One of the most reliable partnerships in modern spooky cinema is that between director Scott Derrickson, and writer C. Robert Cargill. Together, the pair delivered Sinister, Doctor Strange, and The Black Phone, and they’re currently working together on a script for The Black Phone 2. But beyond that, the duo has a new project lined up together – a new take on legendary noir thriller classic The Night Of The Hunter. Davis Grubb’s novel was previously adapted for the screen in 1955 by director Charles Laughton, and now nearly 70 years on will be getting a whole new life on the big screen.
The new version of The Night Of The Hunter has both Derrickson and Cargill on writing duties, and Derrickson is officially on board to direct for Universal. No casting has been announced yet, but the story revolves around a serial killer who hides behind his veneer as a preacher,...
The new version of The Night Of The Hunter has both Derrickson and Cargill on writing duties, and Derrickson is officially on board to direct for Universal. No casting has been announced yet, but the story revolves around a serial killer who hides behind his veneer as a preacher,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Marking his first feature in five years, Election and Drug War director Johnnie To has quietly embarked on his next project. Although no official details have been announced regarding the title or plot, HK01 (via Frank Yan) spotted To filming a scene with Hong Kong pop star Anson Lo, who plays a driver in the film. There’ll surely be more to come, but it’s exciting to see one of our great directors back at work.
Darren Aronofsky has found his next film and star. Following The Whale, he’ll direct Austin Butler in Caught Stealing, Deadline reports, a sports crime drama scripted by Charlie Huston based on his own book. The Sony Pictures project is described as an “adrenaline-soaked roller coaster ride” and will follow Butler as Hank Thompson, “a burned-out former baseball player, as he’s unwittingly plunged into a wild fight for survival in the downtown criminal underworld of ‘90s NYC.
Darren Aronofsky has found his next film and star. Following The Whale, he’ll direct Austin Butler in Caught Stealing, Deadline reports, a sports crime drama scripted by Charlie Huston based on his own book. The Sony Pictures project is described as an “adrenaline-soaked roller coaster ride” and will follow Butler as Hank Thompson, “a burned-out former baseball player, as he’s unwittingly plunged into a wild fight for survival in the downtown criminal underworld of ‘90s NYC.
- 3/28/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Scott Derrickson is set to adapt Davis Grubb’s novel that was turned into a classic film back in 1955. More on The Night Of The Hunter adaptation below.
While we’re still waiting for The Black Phone 2 to hit cinemas next year, director Scott Derrickson is adding another project to his growing roster of films he wants to make.
Not only is he directing the star-studded The Gorge, but Derrickson will now also reunite with his frequent collaborator, writer C Robert Cargill, to re-adapt The Night Of The Hunter. The duo previously made Sinister (2012), Sinister 2 (2015), Doctor Strange (2016) and The Black Phone (2021) together. The news of their latest project comes to us via The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on a 1953 novel by Davis Grubb, The Night Of The Hunter tells the story of Harry Powell, an ex-con who poses as a preacher as he sets out to find his old cellmate’s hidden cash.
While we’re still waiting for The Black Phone 2 to hit cinemas next year, director Scott Derrickson is adding another project to his growing roster of films he wants to make.
Not only is he directing the star-studded The Gorge, but Derrickson will now also reunite with his frequent collaborator, writer C Robert Cargill, to re-adapt The Night Of The Hunter. The duo previously made Sinister (2012), Sinister 2 (2015), Doctor Strange (2016) and The Black Phone (2021) together. The news of their latest project comes to us via The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on a 1953 novel by Davis Grubb, The Night Of The Hunter tells the story of Harry Powell, an ex-con who poses as a preacher as he sets out to find his old cellmate’s hidden cash.
- 3/27/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Well, here's news you don't see every day.
Director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill, the same horror filmmaking duo that gave us "Sinister" (read /Film's oral history here) and "The Black Phone," have confirmed their next project: "The Night of the Hunter," adapted from the 1953 novel by Davis Grubb. The project is being developed at Universal.
"The Night of the Hunter" follows Harry Powell, a faux-preacher, and misogynistic serial killer, in the 1930s Ohio River Valley. After Powell is arrested for stealing a car (from one of his brides-turned-victims), his cellmate is Ben Harper, who's on death row for armed robbery/homicide. Harper hid the stolen money in his daughter Pearl's doll, intending it to be her and his son John's birthright, and took that secret to his grave. Once Powell is walking free, however, he makes his way to the Harper family, seducing Ben's widow Willa so...
Director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill, the same horror filmmaking duo that gave us "Sinister" (read /Film's oral history here) and "The Black Phone," have confirmed their next project: "The Night of the Hunter," adapted from the 1953 novel by Davis Grubb. The project is being developed at Universal.
"The Night of the Hunter" follows Harry Powell, a faux-preacher, and misogynistic serial killer, in the 1930s Ohio River Valley. After Powell is arrested for stealing a car (from one of his brides-turned-victims), his cellmate is Ben Harper, who's on death row for armed robbery/homicide. Harper hid the stolen money in his daughter Pearl's doll, intending it to be her and his son John's birthright, and took that secret to his grave. Once Powell is walking free, however, he makes his way to the Harper family, seducing Ben's widow Willa so...
- 3/26/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Scott Derrickson is set to direct a new adaptation of Davis Grubb’s classic 1953 crime novel, The Night of the Hunter.
