It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I understand why this was Charles Laughton's only turn at directing; he thought he was still working in the decades that made him famous as an actor. For a movie made in 1955 the style is straight from the mid to late 1930s. Extreme facial close-ups, exaggerated expressions, unrealistic physical actions - all in an attempt to convey the director's interpretations of the script (which itself is highly suspect). The casting was a mix of truly talented people and hambone performers. Supposedly, Mitchum wanted it filmed in West Virginia for the correct setting, but Laughton used Hollywood studios and backlots to control the visual style he was imagining. I wish Mitchum had won the argument. It is reported that the principal actors all loved Laughton's directorial style and that he made their working experience very harmonious. That may due to allowing them to do what they wished with their performance rather than the director telling them what the he wanted. After all, Laughton was an actor rather than a director. In all, this movie would have been a better product with an experienced director working from a better script that did not try to infuse social and religious opinions into a simple thriller motion picture.

Having not seen Night of the Hunter in many years, I had forgotten its weak, unnecessary beginning, in which bad guy Robert Mitchum rambles on in order to make clear to the audience what a terrible person he is. It's an unfortunate choice, as Mitchum is so effective in his portrayal of a psychopathic preacher that the audience doesn't need it spelled out for them.Once the movie moves out of its odd exposition phase it gets better and better. Mitchum is a fascinating monster, and watching him crush the spirit of weak-willed Shelly Winters and play cat and mouse with her son is fascinating.The downriver scenes are truly remarkable. Shot by Stanley Cortez, who should have won an Oscar he was inexplicably not even nominated for, they have a lyrical beauty that stays with you.Night of the Hunter is a rather oddly structured movie, episodic and loosely woven. Most of this works surprisingly well, although there are moments, as when the writer makes the wonderful Lillian Gish spout ponderous biblical quotes, that feel highly unnatural.It's a shame director Charles Laughton never directed another film, as the single one he made is a suspenseful classic with wonderful performances and brilliant cinematography.

Who knew!?! Charles Laughton, the distinguished if sometimes hammy veteran actor, directed but one film and this near-masterpiece was the almost unbelievable result. Coincidentally, I've just recently watched and reviewed Orson Welles' butchered-but-brilliant "The Magnificent Ambersons" and now know that they were both shot by cameraman Stanley Cortez. He himself is believed to have once said he only worked with two directors who understood light, Welles and Laughton and it is clear from the outset and is sustained all the way through that he's working with a kindred spirit here.Some of the pictorial compositions are breathtakingly good - as well as the justly famous shot of Mitchum and his horse in silhouette travelling up and over a bridge in slow but sure pursuit of the two young children who are concealing the ill-gotten gains of their lately executed father (played by a young Peter Graves) there are memorable shots of Shelley Winters's doomed young widow returning to the house at night while Mitchum's evil preacher menaces her two children within and of course the scenes at the end when this situation is reversed and Mitchum is outside old Mother Goose Lilian Gish's house brazenly threatening intent as she devoutly out-sings him and reclaims God as being on her side in protecting her young charges.The story is as crazy as Preacher Harry Powell of course but helped by Laughton's sure direction, the viewer is held every step of the way. It's really just the grimmest, Grimm-est fairy tale brought to life with echoes of Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin and especially Hansel and Gretel as Powell pursues his relentless would-be slaughter of the innocents in his search for the missing $10000. Mitchum of course is brilliant as the bible-quoting, switch-blade toting psychopath, a role he was to play again just as effectively years later in "Cape Fear" although the duality of Powell's character and ability to charm all and sundry differs from Max Cady's single- minded mission in the latter film. I must also say I doubt I've seen better child acting than by the young pair here while the afore-mentioned Graves and Winters also come off well in their shall we say truncated parts.For a one-shot film directorial task it's almost amazing that Laughton came up with a dark thriller the equal of the best of Welles, Lang or Hitchcock and sad that he never got behind the camera ever again. Still, what a keepsake to leave behind, a remarkable, unforgettable film on so many levels.

Disturbing or daring movie?? what's genre?? very hard to find the answers after 93 minutes watching carefully this near masterpiece movie l surrender...fantastic atmosphere of fear and dark...Laughton on first e final directing with help of the novel's writer created a visual movie as originality and unusual methods and process...such things given to movie the dimension of the movie have today...it was dropped in theater when released but the time is the master of the truth... Mitchum is fantastic as preacher....the both kids are great too...and Lillian Gish after a long hiatus on the scream was fabulous as old farmer woman who helps homeless kids....James Gleason as Uncle birdie is amazing....so this movie is really a little gem of cinema for those known how appreciate a Cultmovie like this!!!