The night of the hunter [videorecording] / produced by Paul Gregory ; directed by Charles Laughton.
Material type:
FilmPublisher number: CC1956D | The Criterion CollectionSeries: Criterion collectionPublication details: [United States] : The Criterion Collection, 2010.Edition: DVD edDescription: 2 videodiscs (93 min.) : sd., b&w ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet (28 p. : ill. ; 19 cm.)ISBN: - 1604653507
- 9781604653502
| Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult DVD
|
Main Library | DVD | DRAMA Night of | Available | 33111006605832 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
Adapted by James Agee from a novel by Davis Grubb, The Night of the Hunter represented legendary actor Charles Laughton's only film directing effort. Combining stark realism with Germanic expressionism, the movie is a brilliant good-and-evil parable, with "good" represented by a couple of farm kids and a pious old lady, and "evil" literally in the hands of a posturing psychopath. Imprisoned with thief Ben Harper (Peter Graves), phony preacher Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) learns that Ben has hidden a huge sum of money somewhere near his home. Upon his release, the murderously misogynistic Powell insinuates himself into Ben's home, eventually marrying his widow Willa (Shelley Winters). Eventually all that stands between Powell and the money are Ben's son (Billy Chapin) and daughter (Sally Jane Bruce), who take refuge in a home for abandoned children presided over by the indomitable, scripture-quoting Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish). The war of wills between Mitchum and Gish is the heart of the film's final third, a masterful blend of horror and lyricism. Laughton's tight, disciplined direction is superb -- and all the more impressive when one realizes that he intensely disliked all child actors. The music by Walter Schumann and the cinematography of Stanley Cortez are every bit as brilliant as the contributions by Laughton and Agee. Overlooked on its first release, The Night of the Hunter is now regarded as a classic. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Originally release as a motion picture in 1955.
Special features: Audio commentary ; Charles Laughton directs "The night of the hunter," a two-and-a-half-hour archival treasure trove of outtakes from the film ; new documentary ; clip for the Ed Sullivan show ; fifteen-minute episode of Moving pictures ; archival interview with Stanley Cortez ; gallery of sketches ; video conversation between Gitt and film critic Leonard Maltin ; original theatrical trailer ; booklet with essays by Terrence Rafferty and Michael Sragow.
Title from container.
Charles Laughton, Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Agee.
A demented preacher stalks two young children, a brother and sister, because he is certain they know where their late bank-robbing father hid his money. Graced by images of eerie beauty and a sneaky sense of humor, this is an ethereal, expressionistic American classic.
Not rated.
DVD, widescreen, aspect ratio (1.66:1), monaural.
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.