The Night of the Hunter tells the twisted story of Harry Powell, a serial killer who poses as a preacher and marries a widow in order to get his hands on her deceased husband’s hidden fortune. Unfortunately, Powell’s new stepchildren, John and Pearl, grow suspicious and quickly become his targets. The novel was previously adapted in 1955 with Robert Mitchum starring as Powell and delivering one of his very best performances. Although the film is now considered to be one of the best of all time (and one of my personal favourites), it received negative reviews upon its release. Acclaimed actor Charles Laughton made his directorial debut with the film, but he took the failure personally and never directed another movie again.
Related The Black Phone 2: Everything...
The Night of the Hunter tells the twisted story of Harry Powell, a serial killer who poses as a preacher and marries a widow in order to get his hands on her deceased husband’s hidden fortune. Unfortunately, Powell’s new stepchildren, John and Pearl, grow suspicious and quickly become his targets. The novel was previously adapted in 1955 with Robert Mitchum starring as Powell and delivering one of his very best performances. Although the film is now considered to be one of the best of all time (and one of my personal favourites), it received negative reviews upon its release. Acclaimed actor Charles Laughton made his directorial debut with the film, but he took the failure personally and never directed another movie again.
Related The Black Phone 2: Everything...
- 3/26/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The classic 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter was adapted from Davis Grubb’s same-titled novel, and we’ve learned tonight that a brand new adaptation is now in the works.
THR reports this afternoon that Scott Derrickson will be directing the new take on The Night of the Hunter, with C. Robert Cargill (Sinister) writing.
Derrickson will write the script alongside Cargill, the report adds.
Cargill previews on the platform formerly known as Twitter tonight, “For those unfamiliar, Night of the Hunter was based on a novel that was *Much Darker* than the 1950s would allow. Very excited about this project and thrilled we can finally talk about it.”
The Night of the Hunter follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him...
THR reports this afternoon that Scott Derrickson will be directing the new take on The Night of the Hunter, with C. Robert Cargill (Sinister) writing.
Derrickson will write the script alongside Cargill, the report adds.
Cargill previews on the platform formerly known as Twitter tonight, “For those unfamiliar, Night of the Hunter was based on a novel that was *Much Darker* than the 1950s would allow. Very excited about this project and thrilled we can finally talk about it.”
The Night of the Hunter follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him...
- 3/26/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, the terrorific team behind horror hits Sinister and The Black Phone, are going noir.
Universal has tapped Derrickson to direct an adaptation of The Night of the Hunter, the acclaimed 1953 crime novel by Davis Grubb that was previously turned into a 1955 thriller starring Robert Mitchum.
Derrickson will write the script with Cargill, his frequent collaborator who also worked with him on Marvel Studios entry Doctor Strange.
Peter Gethers will produce through his KramMar Delicious Mystery Productions, and Amy Pascal will produce through her Pascal Pictures first-look deal with Universal Pictures.
Hunter told the story of Harry Powell, a murderous ex-con who takes up the identity of a preacher in order to do his misdeeds. While in prison, a cellmate slated for execution tells Powell that he hid stolen cash with his kids. Upon his release, Powell finds the widow, woos her and marries her,...
Universal has tapped Derrickson to direct an adaptation of The Night of the Hunter, the acclaimed 1953 crime novel by Davis Grubb that was previously turned into a 1955 thriller starring Robert Mitchum.
Derrickson will write the script with Cargill, his frequent collaborator who also worked with him on Marvel Studios entry Doctor Strange.
Peter Gethers will produce through his KramMar Delicious Mystery Productions, and Amy Pascal will produce through her Pascal Pictures first-look deal with Universal Pictures.
Hunter told the story of Harry Powell, a murderous ex-con who takes up the identity of a preacher in order to do his misdeeds. While in prison, a cellmate slated for execution tells Powell that he hid stolen cash with his kids. Upon his release, Powell finds the widow, woos her and marries her,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Scott Derrickson has been set to direct an adaptation of Davis Grubb’s classic 1953 novel The Night of the Hunter for Universal Pictures, working from his script written with C. Robert Cargill, his longtime collaborator on The Black Phone, Doctor Strange and other projects.
Peter Gethers will produce through his KramMar Delicious Mystery Productions, alongside Amy Pascal, whose Pascal Pictures has a first-look deal with the studio.
The Night of the Hunter revolves around Harry Powell, a serial killer posing as a preacher, who marries a widow solely to gain access to her deceased husband’s hidden fortune. Powell’s stepchildren, John and Pearl, become the targets of his relentless pursuit as he seeks the money hidden by their father.
An instant bestseller and finalist for the National Book Award, The Night of the Hunter was the first of Grubb’s 10 novels. Previously, the book was adapted into a classic film,...
Peter Gethers will produce through his KramMar Delicious Mystery Productions, alongside Amy Pascal, whose Pascal Pictures has a first-look deal with the studio.
The Night of the Hunter revolves around Harry Powell, a serial killer posing as a preacher, who marries a widow solely to gain access to her deceased husband’s hidden fortune. Powell’s stepchildren, John and Pearl, become the targets of his relentless pursuit as he seeks the money hidden by their father.
An instant bestseller and finalist for the National Book Award, The Night of the Hunter was the first of Grubb’s 10 novels. Previously, the book was adapted into a classic film,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Godzilla & Godzilla Raids Again Novelizations from University of Minnesota Press
First published in Japan in 1955, the original novelizations of Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again will be released in English for the first time on October 3 via University of Minnesota Press.
