THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER REVIEW | Mitchum, Laughton, Behind the Scenes, Kino 4K vs Criterion & More!

Today we are giving our long awaited review of THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Having recently purchased and watched the Kino 4K release, the 4K Kings are here to discuss. We review the film in it's entirety as well as discuss the Kino release in comparison to the Criterion.
Have you seen The Night of the Hunter? Which edition do you own? Let us know below!
00:00 Intro / The Night of the Hunter released by Kino
01:23 Background / Inception of The Night of the Hunter
03:18 Review Part 1: Robert Mitchum is a Boss
06:14 Review Part 2: The Cinematography
09:17 Review Part 3: The Music / Dreamlike Experience
11:08 Review Part 4: Lillian Gish & The Message of the Film
12:55 KINO 4K Review: Picture Quality and Comparing Features from the Criterion Release
17:18 Conclusion
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[@4K_Kings]

Have you seen The Night of the Hunter? Which edition do you own? Let us know below! 00:00 Intro / The Night of the Hunter released by Kino 01:23 Background / Inception of The Night of the Hunter 03:18 Review Part 1: Robert Mitchum is a Boss 06:14 Review Part 2: The Cinematography 09:17 Review Part 3: The Music / Dreamlike Experience 11:08 Review Part 4: Lillian Gish & The Message of the Film 12:55 KINO 4K Review: Picture Quality and Comparing Features from the Criterion Release 17:18 Conclusion

[@bh7622]

Nice review. Saw this for the first time in a film class at Georgia Southern University in the late 90’s. As a newer resident of the south at that time, I was blown away by the eerie southern gothic depiction and Mitchum’s performance. Charles Laughton came out of the box with one of the best film noir of all time. The film is perfect and the Criterion Blu ray looks beautiful in OLED. I expect the 4k cut to be even more gorgeous.

[@TheFoxxsean]

I’ll buy a copy of Criterion’s version 👍🏻

[@Suduaya]

I saw this movie for the first time around 1997 when i was about 11 y.o, by accident. I was spending the night over at my 25 y.o sister's appartment. She was sleeping in her bedroom, while i was sleeping on the living room couch. I quietly turned the TV on late at night and the movie was running. The images, the music, the sound of RM voice, watching it secretly in the dark, got stuck in my head since then. Last year i got the Criterion blu ray, what an upgrade, it's one of the best movies ever made, a gem of a classic. Great to see a 20 mins video of you guys talking about it

[@Sorryunomore]

Lillian Gish, "the First Lady of American Cinema," is one of the greats. Her performance as a foil to Mitchum is one of my favorite parts of this movie.

[@richsadler2661]

I loved this deeper dive into a classic. I’m definitely going to revisit this one, as it’s probably been 20 years since I’ve seen this one. Thanks guys

[@4K_Kings]

Thanks, Rich! I can't wait to revisit it again as well!

[@0nehundred]

The Night of the Hunter is so well done. Looking forward to throwing this 4K in the player soon. Excellent review guys!

[@994pt4]

gotta have both Criterion BD and Kino 4K one of the best films ever made.

[@444chroma]

Ya'll are right on point because I just watched it this week and I loved it! I can still hear Mitchum singing leaning on the everlasting arms oh my god it's so creepy. Damn convincing in that role. Really enjoyed the cinematography music and hymns too. On my TV the HDR really improves the black levels (I can sometimes get flickering on SDR content) so I'm very glad I picked up the Kino

[@missusmoon3867]

My favorite movie 😊

[@buffbill60]

So interesting. The imagery looks amazing. Now I’ve got to see it. Thanks 👍

[@4K_Kings]

You won't be disappointed!

[@robertfaulkner1824]

The big chill el dorado with John Wayne. Never seen dead man with him and Johnny depp. Mitchum is always great

[@4K_Kings]

I can't believe I've been missing out for so long.

[@thrillerbarkofficial]

Best movie ever made Robert Mitchum is magnetic as the priest

[@Danjoker.]

I'm excited to watch this movie now!

[@txag007]

Well I am sold! ::pulls out the wallet:: I can already feel the eye roll of my wife opening another package with a movie in it! :D

[@4K_Kings]

You won't be disappointed!

[@johnathantownsley6170]

Never seen this movie before but I will pick it up thanks for the review.

[@4K_Kings]

You won't be disappointed!

