Review of The Night of the Hunter (1955) by Kenr — 03 Nov 2019

The strange fact-based story about “Reverend” Harry Powers, written by Davis Grubb, was turned into this equally strange film by first-time producer Paul Gregory. Gregory gave the directorial responsibilities to his friend Charles Laughton and the task of adapting the screenplay to Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Agee (AKF: “A Death in the Family “an.

Autobiographical novel). Laughton claimed part-writing credits but this has been heavily disputed since the finding of Agee’s original screenplay - showing the film to be shot as written by Agee. While Laughton has chosen to give his 1955 film (set in the 30s) the look of something that may have been produced in the silent era – he sometimes adds the odd unintentional laugh – these come via curious characters dotting the equally strange sets and situations. It was also evident Laughton had trouble with the kids. Perhaps the real power of this bizarre work should be credited to Director of Photography Stanley Cortez. Cortex has fused the film with striking visual atmosphere - adding an ethereal mood to the already dark story of a psychologically deranged ‘preacher’ serial killer. Whoever called the shots, between the two of them, they certainly left us with a haunting visual treat – who could ever forget the long blond hair flowing within the river currents, intertwined with the long wisps of river growth! The casting of stars from the silent era also gives the film an older look but there are undoubtedly many superb scenes to be enjoyed throughout this, at times, unsettling story. There’s an effective music score by Walter Schumann along with an odd casting choice of Mitchum as the hideous ‘reverend’ but at least the horror elements were subtle and not in-your-face like the current cheapies some have become used too.