Jeffrey Angles, professor of Japanese at Western Michigan University, has newly translated the original material written by Shigeru Kayama, who conceived the initial story for Godzilla.
The two young adult novellas are being published together in one 256-page book, which is available to pre-order in paperback for $17.41 and and e-book for $9.99.
Scooby-Doo Play Set from Mezco Toyz
Mezco Toyz has announced a Scooby-Doo Friends & Foes box set as part of its 5 Points line of retro-style 3.75” scale action figures.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Godzilla & Godzilla Raids Again Novelizations from University of Minnesota Press
First published in Japan in 1955, the original novelizations of Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again will be released in English for the first time on October 3 via University of Minnesota Press.
Jeffrey Angles, professor of Japanese at Western Michigan University, has newly translated the original material written by Shigeru Kayama, who conceived the initial story for Godzilla.
The two young adult novellas are being published together in one 256-page book, which is available to pre-order in paperback for $17.41 and and e-book for $9.99.
Scooby-Doo Play Set from Mezco Toyz
Mezco Toyz has announced a Scooby-Doo Friends & Foes box set as part of its 5 Points line of retro-style 3.75” scale action figures.
- 3/24/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Nobody knew what to make of "Night of the Hunter" when it screened in 1955. Directed by actor Charles Laughton from a script by James Agee, it broke every rule in the book. It's a fairy tale that's nastier and more adult than anything Disney could produce. It's a black-and-white film made at a time when color movies were coming into vogue. Famous actor Robert Mitchum plays one of the scariest villains in film history. There's a stretch in the middle that swings into magical realism, and the end is a Christmas movie. "Night of the Hunter" was so hated by critics at its release that Laughton decided never to make another film. These days it's heralded as not just one of the greatest pictures of its era, but one so miraculous in its construction (despite its foibles) that it might as well be a UFO.
Many have lauded Charles Laughton as the film's guiding genius,...
Many have lauded Charles Laughton as the film's guiding genius,...
- 12/24/2022
- by Adam Wescott
- Slash Film
There are fewer joys in filmmaking than successfully pulling off an ambitious movie trick. For example, in his sci-fi classic "The Thing," director John Carpenter hired a double-amputee actor to stand in during the famous defibrillation scene, convincing viewers that Richard Dysart's character had his arms bitten off. The CGI-averse Christopher Nolan similarly orchestrated the zero-gravity hallway fight in "Inception" via massive centrifuge-style rotating sets, earning the film a Best Visual Effects Oscar. But some of the most marvelous movie illusions didn't require elaborate constructions. In fact, one of the most exemplary images of classic cinema was nothing more than a trick of the eye.
Shamefully, "The Night of the Hunter" is Charles Laughton's only feature film as director due to its poor reception at the time. A noir thriller based on the novel of the same name by Davis Grubb, the 1955 movie is now widely considered a true classic.
Shamefully, "The Night of the Hunter" is Charles Laughton's only feature film as director due to its poor reception at the time. A noir thriller based on the novel of the same name by Davis Grubb, the 1955 movie is now widely considered a true classic.
- 12/9/2022
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Charles Laughton’s sole directorial effort, the 1955 suspense classic The Night of the Hunter is getting a modern remake from Universal Pictures, according to Variety. Amy Pascal’s (Spider-Man: Far From Home) Universal Pictures-based banner Pascal Pictures will produce along with Peter Gethers. The screenplay will be written by Matt Orton, best known for the Nazi-hunter film Operation Finale, based on Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel.
The original film is iconic, and Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of newly released prison convict Harry Powell is one of the greatest villains of the silver screen. This is the film which introduced the hand tattoos Love and Hate and the biblical battle fought just below the knuckles. It is the story of good and evil that goes back to when “Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low.” The inked-fingers had “veins that run straight to the soul of man.”
The book and...
The original film is iconic, and Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of newly released prison convict Harry Powell is one of the greatest villains of the silver screen. This is the film which introduced the hand tattoos Love and Hate and the biblical battle fought just below the knuckles. It is the story of good and evil that goes back to when “Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low.” The inked-fingers had “veins that run straight to the soul of man.”
The book and...
- 4/8/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Universal Pictures is looking to remake an old Hollywood classic. It has been announced the studio is in the works on a remake to The Night Of The Hunter, a 1955 film adaptation based on the novel by Davis Grubb. Little is known about the project but we do know that Matt Orton (Operation Finale) is writing the script and it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original…...
- 4/8/2020
- by Gaius Bolling
- JoBlo.com
Universal Pictures are keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes by lining up future films to add to their rosters. The latest development sees the giant in line to remake the 1955 thriller ‘The Night of the Hunter’.
Based on the novel by Davis Grubb, the story follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hidden $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash.
‘Operation Finale’ scribe, Matt Orton, will pen the script with Peter Gether and Amy Pascal producing through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
Also in news – Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer return for ‘Call Me By Your Name’ sequel
The 1955 thriller was directed by Charles Laughton and starred Robert Mitchum,...
Based on the novel by Davis Grubb, the story follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hidden $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash.
‘Operation Finale’ scribe, Matt Orton, will pen the script with Peter Gether and Amy Pascal producing through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
Also in news – Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer return for ‘Call Me By Your Name’ sequel
The 1955 thriller was directed by Charles Laughton and starred Robert Mitchum,...