[@4bobbyt]

Isuggest you see Mitchum in his first major role in the 40s, STORY OF GI JOE. He was a prolific, if not versatile actor. A major star for RKO in mostly film noir (OUT OF THE PAST) or military and occasional westerns. In 1948 he was arrested on marijuana charges, which was a major scandal in those days. He had a great, long career. A shame he has been mostly forgotten. This film is his best work. The producer had worked with Laughton in live theater performances, and Laughton reluctantly agreed to do this. He was shattered by its failure and stuck to acting.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

He was never able to direct another movie. Couldn't get funding. What a tragedy! Fate of genius.

[@Starkardur]

This is an early example of a movie that is heavily influenced by older styles of films and puts a new spin on it.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

Like German Expressionism.

[@gregcord3886]

I had LOVE and HATE tattooed on my fingers years ago as an homage, love this movie….glad you enjoyed it too! 😊

[@4K_Kings]

Did you remove the tats?

[@gregcord3886]

@@4K_Kings noooo, they’re still there, along with many others! Lol

[@Nukeskywalker45]

awesome! and bonus that it's referenced in Rocky Horror Picture Show!

[@raisedonfiction]

I'm gonna have to check this one out.

[@4K_Kings]

Don't miss it, Marc! When's your next video going up?

[@raisedonfiction]

@@4K_Kings probably this weekend. Stay sexy!

[@robertfaulkner1824]

I actually watched this when they were highlighting Mitchum on criterion channel. Is it the best movie ever made? It’s better than citizen Kane and vertigo (which are often put forward as such)

[@4K_Kings]

I watched Citizen Kane the night after I watched this. I enjoyed it, but loved Night of the Hunter a hell of a lot more.

[@robertfaulkner1824]

@@4K_Kings first time watch of Kane? It’s been a looong time for me. I sought it out bc of it’s status. 25 years old wrote directed produced stars in first feature… that’s insane. The editing was revolutionary back then. But night of the Hunter is enthralling. Like how you put it… you just ate it all up. Still looking forward to criterion’s release of the trial in 4k. Directed by Orson wells starring Anthony Perkins based on a Kafka novel… never seen it

[@KirkRedgate]

I’d upgrade if it was out in the UK but I’ll probably stick with my Arrow Blu-ray. It’s a fantastic film for all the obvious reasons, gothic masterpiece. Do you guys like Carnival of Souls? It gives me similar vibes.

[@4K_Kings]

Never saw it, but ill look into now that you've said that.

[@Ringmaster138]

Man, I was content with my Criterion Blu Ray but this video convinced me to get the Kino 4k. I should have it by the end of the week!

[@4K_Kings]

You won't be disappointed. Have you watched the doc on your criterion? I'm thinking about picking it up at the half off sale just for that

[@Ringmaster138]

@4K_Kings it's a great documentary. Well worth the admission, but wait for the 50% off Criterion sale at Barnes & Noble in July. There is no need to pay full price since you're getting it for the extras and booklet only now.

[@oscarburrows-rangel3302]

Definitely buying this from Kino now after seeing your video. P.S. Are you going to talk about the "Showgirls" disc recall in an upcoming episode? Keep up the great job, fellas!

[@4K_Kings]

You won't be disappointed in the Kino release. And I just found out about the recall as well. Bummer, but it looks like VS is doing the right thing. Hopefully this is just a one off.

[@robertfaulkner1824]

@@4K_Kings vinegar syndrome is so legit.

[@triplr3777]

I could listen to slick willy friedkin talk all day long

[@russceasetheruss5360]

He's the Wayne Newton of filming car chases.

[@1001johny]

Yakuza is my favorite Mitchem film. If it ever gets a 4 K release, check it out. Seriously

[@box510motorcycles3]

I've never seen this. Last time I blind bought a release I hadn't seen that got this much hype was Touch of Evil. It was ok, but I didn't get the hype. Maybe I'll wait until a Kino sale or try to see it on streaming somewhere first.

[@4K_Kings]

Check it out on Kino if you can, so you can enjoy the restoration. It is night and day compared to when it was first released, and it looks beautiful.

[@patsayjack402]

I think Universal is remaking this right now

[@russceasetheruss5360]

I can't wait to see Timothy Chalamet show Mitchum how it's done right.

[@michaelme1548]

Night of the Hunter is an oddity. There is so much that is brilliant about it but the occasional bit that is clunky.