The Night of the Hunter

Miss Cooper is one badass beotch!

This film has elements of Hollywood melodrama, noir and German expressionism.

The performances are very melodramatic; far from naturalistic, and I think the viewer should expect that because it might be a little jarring if you expect something else; as evidenced by a couple of other reviews I’ve seen!

It’s like a fairy-tale and it reminds me of The Wizard of Oz in a lot of ways, but with a much darker aesthetic.

People often talk about the underwater scene, which is undoubtedly beautiful and sinister at the same time.

The scenes of the kids drifting down river, with the dreamlike feeling, being sort of a montage with all the nocturnal creatures, making it feel enchanted but quite sinister at the same time. [It’s a hard world for little things]

The scene where he chases the kids up the stairs in the cellar is amazing, reaching out for them like Nosferatu, with the shadows and exaggerated expressionistic movement.

The profile tracking shot of Miss Cooper leading the kids away from the mob looks like a storybook, and I just absolutely loved it!

Powell riding across the landscape in silouhette.

Just so many great, memorable scenes!

The more I think about the film, the more I love it!