- 4/8/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Charles Laughton’s iconic 1955 serial killer thriller “Night of the Hunter” is getting a remake from Universal Pictures. The news was first reported by Variety. The studio has tapped “Operation Finale” screenwriter Matt Orton to pen the script, which is believed to be a contemporary reimagining of the storyline and not a period piece. Amy Pascal is producing the project through her production banner Pascal Pictures. Additional producers include Peter Gethers and Jay Polidoro, the latter of whom is Universal’s senior vice president of production. Pascal recently had a major hit with Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women,” which grossed over $200 million worldwide and picked up Oscar nominations for Best Picture and more. Universal is coming off box office success for genre title “The Invisible Man.”
The first iteration of “Night of the Hunter” was Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel of the same name. Film critic turned screenwriter James Agee adapted...
The first iteration of “Night of the Hunter” was Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel of the same name. Film critic turned screenwriter James Agee adapted...
- 4/7/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Matt Orton (“Operation Finale”) has been tapped to adapt the screenplay for Universal Pictures’ “The Night of the Hunter,” based on the novel by Davis Grubb.
Orton previously wrote “Operation Finale,” starring Oscar Isaac and Sir Ben Kingsley, which MGM released to excellent reviews and a strong performance at the box office in 2018. Since then, Orton has written “Battle of Britain,” which Ridley Scott will direct, and is currently writing the live-action family-adventure movie, “Knights,” for Disney.
The 1955 film directed by actor Charles Laughton (and the only film he ever directed), starred Robert Mitchum as a sublimely sinister traveling preacher turned serial killer named Harry Powell, who had tattooed knuckles and nefarious motives for marrying a fragile widow played by Shelley Winters. Powell plans to steal $10,000 hidden by her executed husband, and his motives are discovered by the widow’s terrified children.
Also Read: Universal Pulls 'Wicked' From Release Slate,...
Orton previously wrote “Operation Finale,” starring Oscar Isaac and Sir Ben Kingsley, which MGM released to excellent reviews and a strong performance at the box office in 2018. Since then, Orton has written “Battle of Britain,” which Ridley Scott will direct, and is currently writing the live-action family-adventure movie, “Knights,” for Disney.
The 1955 film directed by actor Charles Laughton (and the only film he ever directed), starred Robert Mitchum as a sublimely sinister traveling preacher turned serial killer named Harry Powell, who had tattooed knuckles and nefarious motives for marrying a fragile widow played by Shelley Winters. Powell plans to steal $10,000 hidden by her executed husband, and his motives are discovered by the widow’s terrified children.
Also Read: Universal Pulls 'Wicked' From Release Slate,...
- 4/7/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Universal Pictures is remaking “The Night of the Hunter,” a 1955 film adaptation based on the novel by Davis Grubb.
Matt Orton (“Operation Finale”) is penning the script. Though little is known about the new project, it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original thriller, rather than a period piece.
“The Night of the Hunter” follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash. The 1955 version, starring Robert Mitchum, was considered controversial at the time, given dark themes including Mitchum’s character preying on young children.
Peter Gethers will produce alongside Amy Pascal, who will produce through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
Matt Orton (“Operation Finale”) is penning the script. Though little is known about the new project, it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original thriller, rather than a period piece.
“The Night of the Hunter” follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer who marries a widow, knowing that her deceased husband had hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow’s young children are reluctant to tell him where their real dad hid the money as the man plots more sinister ways to find where to find the cash. The 1955 version, starring Robert Mitchum, was considered controversial at the time, given dark themes including Mitchum’s character preying on young children.
Peter Gethers will produce alongside Amy Pascal, who will produce through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.
- 4/7/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Child actor who memorably played the 12-year-old John Harper in the 1955 film The Night of the Hunter, starring Robert Mitchum
The acting career of Billy Chapin, who has died aged 72, ended 57 years ago, though his memorable performance in The Night of the Hunter (1955) has become an indelible part of film history. Charles Laughton’s only film as director is an eerily beautiful parable of good and evil, its bold visual style derived from the rural dramas of Dw Griffith, German Expressionism and American folk art.
Most of Chapin’s previous roles, where he displayed a gravitas, contrary to the label “cute” often affixed to child stars, persuaded Laughton to cast him in The Night of the Hunter. As Laughton told Davis Grubb, the author of the original novel, “What I want is a flexible child, and the boy is exactly that … he has innate ability to understand the construction of a scene,...
The acting career of Billy Chapin, who has died aged 72, ended 57 years ago, though his memorable performance in The Night of the Hunter (1955) has become an indelible part of film history. Charles Laughton’s only film as director is an eerily beautiful parable of good and evil, its bold visual style derived from the rural dramas of Dw Griffith, German Expressionism and American folk art.
Most of Chapin’s previous roles, where he displayed a gravitas, contrary to the label “cute” often affixed to child stars, persuaded Laughton to cast him in The Night of the Hunter. As Laughton told Davis Grubb, the author of the original novel, “What I want is a flexible child, and the boy is exactly that … he has innate ability to understand the construction of a scene,...
- 12/26/2016
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Special Mention: Un chien andalou
Directed by Luis Buñuel
Written by Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel
France, 1929
Genre: Experimental Short
The dream – or nightmare – has been a staple of horror cinema for decades. In 1929, Luis Bunuel joined forces with Salvador Dali to create Un chien andalou, an experimental and unforgettable 17-minute surrealist masterpiece. Buñuel famously said that he and Dalí wrote the film by telling one another their dreams. The film went on to influence the horror genre immensely. After all, even as manipulative as the “dream” device is, it’s still a proven way to jolt an audience. Just ask Wes Craven, who understood this bit of cinematic psychology when he dreamt of the central force behind A Nightmare on Elm Street, a film intended to be an exploration of surreal horror. David Lynch is contemporary cinema’s most devoted student of Un chien andalou – the severed ear at...
