Review of The Night of the Hunter (1955) by Rory P — 27 May 2009

I've found a new favorite character in Harry Powell. The pure and unfiltered evil that Mitchum displays for his character is too intriguing for words. The love/hate thing is iconic and can be found everywhere (from Punch Drunk Love to Do the Right Thing to Cape Fear ('91) to Raising Arizona and Rocky Picture Horror Show).

I love Laughton's use of shadow play and the composition of the shots. The shots of Shelly Winters underwater are both beautiful and sickening. Laughton's use of front projection to achieve the shot of Powell riding on the hill while the children hide out in a barn is pure genius. The production design and cinematography take the story off the plane of reality as we know it and thrusts us into a nightmarish world. It is another film that I can use to explain why BW films are better than color ones.

The only tiff is the last act of the film. I think Ruby's love for Powell seemed unnecessary and detracted from the plot immensely. Everything about the last act was there just to tie up loose ends and it feels artificial. If Laughton extended the film another 15-20mins and took that time to explore the third act and the film's overall theme (instead of having Lilian Gish preaching it to us) in a natural and non-invasive fashion, the film would be a masterpiece.