Director: Charles Laughton
Starring: Shelley Winters, Robert Mitchum, Peter Graves, Sally Jane Bruce, Billy Chapin
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 93 minutes
Extras: New digital transfer made from 35mm film elements restored by UCLA Film & Television Archive in cooperation with MGM Studios, with funding provided by the Film Foundation and Robert B. Strum, Optional original uncompressed Mono PCM audio & 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack, Charles Laughton Directs The Night of the Hunter – A two-and-a-half-hour documentary on the making of the film featuring outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage, Archival interview with cinematographer Stanley Cortez, Original theatrical trailer, Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly artwork by Graham Humphreys, Booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic and filmmaker David Thompson.
The words ‘masterpiece’ or ‘classic’ are perhaps bandied about too much these days. Certainly few modern films aren’t deserving of such praise and that’s because, more often than not, they lack originality. However, Charles Laughton’s THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, based on the same-titled novel by Davis Grubb and adapted by James Agee, is the epitome of both. Another film that failed to connect with critics and audiences during its original cinematic release in 1955. Going on to become a major flop. Since then, it has gone to rightly be applauded as an absolute must see and important work of art. All aided by an outstanding, yet terrifying central performance by the late screen icon Robert Mitchum, who frankly was never better than here as Harry Powell, a mysterious bible-quoting preacher who takes a shine to Shelley Winters and her two children.
What is perhaps most upsetting about that initial frustration is that it was acting icon Laughton’s first and only directing gig. So disappointed with the response he never stepped behind the camera again. Passing away some seven years later. His film is a masterclass in building suspense in much the same way as Hitchcock, with Mitchum’s icy charm in slowly courting Winters’ Willa Harper, later chilling as he turns his attention to her two offspring. It’s an intriguing plot development that could cause outrage and taken the wrong way these days, yet the innocence lost here is that of two kids growing up with out a father… and later a mother. The stranger riding into town and sweeping their mother off her feet, does so for the love of the lord… and more then a little greed. Even early on he’s lost cost of the number of victims in his past. Believing these two youngsters hold key to the whereabouts of their late criminal fathers hidden stash. He’s definitely a psychopath willing to go any lengths in following his own twisted instincts and moral code, quoting scripture and sermons while looking to the heavens for guidance.
Most disturbing about Mitchum’s performance is that he moves with a lack urgency. Slowly and almost silently making another devious plan while trying to warm to these two. Put a mask on him and he could easily be Michael Myers as he sports a deadly flick knife and unsettling knuckle tattoos! They’re not buying it though and sensing something wrong in this guy that their mother and the townsfolk seem to miss. Particularly Sally Jane Bruce’s Pearl, who’s absolutely terrific here. Powell’s dog-collar facade doing nothing for her as he hides behind its fearsome quality and (whilst not wanting to be controversial here), a clear sign of the times that highlights the simple acceptability of the faith put in figure of authority – a supposed man of the cloth in this case.
Given its period of making, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER was never going to drop jaws with its deep blacks and pale whites, even with a remastering. Still, the cinematography looks gorgeous and uses shadowing to eerie effect. It is truly deserving of its title of one of the underrated classics of an era that even now has us claiming they don’t make them like they used to. A true great that needs to be seen for any film fan worth their salt.
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER is released on Blu-Ray on Monday 28th October, 2013.