Directed by Luis Buñuel
Written by Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel
France, 1929
Genre: Experimental Short
The dream – or nightmare – has been a staple of horror cinema for decades. In 1929, Luis Bunuel joined forces with Salvador Dali to create Un chien andalou, an experimental and unforgettable 17-minute surrealist masterpiece. Buñuel famously said that he and Dalí wrote the film by telling one another their dreams. The film went on to influence the horror genre immensely. After all, even as manipulative as the “dream” device is, it’s still a proven way to jolt an audience. Just ask Wes Craven, who understood this bit of cinematic psychology when he dreamt of the central force behind A Nightmare on Elm Street, a film intended to be an exploration of surreal horror. David Lynch is contemporary cinema’s most devoted student of Un chien andalou – the severed ear at...
- 10/28/2015
- by Ricky Fernandes
- SoundOnSight
A restored version of Charles Laughton's sole directorial outing, starring the brilliant Robert Mitchum, shows the movie has lost none of its haunting visual power
"And a little child shall lead them… " The BBFC's classification information states that this eerie 1955 classic is rated 12A for "theme of threat to children", a wonderfully quaint phrase which deliciously undersells the brooding evil which pervades Charles Laughton's brilliant directorial venture – his first and only.
James Agee takes screenwriting credit on this adaptation of Davis Grubb's novel, with Robert Mitchum in ghoulish form as the Reverend Harry Powell, a twisted preacher with "love" and "hate" tattooed on his knuckles who inveigles his way into a family's life after the man of the house is hanged.
Unforgettably haunting images (a car submerged in a watery grave; a spider's web view of the children fleeing in a riverboat to the strains of Pretty...
"And a little child shall lead them… " The BBFC's classification information states that this eerie 1955 classic is rated 12A for "theme of threat to children", a wonderfully quaint phrase which deliciously undersells the brooding evil which pervades Charles Laughton's brilliant directorial venture – his first and only.
James Agee takes screenwriting credit on this adaptation of Davis Grubb's novel, with Robert Mitchum in ghoulish form as the Reverend Harry Powell, a twisted preacher with "love" and "hate" tattooed on his knuckles who inveigles his way into a family's life after the man of the house is hanged.
Unforgettably haunting images (a car submerged in a watery grave; a spider's web view of the children fleeing in a riverboat to the strains of Pretty...
- 1/19/2014
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
Robert Mitchum is a preaching paterfamilias from hell, and Charles Laughton's complex 1955 classic thoroughly deserves the turnaround in its reputation over the years
"I come not with peace, but with a sword," says Robert Mitchum's psychopathic bogus preacher, brandishing a switchblade that at moments of extreme sexual excitement and disgust will poke out of his trouser-pocket, tearing the material. His performance in Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter (1955) – now on re-release – is startlingly stiff-necked and straight backed, with a mannered theatrical baritone, a change from Mitchum's usual rangy coolness. Perhaps it was this unfamiliarity that contributed to the film's failure on first release, a bruising experience that helped make it Charles Laughton's sole directorial credit. In fact, this suspense thriller is a stunning piece of work, with the shadows of German expressionism and a compositional sense comparable to the work of George Stevens: it...
"I come not with peace, but with a sword," says Robert Mitchum's psychopathic bogus preacher, brandishing a switchblade that at moments of extreme sexual excitement and disgust will poke out of his trouser-pocket, tearing the material. His performance in Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter (1955) – now on re-release – is startlingly stiff-necked and straight backed, with a mannered theatrical baritone, a change from Mitchum's usual rangy coolness. Perhaps it was this unfamiliarity that contributed to the film's failure on first release, a bruising experience that helped make it Charles Laughton's sole directorial credit. In fact, this suspense thriller is a stunning piece of work, with the shadows of German expressionism and a compositional sense comparable to the work of George Stevens: it...
- 1/16/2014
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
(Charles Laughton, 1955; Arrow, 15)
One of the greatest, most influential directorial debuts in movie history, The Night of the Hunter was a major critical and commercial failure in 1955, and Charles Laughton never directed another film, which was bad for him, bad for us and bad for Norman Mailer, whose The Naked and the Dead was to be Laughton's follow-up project.
Based on Davis Grubb's gothic novel, it's a grim fairytale for adults set in poverty-stricken West Virginia during the depression and centres on a father going to the gallows for murder after concealing some stolen money in his little daughter's doll and swearing her brother to secrecy. An ogre in the form of a psychotic preacher (Robert Mitchum's best, most scary performance), who'd shared a cell with their father, is after the loot. When this monstrous figure of pure evil takes over the impoverished family, the children flee down the Ohio river,...
One of the greatest, most influential directorial debuts in movie history, The Night of the Hunter was a major critical and commercial failure in 1955, and Charles Laughton never directed another film, which was bad for him, bad for us and bad for Norman Mailer, whose The Naked and the Dead was to be Laughton's follow-up project.
