The Night of the Hunter (1955) movie poster

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

"It’s a hard world for little things."
ThumbScore
πŸ‘ 82%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 95% (RT: 93%, MC: 97) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
CrimeDramaThriller

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Director
Runtime
1h 33m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.9/10 (1,795 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
Metacritic
97
Cast
Robert Mitchum as Preacher Harry Powell
Shelley Winters as Willa Harper
Lillian Gish as Rachel Cooper
Billy Chapin as John Harper
Sally Jane Bruce as Pearl Harper
James Gleason as Uncle Birdie Steptoe
Evelyn Varden as Icey Spoon
Don Beddoe as Walt Spoon
Most people think so. 82% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,795 votes. Critics gave it 95%.
Overview
In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money. Wikipedia β†—
Fun Facts
  • The initial cut of The Night of the Hunter was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
  • Robert Mitchum spent months preparing for the role, heavily researching the subject matter.
Audience Consensus

The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 crime, drama, thriller film directed by Charles Laughton. In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money. The film has been rated by 1,795 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers.

As a crime film, The Night of the Hunter delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. The Night of the Hunter (1955) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

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⬆ 1,721💬 85 comments
Stanley Cortez' amazing cinematography in 'The Night of the Hunter' (1955) Directed by Charles Laughton
Top comment: "You forgot to include one of my favorite..."
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