Post by naterdawg on Feb 21, 2017 1:46:51 GMT
I couldn't find anything here about THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, directed by Charles Laughton and starring Robert Mitchum as psychopathic "Harry Powers." As a ten year old, I caught this lyrical masterpiece on late night TV--an experience I've never forgotten! Haunting, beautifully filmed, wonderfully scored, exceptionally directed, and containing what I consider to be the best "psycho" performance EVER (Mitchum is utterly amazing), The Night of the Hunter is truly a unique gem. Don't expect gritty realism, because you won't find it. Instead, there's an odd, disquieting "displacement" to the story, as if it might have been extracted from a child's memory--which is perfectly understandable, once you see the film.
Though there are riveting scenes galore, my describing them to you would be a disservice to Laughton and his exceptional cast and crew. TCM shows The Night of the Hunter every now and again, and the MGM DVD should be available for rental. I will say this: my favorite sequence involves two children (John and Pearl) floating down a river in a sciff. The girl sings a song about a "pretty fly" which has stayed in my head for over four decades!
Though there are riveting scenes galore, my describing them to you would be a disservice to Laughton and his exceptional cast and crew. TCM shows The Night of the Hunter every now and again, and the MGM DVD should be available for rental. I will say this: my favorite sequence involves two children (John and Pearl) floating down a river in a sciff. The girl sings a song about a "pretty fly" which has stayed in my head for over four decades!