Based on Davis Grubb's gothic novel, it's a grim fairytale for adults set in poverty-stricken West Virginia during the depression and centres on a father going to the gallows for murder after concealing some stolen money in his little daughter's doll and swearing her brother to secrecy. An ogre in the form of a psychotic preacher (Robert Mitchum's best, most scary performance), who'd shared a cell with their father, is after the loot. When this monstrous figure of pure evil takes over the impoverished family, the children flee down the Ohio river,...
- 11/3/2013
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
Director Charles Laughton’s and screenwriter James Agee’s adaptation of the novel The Night of the Hunter has become a reverently admired and extremely influential film in the 60 years since the ‘failure’ of its initial release. The film has placed very highly in many international critical polls, including Cahier du Cinema’s 2007 listing of the ‘100 Most Beautiful Films’, where it sits at #2. Many filmmakers have cited it as a key inspiration, and Steven Spielberg showed it to the crew of E.T. in order to help them understand the child’s perspective from which he wanted the film to be told. It was even re-made as a virtually unwatchable 1991 TV movie with Richard Chamberlain as Harry Powell, and a musical stage version was created in the late ‘90s for which a soundtrack CD is available.
Perhaps the most important indication of the esteem in which the film is now held...
Perhaps the most important indication of the esteem in which the film is now held...
- 11/1/2013
- by Ian Gilchrist
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Every year, we here at Sound On Sight celebrate the month of October with 31 Days of Horror; and every year, I update the list of my favourite horror films ever made. Last year, I released a list that included 150 picks. This year, I’ll be upgrading the list, making minor alterations, changing the rankings, adding new entries, and possibly removing a few titles. I’ve also decided to publish each post backwards this time for one reason: the new additions appear lower on my list, whereas my top 50 haven’t changed much, except for maybe in ranking. Enjoy!
****
Special Mention:
Shock Corridor
Written and directed by Samuel Fuller
USA, 1963
Shock Corridor stars Peter Breck as Johnny Barrett, an ambitious reporter who wants to expose the killer at the local insane asylum. To solve the case, he must pretend to be insane so they have him committed. Once in the asylum,...
****
Special Mention:
Shock Corridor
Written and directed by Samuel Fuller
USA, 1963
Shock Corridor stars Peter Breck as Johnny Barrett, an ambitious reporter who wants to expose the killer at the local insane asylum. To solve the case, he must pretend to be insane so they have him committed. Once in the asylum,...
- 10/28/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
There are many reasons to compare and contrast current films with historical ones. One is to attempt to explain why some films have been spotlighted in place of a possible litany similar films. Another is to show the machinations of cinematic influence, or explore the persistence of repeated narratives throughout film history. And yet another is because it’s damn fun. Here at Criterion Files, we have (on a not-at-all-regular basis) compared recent films with relevant counterparts canonized in the cinephilic annals of the Criterion collection, including two Lincoln biopics, two iconic exercises of the close-up, and the overwhelming similarities between Pierrot le Fou and a certain beloved Wes Anderson film. But rarely has a crop of films released in a single season echoed the specific work of classic counterparts than the summer of 2013. Jeff Nichols’s Mud and Charles Laughton’s Night of the Hunter You probably can’t designate somebody an auteur if they only...
- 8/8/2013
- by Landon Palmer
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Throughout the month of October, Editor-in-Chief and resident Horror expert Ricky D, will be posting a list of his favorite Horror films of all time. The list will be posted in six parts. Click here to see every entry.
As with all lists, this is personal and nobody will agree with every choice – and if you do, that would be incredibly disturbing. It was almost impossible for me to rank them in order, but I tried and eventually gave up.
****
Special Mention:
American Psycho
Directed by Mary Harrron
Written by Mary Harron
2000, USA
Bret Easton Ellis’s dark and violent satire of America in the 1980s was brought to the big screen by director Mary Harron. Initially slapped with the MPAA’s kiss of death (an Nc-17 rating), American Psycho was later re-edited and reduced to a more commercially dependable “R”. Perhaps the film works best as a slick satire about misogyny,...
As with all lists, this is personal and nobody will agree with every choice – and if you do, that would be incredibly disturbing. It was almost impossible for me to rank them in order, but I tried and eventually gave up.
****
Special Mention:
American Psycho
Directed by Mary Harrron
Written by Mary Harron
2000, USA
Bret Easton Ellis’s dark and violent satire of America in the 1980s was brought to the big screen by director Mary Harron. Initially slapped with the MPAA’s kiss of death (an Nc-17 rating), American Psycho was later re-edited and reduced to a more commercially dependable “R”. Perhaps the film works best as a slick satire about misogyny,...
- 10/25/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
June 25, 1982, was a good day for genre fans. Hell, that summer saw a spate of genre classics released, including "The Road Warrior," "Poltergeist," and "E.T." But June 25th in particular saw not only the release, as we discussed earlier today, of "Blade Runner," but also another legendary sci-fi picture, which like Ridley Scott's film, wasn't well-received at the time, and flopped at the box office, but went on to be enshrined in the geek hall of fame. No, it's not Barry Bostwyck vehicle "MegaForce," but John Carpenter's terrifying "The Thing," which despite the efforts of last year's poor retread/prequel, remains one of the greatest sci-fi/horrors ever made.
Technically a remake of Howard Hawks' well-loved 1951 "The Thing From Another World," which Carpenter pays tribute to in the opening moments, the new film took a very different approach, ramping up both the paranoia and the eye-popping physical effects,...
