The Night of the Hunter (1955)

There's no denying that this is a strange movie. It is part horror, part drama, with a tinge of comedy. I mean, there's nothing funny about a serial killer pursuing helpless little orphans but it has its awkwardly funny moments. These kids are kind of creepy, not as creepy as the preacher (Robert Mitchum looks really sinister), but almost to the level of little not-very-kid-like Pearl from The Scarlet Letter. The spookiest thing about this movie is the song that the preacher sings. It is an omen of sorts. He leaves "Jesus" out of his lyrics the same way his life (as a preacher) is devoid of God. And playing up the weird factor, the opening sequence uses floating heads in outer space which then cuts to a shaky helicopter shot.

The movie is full of symbolism, both religious and secular. The message about religion is kind of interesting. There are two ways to see it. Though these people in the countryside find solace in The Bible, it does a lot of harm. It has a blinding effect on the mother and on the Spoons, who should've minded their own business and then these poor kids wouldn't be in this living nightmare.

There are some really great shots. It is shot in the style of German Expressionism with diagonal angles and lots of shadow work. My favorite shot is of the kids in the canoe floating down the river. We see the quiet natural surroundings. And then there is an aerial shot of the kids sleeping in the boat that reminded me of Life of Pi when they were all alone finally able to stop and breathe. I wonder if Ang Lee had that in mind...