You Need to Watch THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Here I explain (with clips!) what I love about Charles Laughton's classic film The Night of the Hunter.
If you'd like to purchase my preferred version of The Night of the Hunter (the one I'm holding), go to the link below:
(affiliate link): amzn.to/3opzsb1
Finallyl! A review that takes in that most under-rated and under-valued member of a film crew, namely, the cinematographer. Some great directors have made some very good movies but their really GREAT movies all have really great cinematographers, like William Fraker for Roman Polanski's 'Rosemary's Baby', or Curtis Harrington's 'Games', just to name one.
One of the main reasons this movie was unsuccessful when it was initially released was because audiences felt very uneasy about seeing Robert Mitchum playing so far out of character. Not only was he playing a villain, but he was playing a particularly despicable villain; namely a murderer or women and children. It has since been recognized as a great motion picture but, unfortunately, too late for Charles Laughton to appreciate that fact.
Watched this last night and was truly impressed. Mitchum’s preacher is one of the most loathsome villains on screen and Lillian Gish was superb as Cooper.
One of my favorite scenes is near the end of the movie, where the boy exclaims "He ain't my dad!" Watching Miss Cooper poke Harry Powell in the back with a 12-gauge was a real 'eye-opening' experience! 🙂
Ha! That’s one of the my favorite parts too! It’s always fun to see people’s reactions when that happens!
This film is a masterpiece. The kid who plays Jim puts in an amazing performance. This is a must see for any film buff!!
John, not Jim.
Just got chills remembering that montage on the river with that eerie beautiful song playing
I just saw the movie and it sure looks beautiful. I was impressed by the music too. Some of the most visually impressive films I've seen are Metropolis and Stalker.
This was a mesmerizing beautiful picture despite the subject.
The thing that is so jarring about Powell is that his scream, which we hear 2x, is just so high pitched and whiny - it gives him away as the coward he really is.
Absolutely amazing cinematography in this film. Highly recommended!
This film is a family favorite,because we children had a great aunt who much like Lillian Gish‘s character was a woman with horse since and on fire for the Lord who instilled a sense of wrong and right in us kids that helped us to be better human beings. RIP Aunt Tilly💐
The extras on the Criterion release sound worthwhile.
It's by far one of my favorites from the collection! Plus, considering how financially-unsuccessful movies were usually treated back in the day, i.e., The Magnificent Ambersons, It's a miracle how much behind-the-scenes footage we have of the film!
Great review! Most beautiful films for me:
Days of Heaven (1978)
Casablanca
Blade Runner
Breaking the Waves
The Piano
The last Unicorn (1982)
Nosferatu (1979)
My mom introduced me to this film when I was a kid, and I knew after one viewing, how special it was..its unfortunate they couldn't see that when it opened... Only now, people get it...I got it at 12 years old...
That’s awesome! I had a very similar reaction to it on my first viewing and it’s always confused me why it got so many bad reviews when it came out. I would have loved to see more films directed by Charles Laughton but I guess in a way this being the only one makes The Night of the Hunter even more special.
It was way ahead of it's time....Laughton was a visionary..He had an excellent story, great actors, wonderful cinematography, and a moving soundtrack..I feel like I've done my part by telling everyone willing to listen how wonderful it is...I feel so lucky that it had a regular home on my local movie channel in NYC during the 60s and 70s..I watch it all the time..I didn't know about the extras available..I'm on the hunt...
Thank you for your amazing review. I have been a fan of Charles Laughton for years. His wife Elsa was also very talented. I find it very sad that he did not do more films. You picked up on all the nuances of this film.
Definitely my all-time fave film!
Best movie I’ve ever seen
It’s an utter Masterpiece.
This one absolutely, the cinamtogrophy is amazing
Laughton's masterpiece everyone is great bravo Charlie
This is by far the best review I have seen of this film, a real favorite.
I have never seen the Night of the Hunter, but now, after stumbling across Joshua's review and watching it, I'm going right over to Ebay to order it.
