking in the shadows.
Truly frightening with such scenes of terror!
@Randy White When it was first-released,it was not deemed a commercial or artistic success.
It was the only film made by its director, Charles Laughton.
It was only many years later that it was given its proper due and recognition.
This is, without a doubt, the most bone chilling thing I've ever seen
we watched this in my study of film class. It always creeped me out. cool movie though!
University of Manitoba?
What a masterpiece!
In the 1997 documentary series Dope Sheet, John Kricfalusi, creator of The Ren & Stimpy Show, considers The Night of the Hunter as his all-time favourite film; he has praised it for its direction, art direction, and acting
how fitting. a hunter of children (teen girls) his own self.
In Raising Arizona the line was "He was especially hard on the little things" as Tex Cobb blows a lizard to kingdom come with his sawed off shot gun.
In The Big Lebowski the final line is "The Dude abides" which is also a Coen Brothers film.
The preacher represents power, lust, greed and violence. He sings out of lies, manipulation and subversion of true religion. He distorts the Old Testament for his own degenerate purposes. Lillian Gish takes up the song and adds New Testament salvation through Jesus Christ. She represents true and saving religion. She sings of charity, not the manipulation of the preacher's empty slogans of Love and Hate.
so beautifully terrifying. one of my favourite films of all time
Such a great move
Good but A bit scary
There was only one Actor to play this role of the Preacher and that Man was Robert Mitchum.
Such a great scene, it gives me the creeps every time. The movie is a masterpiece, but you should check out the book it is based on too.
Diana Petruța Zota what book is it based on?
@@writtenbasket1129 Davis Grubb's "The Night of the Hunter"
is it different from the movie?
@@Cavirex It differs in some points, but both novel and movie are pretty dark and atmospheric.
@@petrakupper7098 I've watched this movie many times over the years and was unaware of the book that this movie was based on. I'm going to read it. Thank you!
Best scene of the movie. Still gives me the all-over jeebies!
I see what Scorcese did with Cape Fear remake
My grandmother has that same neck. And and just as fierce.
My favorite song in church in a dark film.
Robert De Niro used this movie as inspiration for his version of Max Cady in Cape Fear.
Then I got it!! Powell really don't lean on nobody but himself, he talks about the Lord and whatnot, even invoking him in private, but he's a predator he ain't trusting nobody, so he can't really lean on anyone.
2:02 shiver down my spine
Charles Laughlin directed and used theater stages for some of the river shots.
My way of see it is that she begins to sing because she starts to feel scare of him, so she prays to the lord to give her the strength to defeat Powell.
This is a brilliant film >> a classic !
First time I watched the movie last night. Such a masterpiece. So deep, so true, it’s very scary because the movie is very true and it blows the whistle on some “cracks” inside the Church.
The little boy has been asked to keep a secret by his father. A terrible and heavy one, to protect his sister and himself. This secret traps those poor kids and sadly they are left alone. Parents failed their kids. Uncle knew and closed his eyes and turns to alcohol. Neighbors are to devoted and naive to realize what’s happening. That false pastor, using the name of God to justify all his sins (misogynistic but still watching a woman dancing half naked, a thief but to build a church…) The only solution for these kids is to runaway, run away from church and those who claims representing God. But lucky for them they met a true kind heard, a true believer acting in the name of God and love. That’s what’s saving the kids. We are not really talking about stilling money and keeping secrets right. It’s clearly a parable like in the Bible!
Such a beautiful story and very actual in 2023.
Absolutely true 💯👍
“What do you say to a man that by his own admission has no soul? Why would you say anything? I’ve thought about it a good deal. But that wasn't nothin' compared to what was comin' down the pike. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. I don't know what them eyes was the windows to and I guess I'd as just as soon as rather not know. But... there is... another... view of the world out there and there are... other... eyes... to see it and that's where my story is goin'. It has done brought me to a place in my life I would not of ever thought possible to come to. Somewhere... out there... is a true and living prophet of destruction and I don't ever want to confront him again. I know he's real... I have seen his work... I walked in front of those eyes... just once... and I wont ever do it again. I wont ever again push my chips forward and stand up and go out there to meet him. It ain't just cuz I’m getting older. I really wish it was. I can’t say that it's even what you are willin' to do in such a situation because I always knew that you had to be willin' to die to even do this job. That was always true. Not to sound glorious about it or nothin' but you do. If you ain't... they'll know it and they'll see it in a heartbeat. I think it is more like what you are willin' to... become... and I think a man would have to put his soul at hazard. And I wont do that... not again... not ever again... and I think that now... certainly I never would.”
- Cormac McCarthy, No Country For Old Men
One of my favorite films of all time!
Me too. It's in my top 25! :)
very deep. Happy bday robert.
Reverend Harry Powell is one of the scariest (and realistic) psychopaths ever shown on screen. Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Joker, Chigurh, even Hannibal Lecter... they aren't a patch on characters like Harry Powell. Evil just for the sake of being evil.
Max Cady (both versions) are evil
Maaan....some people think they need to do remakes?! The Coen Brothers's True Grit is a Wonder-Full exception
1:27
2:06
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Does anyone remember this song from church?
Listen carefully. He never pronounces the name of Jesus. He is the Evil.
Awesome movie, awesome scene.....
Also in True Grit.
I've always wondered if the Coens intended for people to think of Night of the Hunter when they used it in True Grit.
I think the duet is supposed to show a) how genuine and false believers are difficult to differentiate and b) Jesus is there for all even the wicked.