Review of The Night of the Hunter (1955) by Darryl C — 28 Oct 2008

This film always affects me on a personal level. I have the same reaction when I see it that most people have to 'the color purple'. the story is simple. a psychopathic, self styled minister is chasing a hidden stash of 10,000 dollars. his search takes him to a young widow and her two children. he marries, then murders the widow. the children run off in to the night to escape what may be possible death.

Director charles laughton tells this story, which could be very grisly in someone else's hands, with a personal sensitivity to the child actors and to the great lillian gish, who plays rachel cooper, the protectress of the children.