Glad to hear it! The Night of the Hunter is one of my all-time favorites!
I’d have to say, when you asked at the end which film is most visually striking and beautiful, I’d have to say “The Wizard of Oz”. Whenever they’re running through the poppy fields and the Emerald City is there, “at last, at last…” and the 2 of the group who are alive not by magic (brilliant) start falling asleep, and the Scarecrow and Tin Man panic, it’s so palpable, and then Glinda is superimposed to make it snow… gets me every time, even though I’ve seen it so many… the idea that a benevolent force is watching and can tip the scales back in our favor when all else is lost if our intent is just.
When she falls to Oz in the house, and everything goes from the really exaggerated sepia- practically brown and white- and she opens the door and everything outside is brilliant and plasticine and the Munchkinland water is sapphire blue, and the Ruby Slippers appear on her feet… they’re so brilliant. Definitely The Wizard of Oz for me.
Mitchum was also wonderfully cast as the malevolent bully in William Wellman’s Track of the Cat (1954).
I know I'm late, but love your video dude!
Love from Brazil.
Thanks!
Great review! Thank you! You covered so many aspects of this film and made me appreciate it more. Well researched. I didn't know about the extra Laughton footage. Thanks! A great film.
I saw this movie 6 or 7 months ago, I loved everything about it! I know I'll end up watching this again.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As for 'beautiful films', if I thought about it longer I'm sure I could think of several, but the first one that came to mind was the 1947 classic 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'.
Great choice!
This would definitely be one of the most beautiful B&W films I've seen. Coincidentally, I think Do the Right Thing is one of the most beautiful. But I'd have to go with The Red Shoes if pressed!
Those are both great choices!
Most visually striking films: What Dreams May Come; O Brother Where Art Thou; Red Badge of Courage.
Eyes of my mother … beautiful brutal film
Great movie
As for the most beautiful film I've ever seen, it's kinda hard to choose, but at least today I'd have to go with 1996's Peter Greenaway film 'The Pillow Book'. It's definitely like a piece of art!
Great review / insight man
Thanks!
Another highly perceptive analysis of a great film, love your taste, I wish you would do a piece on The Magnificent Ambersons.
Thanks! I’ll keep that one in mind!
I'm surpised you didn't mention the source of the expressionist sets. As Danny Peary explains in his volume 3 of "Cult Movies", the sets are taken from the book's illustrations, which were drawn by the book's author. The trip down the river is magic. The remake with Richard Chamberlain is not, as it resolves halfway through the action of the original, and Gish's character never appears.
2001 Space Odyssey is my most beautiful film.
Great choice!
Visually perfect? The Thin Red Line.
Great choice!
Charles Laughton wasn't great at dealing with children, and didn't much care for the child actors in NOTH. It was Mitchum who mostly dealt with them, reassured them, and was responsible for helping with their performances in the movie.
If you can find it, check out the 1983 TV Movie 'Killer in the Family' for another chilling Robert Mitchum performance as the ruthless prison escapee Gary Tison, who dragged his three sons down with him on a murder spree after they broke him out of an Arizona Prison. Based on a true story.
Nice! I'll have to check that out! Mitchum really does a great job as the villian!
@@JoshuaSutlive For now, that movie is available right here on TH-cam. Maybe you can review it, or the original 'Cape fear'.
One of Shelley Winter and Robert Mitchum movies
Some beautifully shot films:
Sunrise
Woman in The Dunes
Soy Cuba
Barry Lyndon
Days of Heaven
Mazeppa
House of Sand
The Fall
La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc
Amelie
Time skip..Young hearts be free tonight.. Time is on your side.. Don't let em put you down, don't let em push you round..Don't ever let them change your point of view...😎
Any cinematography by Sacha Vierny.
This is based on a book which is based on a true story. Unfortunately the real man murdered the children along with their mother.
I like the striptease scene with the knife.
Ran