The Night of the Hunter

The Night of the Hunter is a cinematic curiosity. Shot in black and white, the 1955 film is Charles Laughton's sole directorial effort. It starred Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish, and Shelley Winters; James Agee wrote the screenplay (or is at least credited with doing so). Based on Donald Grubb's 1953 bestselling novel, it is a dark and powerful (im)morality play. Not a great success when first released, it is now an acknowledged masterpiece. Simon Callow's survey …

…is acknowledged as a significant and in many ways remarkable work. Simon Callow's introduction offers useful background information about the film, especially regarding the novel it was based on (which was still fresh in the minds of audiences of 1955, but has since been practically completely forgotten). Callow's neat, ordered presentation makes it a straightforward read. He is sympathetic without being blind to the film's (and the contributors') faults. An interesting slice of film-history, well presented.