Technically a remake of Howard Hawks' well-loved 1951 "The Thing From Another World," which Carpenter pays tribute to in the opening moments, the new film took a very different approach, ramping up both the paranoia and the eye-popping physical effects,...
- 6/25/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Peter Kimpton tops up our writers' favourite film series with an ode to Charles Laughton's 1955 thriller, a tale as dark and disquieting as a half-forgotten dream
Want to write your own review of the film? Do so here – or brave the cut-throat comments section below
Motionless for 90 minutes, I could not even remove my coat. I sweated and shivered. I felt in shock. Was the film recreating scenes from my sleep? I had never seen, as far as I can recall, The Night of the Hunter. That is until a cold, wintry night in the 1990s when, working in Glasgow, I went to the city's Gft cinema to catch a new 35mm print of Charles Laughton's 1955 masterpiece. It was his only film as a director. Critics panned it on its release, consequently killing off the actor's career behind the camera, and perhaps robbing history of further works of greatness.
Want to write your own review of the film? Do so here – or brave the cut-throat comments section below
Motionless for 90 minutes, I could not even remove my coat. I sweated and shivered. I felt in shock. Was the film recreating scenes from my sleep? I had never seen, as far as I can recall, The Night of the Hunter. That is until a cold, wintry night in the 1990s when, working in Glasgow, I went to the city's Gft cinema to catch a new 35mm print of Charles Laughton's 1955 masterpiece. It was his only film as a director. Critics panned it on its release, consequently killing off the actor's career behind the camera, and perhaps robbing history of further works of greatness.
- 12/8/2011
- by Peter Kimpton
- The Guardian - Film News
Feb 01, 2011
Published in 1953, Davis Grubb's Depression-era novel, The Night of the Hunter, about a serial killer preacher in relentless pursuit of two orphans in order to get a cache of stolen loot in their possession shot to the top of the bestseller list and stayed there for months. The book was brought to the attention of Charles Laughton by the actor's business associate, producer Paul Gregory. Though still in demand as an actor on the stage, Laughton's movie career had hit the skids; he wanted to make the transition to movie director. Gregory thought ...Read more at MovieRetriever.com...
Published in 1953, Davis Grubb's Depression-era novel, The Night of the Hunter, about a serial killer preacher in relentless pursuit of two orphans in order to get a cache of stolen loot in their possession shot to the top of the bestseller list and stayed there for months. The book was brought to the attention of Charles Laughton by the actor's business associate, producer Paul Gregory. Though still in demand as an actor on the stage, Laughton's movie career had hit the skids; he wanted to make the transition to movie director. Gregory thought ...Read more at MovieRetriever.com...
- 2/1/2011
- CinemaNerdz
If you're a regular reader of this site you're familiar with my weekly What I Watched columns, where I detail the films outside of my regular work schedule that I've watched each week. The primary reasons I started the feature, outside of giving readers a place to discuss and recommend films they've watched, was to begin watching older films I had not seen and creating a starting point with each one. Films are never same the second, third and fourth time you watch them and one thing necessary to gain a better perspective on film's history is to have a greater understanding, and a first-hand understanding, of the film's that came before rather than always relying on what others have said.
As bad luck would have it, I didn't write up my thoughts on Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter when I watched it for the first time a couple of years ago.
As bad luck would have it, I didn't write up my thoughts on Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter when I watched it for the first time a couple of years ago.
- 12/8/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Chicago – Charles Laughton directed one movie in his entire career, the terrifying and brilliant “The Night of the Hunter,” a modern Grimm’s fairy tale in which the evil witch in the forest has come to life and taken the form of one of society’s most trusted figures. Laughton’s masterpiece was a critical and commercial failure on its release but history has wisely recognized the lyrical power and sheer terror of one of the best domestic horror movies ever made.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
The Criterion Collection has had a spectacular year in the world of Blu-ray and their two-disc set for “The Night of the Hunter” stands as one of the best. With hours of fascinating special features, a perfect video transfer, and quite simply one of the best movies of its kind ever made, this is a must-own. The fact that “The Night of the Hunter” was widely-dismissed...
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
The Criterion Collection has had a spectacular year in the world of Blu-ray and their two-disc set for “The Night of the Hunter” stands as one of the best. With hours of fascinating special features, a perfect video transfer, and quite simply one of the best movies of its kind ever made, this is a must-own. The fact that “The Night of the Hunter” was widely-dismissed...
- 11/26/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Film:
Love. Hate. Two of the most polar opposite emotions a human has, yet ones that can be interestingly intertwined into a gray area, like how “Preacher” Harry Powell intends to use for evil. Night of the Hunter might be one of the most misunderstood American classics; a critical and box office failure at its time of release, only to find its (and how thematically fitting) resurrection to its masterpiece status. It’s a simple picture, yet its mixture of genres – ranging from horror to black comedy to its Christmas ending – makes for a rich, complex experience, worthy of the time down the river.
With its Southern Gothic style, Night of the Hunter is a horror film with a Recession as its backdrop (well, here it’s the Great Depression), which makes for its horrors to come vividly to life. The “Preacher” uses His word for no good, a clever Father of Lies,...
Love. Hate. Two of the most polar opposite emotions a human has, yet ones that can be interestingly intertwined into a gray area, like how “Preacher” Harry Powell intends to use for evil. Night of the Hunter might be one of the most misunderstood American classics; a critical and box office failure at its time of release, only to find its (and how thematically fitting) resurrection to its masterpiece status. It’s a simple picture, yet its mixture of genres – ranging from horror to black comedy to its Christmas ending – makes for a rich, complex experience, worthy of the time down the river.
