The Night of the Hunter

Unique noir gem. Just as Robert Mitchum has LOVE tattooed on one hand and HATE on the other, so too does this cult classic across take two forms. Is it a thriller or a fairytale? In the opening half, with the two murders and the construction of the story, it looks like the former. But in the second half, the children on their escape pass rabbits, frogs, foxes, ducks and meet an old lady who looks like the grandmother from Little Red Riding Hood. A very special movie you will love. Francois Truffaut described it as the most iconic of cult films. Definitely worth watching, if only for the magnificent black and white cinematography. (07/20/2009)

A (non)noir (non)Christian (non)fairy tale that captivates with its peculiar atmosphere and charismatic villain, but trips over its own feet with shoddy sets, appalling theatrical overacting by the entire cast, and an annoying duo of kids in the lead roles. (08/20/2015)

The question remains as to whether Robert Mitchum is truly such a perfect actor or if he just shines compared to most of the other actors involved. Except for the adorable and believable Sally Bruce in the role of Pearl, the other key characters drained the life out of me with their foolish behavior and the clumsy expression of all manner of emotions from the actors portraying them, which is most glaringly true for the young actor portraying the main hero John, Billy Chapin. His every fear or relief is incomprehensible suffering. Even with better casting, the story of an invincible wolf in sheep's clothing would be nothing more than a tired old tale, permeated with randomly appearing positive or reformed characters and overly saccharine moral messages. (03/11/2017)

A repulsive Robert Michum in the role of a murderer without a conscience who threatens his adoptive daughter with ripping off her arm if she won’t obey him. A beautifully filmed noir drama about stolen money and children who are supposed to look after it. The breakneck ending rather spoils the overall effect. An ode to the strength of children. (01/10/2022)

An interestingly constructed "thriller for the little ones", which in two different halves compactly polemicises the nature of human love and hate. Perhaps if they hadn't gone so overboard and worked more on the characters (the boy, for example, hates Mitchum automatically and without reason from the start), even the transition between suspenseful noir and family tale of hope and the balanced clash between good and evil would have felt even more believable and whole. Still, high praise for the pleasant storyline, great performances and impressive game with lights, which in few films I have seen playing such an important role. It's a pity it has so much religious filler, although it probably wouldn't have worked without it. (03/02/2017)

Gritty film noir and at the same time a story about how children run away from the evil... man, because one doesn't even want to call him a wizard, although it would actually fit. Robert Mitchum is truly amazing and his duel of his left hand with the right is captivating and terrifying. Beautiful film that takes your breath away, because this is such an interesting combination that you simply can't help but be amazed. (01/05/2015)