I had not seen Night of the Hunter before last year. I received it through the mail via Netflix. I don't remember exactly how I heard about the film, but I think it was mentioned on one of the podcasts that I listen too. Once I had viewed it, I realized my life would never be the same again. I know that sounds like hyperbole but I had a very similar reaction after having seen Pulp Fiction for the first time. And Pulp is now my all time favorite film. I have a feeling that Night of the Hunter will challenge Tarintino's breakthrough for that top spot for years to come.
Night of the Hunter is a film about a murderous psychopathic preacher who while in prison learns of a fortune hidden at the home of a recently widowed woman from his cell mate / her husband. The catch? He doesn't know where the money is hid. The only ones who do are the woman's children and they swore an oath to their father that they wouldn't tell anyone.
This demon of a preacher is played by Robert Mitchum. He is perfect in the role. He is sweet and charming when need be, but he is nefarious and perverse at the same time. His dark side only serves to make his pretend good seem all the more sinister and manipulative.
The wife is played by Shelly Winters. The first time I saw this film I remember thinking that she wasn't all the good, but now I have totally came around. I think that she was doing exactly what was needed of her. Lillian Gish plays a woman that takes in the children once they run away. She is a strong holly woman. She is the perfect adversary to Mitchum's character. There are a few other supporting characters in the film and they all serve the plot well.
I would be amiss if I lead you to believe that this film lives and dies on its performance. I consider Night of the Hunter a masterpiece because of its visual style and usage of the camera. There are camera shots and movements in the movie that I have never seen before or since. And they are not showy (most of them). They truly help to set a scene or move the plot forward. There are few, if any, establishing shots. Everything is constantly providing the viewer with some new bit of information to chew on.
Some of the famous shots are of the kids in the boat floating down the river, an under-water sequence that still blows my mind, the framing when Mitchum and Winters are in the bedroom, Gish sitting in the rocking chair with her shotgun. The style is very heavily influenced by the German Expressionist films of the 20's and 30's. There is also a southern Gothic look and feel to the movie. This could have been a more pulpy Tennessee Williams play. The music in the film is terrifying and permeates through out most of the film. Mitchum singing "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" is one of the most disquiet versions of a hymnal I can think of.
The film is also known for the LOVE and HATE tattoos Mitchums character has on his hands and how he explains why a preacher has these blemishes.
As I mentioned, this films was directed by Charles Laughton. This is the only movie he would direct. I have read that Hunter was not well received and Laughton said something to the effect of "If people can't appreciate my art then they won't get anymore". He would die 7 years later.
My exquisite girlfriend got me this Criterion Blu Ray for Christmas. It looks wonderful and it is chocked full of extras. I could go on expelling the virtues of this movie but I expect to be watching and writing about Night of the Hunter several more times this year. I give Night of the Hunter a perfect 5/5 stars. Due yourself a favor and check out the Trailer Park and give it a look.
No comments:
Post a Comment