The Night of the Hunter - Victims of Faith 

That moment of musical harmony ... it’s brilliant. As well as other things, it’s a fierce challenge to Powell’s supposed faith, for one simple reason: she sings ‘leaning *on Jesus*’. And we realise, all in that moment, that this ‘Christian’ preacher has never once mentioned Christ.

Thank you for the recommendation

Agree this is a great film! But I think the LOVE/HATE sermon is a joke on the gullibility of the townspeople. Far from being a rhetorical tour de force, it presents the struggle between good and evil with all the subtlety of a pro wrestling battle. It’s a triumph of hucksterism over substance. (Very appropriate for today’s political climate.)

Really good movie. I consider the pastor to be a forerunner of the "slasher" villains to follow, with his leisurely, yet implacable pursuit of his victims. Although of course he's more insidious than they, what with his charisma and smooth talk. That actually makes him a lot scarier.

The Night of the Hunter is one of my favorite films. It's very personal to me for reasons I will keep to myself. What I will say is that the scene where the children escape and travel down the river, with Powell in pursuit, has an uncanny, transcendent power that moves me every single time.

Wow, I loved your review and analysis of this film, which I have long admired. My only complaint (and it really isn't one) is that you don't mention one of my favorite scenes, when Lillian Gish is sitting on the porch, before the "hymn duel." An owl kills a rabbit nearby and she says, "It's a hard world for little things." It beautifully cements our trust in her. BTW the Spike Lee homage is beautifully presented. Thank you.

Notice how the light forms around her head like a halo as she sings?

I LOVE this movie. I've seen both versions of it and the original is clearly better. Subscribed because of your great content.

Such a great film. Poor Charles Laughton. People weren't ready for it!

The Night of the Hunter is one of my favourite horror movies, and I pretty much just watch horror (with a broad definition.) You make good points about the nature of the monster, and it goes along well with your Midsommar essay.

It's definitely not an accident that Rachel is played by Lillian Gish, whose gut-wrenching portrayal of an abused child in Broken Blossoms is legendary to this day

This is one of my first favorite horror movies. I was about 11 years old and it scared the holy crap outa me. I was raised by a single mother. who had always tried to teach me about wolves in sheep's clothing.

came here straight from your midsommar video and was so happy to see a video on this movie! Saw it for the first time recently and you really nailed what was so sickening about Powell and so amazing about Rachael and her life and I'm very glad I watched. Thank you :)

Brilliant and insightful.

Looking forward to whatever you're going to do next. Great channel I just wish there was more on it

Thank you for your videos, they always make me think.

I had a teacher show this to us in class when I was growing up in North Dakota in the 80s. I think he showed it to us in part, because it was such a compelling portrait of a small town and conformity and religion. He was definitely a Rachel Cooper sort of person.

Rachel Cooper Forever!!!

I went and watched this movie because of this video and it is brilliantly horrifying and tense.

Such an amazing, underrated movie. Thank you for not just your recognition but your thoughtful and insightful commentary.

One of the greats. Expressionistic mise en scene, the dichotomy of Rachel Cooper and Harry Powell, a child's loss (and regaining) of trust in the adult world, the acting and sound design - everything about this movie is perfect.

The scientific method is pretty good at distinguishing lyers from people who tell the truth. No matter how comforting it is to yourself. It matters if it works when tried out. Lullabies are usually sang with the intent to make the person go to sleep. Stay awake, read up some ethics.

This movie really hits home with me...a timeless classic, as relevant today as it was at the time it was made.

This film is on my top 10 favorite movie list. It horrified me when I watched it as a kid.

That scene has given me chills since I saw it at 15 years old. Thank you for examining this piece of art and making me see it from a new perspective.

The scene underwater...

Btw...the world is in crying need of Rachel Coopers...to offset the Harry Powells.

Fun fact: the line in The Big Lebowski, "the dude abides" was a nod from the Coen brothers to this movie.

Beto O'rourke is doing movie reviews? JK. Thumbs up.

This movie became (and remains) my favorite having seen it (big screen)in a film class at Cornell 15+ years ago. I never tire of it and am always playing it’s ambassador to friends. Your commentary was wonderfully insightful and invigorated by your obvious passion for your work- which shines as brightly as the film. Best of wishes to you !

About to run out and watch this RIGHT NOW! Great work!

It’s ashamed that this masterpiece was taken more seriously when it first came out, because Charles Laughton never directed another movie.

A perfect summation of Night of the Hunter, and of course you highlighted one of the greatest scenes in all of film!

Love this!

I was riveted the 1st time I saw this. I had it pegged as made earlier than it was. I pose a question...is this movie an example of JRR Tolkien's *Eucatastrophe"? What he describes in his essay On Fairy-Stories as the ultimate happy ending, where against all expectation, events conspire to bring good out of evil...like the destruction of the One Ring in LOTR. it's a popular thing in horror movies to do an opposite tack...to flip the ending and reveal that good hasn't won after all. What would certain modern directors done with this story? Rachel Cooper injured or even dead, with Harry Powell in posession of all the money and a houseful of kids at his tender mercies. Would anyone be so crass as to accuse Laughton of a Frank Capra ending. Am I running at the mouth? (Yes on the latter.)

I think by "faith" you mean belonging to a church or something on that line. Faith is enough. He didn't have any.

The Love Hate sermon wasn’t brilliant or convincing. When watching the first time I was surprised the others bought into it.

Hell yeah dude, don't stop.

Came here from your feature on the Eyeball zone on Thought Slime's channel. Gave you a sub because I love your content! Keep it coming!

I know it isn't intentional but you're mirroring me this video. i typically like to watch videos on my laptop in either sleeping or crisscrossed positions. aaaaand I'm sitting criss crossed with my laptop elevated in front of me like your camera.

One of favorite films. I never noticed the intricacies of the lyrical "battle" before, that's amazing.

I need to watch that movie. Thanks!

Oh my word, I LOVE this movie. Thank you for covering it. I've been bingeing your content today, and you deserve all the attention. You better believe I subscribed.

Commenting for the algorithm... great pick, this movie doesnt get enough attention.

amazing video! it made me tear up a bit. I love this movie so much, the themes, the images, the performances, the music everythings fits so flawlessly. i'm in awe at this wonderful work of art

Great video. Anybody that didn't watch this movie, go and watch it!

Damn i love your channel, man. I've never seen this movie and I'm going to go check that out

Oh wow, I have to add this movie to my watchlist!! Beautiful analysis.

Love your videos man you have some great takes on some great films

Inside MY DOLL Inside MY DOLL

the devil all the time saw this video and took notes

Thank you, brilliant!

fuck yeah i looove this movie. have you seen The Wind? Lillian Gish is queen

Monsieur Verdoux, Count Olaf, and Yoshikage Kira, all together in one movie?

WOW !

oh thats good

There's a comic so close to this that it has to be inspired. I think you'd love it. A tattooed woman slips in to a very southern kind of Baptist church community and slowly rises in the ranks until she completely converts and brainwashes the congregation into holding nude mass and group murder. It's told through the perspective of a young boy relaying his story to the police investigating the grisly murder and the boy is so indoctrinated that when he talks about all the horrible things the tattooed woman has done it's not to help the police but shame them for harassing a woman he thinks is so utterly holy and righteous.

Love these. Feel free to do these for non horror movies as well!