The Night of the Hunter Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A creepy preacher with finger tattoos terrorizes some kids for money hidden in a doll while channeling his inner cartoon villain.

🍿 The Night of the Hunter: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Harry Powell and Ben Harper

The film opens with a seemingly idyllic scene disrupted by news of a murdered woman. Simultaneously, Reverend Harry Powell, a traveling preacher and serial killer, is introduced. Meanwhile, Ben Harper steals $10,000 to provide for his family during the Great Depression, killing two men in the process. Before being apprehended, he hides the money and makes his children, John and Pearl, promise not to reveal its location.

Powell’s Pursuit of the Harper Family

Ben is imprisoned and shares a cell with Powell, who learns about the hidden money. After Ben’s execution, Powell seeks out Ben’s widow, Willa, and her children, John and Pearl, determined to find the stolen money. Powell charms and marries Willa, using his religious persona to manipulate her and gain access to the children.

The Children’s Escape and Journey

John distrusts Powell from the start, while Pearl is more susceptible to his charm. As Powell’s obsession with finding the money intensifies, he becomes increasingly menacing. Eventually, he murders Willa. John and Pearl escape down the Ohio River in a small boat, pursued by Powell. The journey is visually striking, with surreal and dreamlike imagery.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum): A sinister, self-proclaimed preacher and serial killer who seeks to find the hidden money through manipulation and violence.
• John Harper (Billy Chapin): The intelligent and protective young boy burdened with the secret of his father’s stolen money.
• Pearl Harper (Sally Jane Bruce): The innocent and impressionable younger sister, unaware of the true danger surrounding her.
• Willa Harper (Shelley Winters): A gullible and religiously devout widow who is easily manipulated by Harry Powell.
• Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish): A compassionate and strong-willed woman who protects orphaned children and becomes the children’s guardian.
• Uncle Birdie Steptoe (James Gleason): A kind-hearted but flawed friend of the Harper family who tries to help John and Pearl.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Harry Powell: “Love and hate. Love. Hate. These are the two hands that are always fighting. Look at them! The left hand is hate! It pulls you down, it pulls you down! The right hand is love! It lifts you up, lifts you up!” – Powell explains the meaning of his hand tattoos, showcasing the internal conflict of good and evil.
• Harry Powell: “It’s a hard world for little things.” – Powell says this in a seemingly sympathetic tone, masking his sinister intentions towards the children.
• Rachel Cooper: “They abide and they endure.” – Rachel reflects on the resilience of children in the face of hardship and evil.
• Harry Powell: “Chilllldren…” – Powell says this in a drawn-out, haunting manner as he pursues John and Pearl, becoming one of the most recognizable elements of the film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $795,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $5,105

💥 The Night of the Hunter Reviews

Personal Review

I’m still haunted by The Night of the Hunter. Mitchum is terrifying as Powell, and the river scene is just breathtaking. The stark black and white adds to the sense of dread. It’s not a fun watch, but it’s an experience. The scene where Powell is silhouetted against the sky, singing, still gives me chills. It’s a must-see for any film noir fan. It is a great movie and it will stick with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate visually striking and artistic filmmaking”
  • “People who enjoy stories about good versus evil”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Religious themes”
  • “Child endangerment”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Laughton’s only directorial effort is a haunting masterpiece, blending film noir and Southern Gothic elements. Mitchum’s portrayal of Powell is iconic, and the film’s visuals are striking and unforgettable. The film’s power comes from it’s ability to create suspense and terror.
• Variety: “A suspenseful and visually stunning film, but not for all tastes. The film’s stylized approach and dark themes may alienate some viewers, but Mitchum’s performance and Laughton’s direction are undeniable.
• Sight & Sound: “A truly original film, with an exceptional cast and brilliant visuals that make it a landmark in American cinema. Laughton takes risks and it pays off.

Audience Reactions

Robert Mitchum’s terrifying performance as the villainous preacher is widely praised.: Viewers consistently highlight the film’s striking cinematography and dreamlike quality.

Many find the suspenseful story emotionally moving and unforgettable.: Fans agree on the movie’s unique blend of film noir, thriller, and Southern Gothic elements.

Overall Consensus: A disturbing and visually arresting masterpiece of suspense, elevated by Robert Mitchum’s chilling performance. It is one of the best film noirs of all time.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Charles Laughton only directed one film in his career, ‘The Night of the Hunter’.”
• “Robert Mitchum considered Charles Laughton his favorite director.”
• “James Agee, the screenwriter, was a highly respected film critic and writer.”
• “The film was a box office failure upon its initial release and was critically panned, but has since become a celebrated classic.”
• “Some of the scenes involving the children’s journey down the river were intentionally filmed to look artificial, creating a dreamlike or fairytale quality.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Night of the Hunter?

The Night of the Hunter is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for television airings or consider purchasing the physical DVD or Blu-ray for a high-quality viewing experience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Night of the Hunter, you might like these similar films:

• Cape Fear (1962): Features Robert Mitchum as a menacing figure terrorizing a family, similar to his role in ‘The Night of the Hunter’.
• Psycho (1960): Another suspenseful thriller from the same era, with a focus on psychological horror and unsettling themes.
• No Country for Old Men (2007): A modern thriller with a relentless and almost supernatural villain pursuing their targets across a vast landscape.
• The Witch (2015): Thematically similar in its exploration of religious extremism and the corruption of innocence, set in a historical context.

🛒 The Night of the Hunter Related Products

• The Night of the Hunter (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Criterion Collection Blu-ray featuring a pristine transfer, insightful essays, and bonus documentaries. Restored and remastered.
• Love and Hate Knuckle Ring Set: Show off a reminder of the film with this ‘Love and Hate’ knuckle ring set, inspired by Reverend Harry Powell’s iconic tattoos. Durable, adjustable, and ready to make a statement.
• The Night of the Hunter (David Grubb Novel): Experience the source material with David Grubb’s novel, delve deeper into the story, and explore the origins of Charles Laughton’s film. Discover the intricacies of the novel in the book that started it all.
• The Night of the Hunter – Limited Edition Movie Poster: A high-quality, limited edition print of the original movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for this classic film noir masterpiece.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Night of the Hunter features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dream, Little One, Dream” – performed by Walter Schumann
• “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” – performed by Traditional Hymn

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Night of the Hunter (1955) Trailer – The Criterion Collection

Are you ready for a truly unique and haunting cinematic experience? Check out this trailer for the Criterion Collection release of ‘The Night of the Hunter’, a classic film noir that will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

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