With its Southern Gothic style, Night of the Hunter is a horror film with a Recession as its backdrop (well, here it’s the Great Depression), which makes for its horrors to come vividly to life. The “Preacher” uses His word for no good, a clever Father of Lies,...
- 11/23/2010
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
The Night of the Hunter: Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
The Film
While researching the aspect ratio of Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter (1955) on DVDBeaver.com, I noticed something rather telling in the review. In each DVDBeaver review, there are links to books related to the film. For instance, if you look at the review of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), you'll find links to books on Kubrick. For the review of Night of the Hunter, DVDBeaver supplied a list of film noir book titles including Alain Silver's appropriately titled Film Noir, which features Hunter's antagonist Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) on the cover. Re-watching the film, I couldn't help but wonder what classified it as noir (for my classical noir retrospective, click here).
Sure, I can see on the surface where one might brand the film a noir. The film owes its aesthetic to German Expressionism, is shot in black and white,...
The Film
While researching the aspect ratio of Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter (1955) on DVDBeaver.com, I noticed something rather telling in the review. In each DVDBeaver review, there are links to books related to the film. For instance, if you look at the review of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), you'll find links to books on Kubrick. For the review of Night of the Hunter, DVDBeaver supplied a list of film noir book titles including Alain Silver's appropriately titled Film Noir, which features Hunter's antagonist Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) on the cover. Re-watching the film, I couldn't help but wonder what classified it as noir (for my classical noir retrospective, click here).
Sure, I can see on the surface where one might brand the film a noir. The film owes its aesthetic to German Expressionism, is shot in black and white,...
- 11/17/2010
- by Drew Morton
There is a trend these days amongst some film goers, in which they actively avoid trailers, as well as any kind of plot spoilers regarding upcoming films. I won’t go so far as to say that this is a recent trend, but it has certainly appeared on my radar a lot over the past few years. People want to keep that magic of the surprise, when it comes to upcoming media. At the same time, there is an abundance of information about everything media related thanks to the internet.
One aspect of the Criterion Collection that we all have come to accept, and learn to love in a holiday package opening sense, is their secrecy regarding upcoming releases. We have joked about how they are almost at Apple-like levels of secrecy, and when something gets out, Criterion fans jump on it.
I think we all want to know what...
One aspect of the Criterion Collection that we all have come to accept, and learn to love in a holiday package opening sense, is their secrecy regarding upcoming releases. We have joked about how they are almost at Apple-like levels of secrecy, and when something gets out, Criterion fans jump on it.
I think we all want to know what...
- 8/16/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
It’s a strange, post-modern conundrum I experienced this morning, I’ll set the scene: I wake up, check Twitter Before I check my e-mail, only to discover that Criterion has finally sent out their June e-mail newsletter (after announcing on Twitter that it might be a little late due to some revamping), and that apparently they’ve either announced Do the Right Thing on Blu-ray, or Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter. Clearly it was the latter.
Having not seen the movie before, but heard many people talk up how intense Robert Mitchum is as the murderer Robert Powell (specifically the Battleship Pretension, but I cannot remember the episode), I cannot wait for this release. Apparently this is an MGM title that Criterion has licensed (MGM is not doing too well these day’s financially, and it is rumored that Criterion has a nice long list of...
Having not seen the movie before, but heard many people talk up how intense Robert Mitchum is as the murderer Robert Powell (specifically the Battleship Pretension, but I cannot remember the episode), I cannot wait for this release. Apparently this is an MGM title that Criterion has licensed (MGM is not doing too well these day’s financially, and it is rumored that Criterion has a nice long list of...
- 6/18/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
Let Robert Mitchum tell you the story of left hand/right hand (or why he's got Love and Hate tattooed on his fingers) playing a mad preacher in Charles Laughton's creepy and terrifying Southern gothic classic. The Night of the Hunter Dir. Charles Laughton (1955) Surreal, dreamy, and brilliant, Charles Laughton's only proper turn behind the camera (he had a long and lengthy acting career) is one of the best films of the 50s (and ever) with a legendary performance from Robert Mitchum as preacher Harry Powell. (The film would pair nicely with Mitchum's other staggering performance in The Friends of Eddie Coyle.) What makes The Night of the Hunter so scary? Why does it cast a strange, lingering spell? Some of that can be credited to the story, based on the novel by Davis Grubb and adapted by the brilliant and prolific writer...
- 1/29/2010
- by Tribeca Film
- Huffington Post
The Night of the Hunter Dir. Charles Laughton (1955) Surreal, dreamy, and brilliant, Charles Laughton's only proper turn behind the camera (he had a long and lengthy acting career) is one of the best films of the 50s (and ever) with a legendary performance from Robert Mitchum as preacher Harry Powell. (The film would pair nicely with Mitchum's other staggering performance in The Friends of Eddie Coyle.) What makes The Night of the Hunter so scary? Why does it cast a strange, lingering spell? Some of that can be credited to the story, based on the novel by Davis Grubb and adapted by the brilliant and prolific writer James Agee. (Agee's credit on the film has been controversial.) Mitchum is seductive and smooth as Powell, using his "preacher" status to charm the town and to hide his all-abiding evil, an evil so entrenched that he kills his newlywed wife (a young,...
- 1/29/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
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