![]() In the novel, he’s recast as an ex-convict turned self-proclaimed ‘hellfire’ preacher, instead of a carpet-sweeper salesman. Powers was executed in 1932 for the murder of five people, but he’s thought to have been responsible for many more. He specialised in exploiting young, widowed mothers whom he’d kill along with their children, after appropriating their savings. Some critics have suggested he saw something of himself in Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), the Bible-thumping murderous psychopath that energises The Night of the Hunter’s narrative… but that’s rather a stretch!ĭavis Grubb based his 1953 novel on the real case of Harry Powers (an alias of Herman Drenth), who was a serial killer during the Great Depression long before the term existed to label him. He enjoyed a loving and happy marriage with Elsa Lanchester before his ‘closet’ homosexuality morphed that into a deep and lasting platonic friendship. A ‘lapsed Catholic’, expelled from a Jesuit college for “indecent behaviour during a religious service,” Laughton became known for his reading tours in which he performed rousing passages from The Bible alongside the works of Jack Kerouac. It was a late career move for the renowned actor, who would only appear in a handful of films after, including one of his most memorable lead performances as Sir Wilfrid Roberts in Witness for the Prosecution (1957).Īs an eloquent discourse on good and evil, Night of the Hunter appealed to his turbulent relationship with religion and concepts of sin he’d wrestled with all his life. No doubt, it’ll be snapped-up by existing fans who won’t need to read this review to convince them! However, I hope it helps bring it to a new audience, as this gripping psychological thriller, exquisitely shot in beautiful black and white, with a twisted hint of humour, seems fresher than ever.Ĭharles Laughton had already directed for the stage, but this was his feature debut and turned out to be his only film as director. So, this high-definition digital restoration, from the original camera negatives, is a welcome addition to the Criterion Collection’s boutique Blu-rays, presented in a handsome double disc package packed with excellent extras. Either definition is applicable to this genre defying mid-century masterpiece that remains just as engrossing and effectively shocking over six decades on. In modern usage, ‘sublime’ simply means an extreme beauty, close to perfection. ![]() It’s always better than I remember it being! The original meaning of the word ‘sublime’ was something possessed of a ‘terrible beauty’ that stirred the emotions into a state akin to fear. Night of the Hunter is a film I’m familiar with, having watched it several times over the years, but I’m invariably astonished by its dark beauty, perfect performances, and the sheer brilliance of its storytelling.
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