Review of The Night of the Hunter (1955) by Joe L — 14 Nov 2009

I wish I could have seen this when I was a kid. I would have made all my friends sit through it, just to watch them get scared. this is an ultimate child's nightmare on multiple levels: that evil's pursuit will take the form of a priest, seduce your mother, kill both your parents, and force you to go on the run, in the dark.

it's designed to arouse every childhood terror, through a heightened, almost tim burton style. robert mitchum sinks his teeth into the villain role with the same gusto as hopkins/lecter. it's scary, but also great fun at the same time.

visually reminded me of some of the greatest silent films. see it to understand what your parents had nightmares about as kids.