Review of The Night of the Hunter (1955) by Alex T — 05 Apr 2015

This is easily one of my top 25 films of all time.

I love everything about it.

The film begins with Harry Powell, one of the greatest villains of all time. He's a serial killer and a religious fanatic at the same time, and that rocks! Then, the film just gets better and better. The horror tale becomes creepier and darker. And it works flawlessly in black and white. I couldn't imagine watching The Night of the Hunter in Technicolor.

I love how the pace and the suspense grow to the final act where they hit the maximum. The same thing happens in Rear Window, which is my all time favorite film.

Charles Laughton sure knows how to use a great score and soundtrack to scare the shit out of the audience. Just listen to it!

The "Leaning" scene made me drop tears. It was so powerful and deep at the same time. It may be one of the greatest moments in the American cinema.

I also found the ending to be very satisfying. Perhaps it is the best ending that Harry Powell could ever get.

So I find this movie to be a masterpiece. The very definition of a film noir. It's a shame Charles Laughton didn't direct anything else.