The Night of the Hunter

1955
US
1h 33min
PG

Directed by: Charles Laughton
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish

Mitchum is unforgettable in this atmospheric tale (sadly Laughton's only film as director) in which he plays a psychotic priest chasing two children for the money stolen by their father. James Agee's script and Laughton's stark monochrome visuals mark out an allegorical conflict between good and evil but there's plenty haunting imagery to make this a mesmerising cinematic experience.

Read review

Performance times

This film is not currently showing in cinemas.

Reviews & features

The Night of the Hunter

16 Jan 2014

Charles Laughton's masterpiece remains both gloriously cinematic and utterly terrifying

Masterpiece is a much overused term, but The Night of the Hunter, a 1955 thriller now restored and re-released, genuinely deserves that accolade. Adapted from Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel (itself based on a true story from 20 years earlier) by screenwriter…

Tell us more about this listing.