The Most Influential Movie You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

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Night of the Hunter Criticism — We look at the Robert Mitchum classic, and why it continues to be relevant today for countless filmmakers. Subscribe to StudioBinder Academy ►► https://bit.ly/sb-ad StudioBinder Blog ►► http://bit.ly/sb-bl ───────────────────── Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to The Night of the Hunter 01:08 - The History of The Night of the Hunter 02:14 - The Screenplay 03:29 - Film Structure 04:32 - Cinematography 06:54 - Acting 08:08 - Directing 09:42 - The Night of the Hunter's Influence on Cinema 11:35 - Takeaways ───────────────────── NIGHT OF THE HUNTER MOVIE Charles Laughton only made one movie. But that single film has had the resonance of many directors' entire careers. "Night of the Hunter" is a terrifying classic, even though it was a critical and commercial bomb when it was released, and was subsequently forgotten for years. Today, the film is regarded as one of the all-time greats. What about the Robert Mitchum masterpiece is so influential? Why do filmmakers return to it again and again? NIGHT OF THE HUNTER ANALYSIS The film’s story, adapted from the Davis Grubb novel of the same name, centers on a pair of children fleeing from a murderous preacher, Harry Powell, who is after a hidden stash of money. The narrative stands out for its dark fairy-tale tone: it's simple on the surface, yet filled with moral and ethical examinations. The tale becomes an allegory of innocence versus corruption, with children navigating a world where adults cannot be trusted. NIGHT OF THE HUNTER CINEMATOGRAPHY Stanley Cortez’s cinematography in "The Night of the Hunter" is probably its most iconic legacy. The Orson Welles collaborator employed stark black-and-white contrasts, deep shadows, and angular compositions to evoke a German Expressionist aesthetic. The use of light and shadow became a template for countless thrillers and horror films. Iconic shots like the underwater image of the murdered mother in a car have been endlessly referenced. ROBERT MITCHUM PERFORMANCE Robert Mitchum’s portrayal of the Preacher is chillingly charismatic and continues to define the archetype of the charming psychopath who is the embodiment of evil. Actors like Anthony Hopkins, Javier Bardem, and Robert Englund clearly have borrowed from Mitchum when crafting similarly sinister characters. "Night of the Hunter" may not have been a smash hit, and may even have ended the career of its director, but its legacy is nearly unmatched. If you haven't seen this movie– right that wrong! #FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking ───────────────────── ♬ SONGS USED: “Polaris” - Juda Earl “The Festival” - Alfred Newman “A Nightmare On Elm Street Theme” - Charles Bernstein “Quantum IV” - Makeup and Vanity Set “The Hunchback of Notre Dame Main Title and Forward” - Alfred Newman “The Gypsies” - Alfred Newman “John Hates The Preacher” - Walter Schumann “Rachel Defends Her Charges” - Walter Schumann “River Crossing” - Carter Burwell “Main Title (Dune)” - Toto “Hunted” - Walter Schumann “Ruby” - Walter Schumann “The Children Flee” - Walter Schumann “Uncle Birdie” - Walter Schumann “Rachel Cooper” - Walter Schumann “Introduction” - Walter Schumann “The Story Begins” - Walter Schumann Music by Artlist ► https://utm.io/umJx Music by Artgrid ► https://utm.io/umJy Music by Soundstripe ► http://bit.ly/2IXwomF Music by MusicBed ► http://bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq ───────────────────── SUBSCRIBE to StudioBinder’s YouTube channel! ►► http://bit.ly/2hksYO0 Looking for production management solution for your film? Try StudioBinder for FREE today: https://studiobinder.com/pricing — Join us on Social Media! — Instagram ►► https://www.instagram.com/studiobinder Facebook ►► https://www.facebook.com/studiobinderapp Twitter ►► https://www.twitter.com/studiobinder #FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking