FilmFellas Forgotten Greats. The Night Of The Hunter: 3 Reasons Why You Should Watch This Movie

[@masontarwater]

I think the reason many of us love this movie is that it is so much like a dream, it truly haunts you for the rest of your life. Film-makers love it because the images tell the story, the visual design is unsurpassed, duality of love and hate, good and evil, love fear hope dreams - wise. Shows how you can penetrate the sub-conscience with compositions & light.

[@thefilmfellas]

What a wonderful summation, thank you so much for taking the time to respond

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

I'm glad you gave Laughton the actor the appreciation it deserves. It's so sad that this film bombed at the time. This is all too often the fate of genius. Laughton the actor has been somewhat forgotten too. I'm sure he'll come back though now that so many pple (including me) are refugees from the modern shootemup, depressing, computer-generated, violent, action obsessed movies and watch these older much better films. I think one of Laughton's greatest films, most moving is Rembrandt, directed by Alexander Korda. The greatest painter portrayed by the greatest actor. As one commentator said, If Charles Laughton doesn't break your heart, you haven't got one.

[@sjmsutherland]

I love this film, Robert Mitchum was an amazing actor who was truly terrifying in this film!! It's dark, it's an awesome film and one I watch a lot, as it's a favourite of mine! This is a perfect film about overcoming fear and finding safety and comfort. When he pursues the children whilst singing that song there is a dread, you hope they will be ok and by the end if the film, you hope they will be saved. He is truly creepy in this film, he really makes it!! This in my mind is Robert Mitchum's best film!!

[@wickedminx5014]

This has long been one of my favorite movies. I am surprised it was a commercial failure in its day. Mitchum is truly frightening. I think the cold-blooded killing and the hunt for the children by this serial killer were disturbing enough to have offended the sensibilities of the movie-going public of its time.

[@thefilmfellas]

Glad you love the movie too, it's amazing isn't it the films that sometimes bomb on release but actually are really good movies.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

@@thefilmfellasLaughton was a genius. Genius is all too offended misunderstood and rejected in its own time, only to come into its own later. I'm glad you commended Laughton.

[@thrillerbarkofficial]

My favorite film Robert Mitchum is amazing

[@jago76]

Agree with the praise, but one eleement that makes the film is the contrast of Mitchum's evil character to the goodness of Lilliann Gish's character --and also the little boy who sees through him from the start.

[@thefilmfellas]

Totally agree... thank you for taking the time to comment

[@bettymiller1929]

I remember trying to watch this movie when I was a kid and my dad came in and shut it off- I never forgot it and finally got to see it as an adult which was a surprise because I didn’t even know the name of the movie

[@thefilmfellas]

Amazing story, glad you love the movie too

[@davidhyman7566]

Great episode that does justice to this wonderful allegory on good and evil! I hope many others watch this, learn and then watch and enjoy the film.

[@thefilmfellas]

Thank you so much David for the kind words.

[@HeatherQuinlan]

There are no Love/Hate tattoos on DeNiro's fingers in Cape Fear, I had remembered it incorrectly myself.

[@darrenhoskins8382]

My fave slightly overlooked films The New Leaf, Went The Day Well, The Man in the White Suit, Lifeboat, The Spy in Black

[@xbubblehead]

Two movies that scared me the most growing up were this one and "Invaders from Mars", mainly I think because the protagonists were boys about my age.

[@stewartkee6115]

I don't think this classic is forgotten.

[@TheAdArchive]

Down with this. Sounds like a great movie. Definitely tracking it down.

[@thefilmfellas]

Definitely do, I believe you can watch it on Prime

[@darrenhoskins8382]

Oh and Ace in the Hole

[@theshrubberer]

i really need to differ with this recommendation. I saw this movie in NYC with a full theater at Cooper Union in the 80s. it was billed as "most terrifying movie, banned ..etc" First public screening in decades. Full house of film enthusiasts strapped in to be terrified. Movie starts. Riotous contagious laughter ensued at the unintentionally funny campy acting and absurd action. EVERYONE left shaking their heads at how undeserving this was of its reputation. It was rubbish and still is despite people finding reasons to praise it. Sorry the emperor has no clothes.

[@ignatiusjackson235]

I bet you think A Serbian Film is "like, all deep 'n stuff, y'know, man."

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

This is a tiny minority opinion. You missed the boat totally. You have to grow up to see greatness.

[@MamasBadger]

Maybe you just have bad taste

[@michaelme1548]

I don’t completely agree with this review but it isn’t completely wrong either. With the exception of children, I don’t see how anyone could find it frightening. It is disturbing. Some of the scenes, particularly the first one, are horrible while others are great. It’s a mixed bag but well worth a watch. It’s an interesting movie. People should go into it knowing when it was made. There is a melodramatic tone that was common at the time that would seem odd to a lot of modern moviegoers. The more old movies you watch the more you acclimate to it in a similar way to modern over the top action. You get used to them.