The Night of the Hunter (1955): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 drama thriller directed by Terry Sanders, starring Lillian Gish, Billy Chapin and Sally Jane Bruce. It is based on The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb and Julia Keller. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $6,287 worldwide. Critics gave it 97 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Terry Sanders
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- United Artists
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Night of the Hunter About?
The premise of The Night of the Hunter without spoilers, adapted from The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb and Julia Keller. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After serving time for arson and murder, a manipulative preacher is released and becomes fixated on finding money hidden by a recently executed convict. He targets a widowed mother and her two young children, using a false facade of righteousness to gain their trust while secretly plotting to find the stolen funds. The film explores themes of good versus evil, and the vulnerability of innocence in the face of calculated deception and escalating danger.
The Night of the Hunter Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- widow
- southern gothic
- psychopath
- national film registry
- child
- doll
- promise
- great depression
- secret
- murder
- christmas
- car theft
+38 more Show fewer
- drunkenness
- fishing
- spanking
- loss of father
- cellar
- brother sister relationship
- 1930s
- hidden money
- switchblade
- child in jeopardy
- skiff
- talking to oneself
- suspense
- american south
- barn
- convertible
- single mother
- cult film
- execution
- wedding night
- theft
- religious fanatic
- sleeping in a boat
- sleeping in a barn
- peach brandy
- singing
- west virginia
- shadow
- pocket watch
- hayloft
- tattoo
- arrest
- stolen money
- marriage
- false preacher
- corpse
- rowboat
- small town
The Night of the Hunter Cast
Lillian Gish leads the cast, with Billy Chapin and Sally Jane Bruce. Directed by Terry Sanders; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Terry Sanders
Also Starring in The Night of the Hunter
· 6 moreThe Night of the Hunter Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Night of the Hunter 97 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 97 Metascore
User score 8.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 79% User score
See on TMDB
The Night of the Hunter Plot Summary
What happens in The Night of the Hunter from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Night of the Hunter begins with a cosmic panorama, where Rachel Cooper (Lillian Gish) narrates an intricate Southern Gothic tale to a group of children, imparting essential life lessons about the fleeting joys of childhood and the lurking menaces of “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” As we plunge into the story, John (Billy Chapin) and his younger sister Pearl (Sally Jane Bruce) engage in a game of hide and seek around their homestead. A playful hunt leads them to the secrets hidden in their surroundings, including a chilling encounter with the sinister Reverend Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), who is driving a stolen Model-T while fervently conversing with the Lord about his mission to rid the world of its wickedness—particularly targeting “vain women” who ensnare men with their allure.
Full summary
The whole story of The Night of the Hunter, scene by scene
The Night of the Hunter Box Office
The Night of the Hunter grossed $6,287 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$6.3K
- International
- $4.7K
The Night of the Hunter Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer The Night of the Hunter (Modern Trailer)
How Well Do You Know The Night of the Hunter?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the main antagonist in 'The Night of the Hunter'?
Cars in The Night of the Hunter
5 cars on screen, including the 1925 Ford Model T and the 1922 Buick.
-
1925 Ford Model T Important role -
1922 Buick Minor role -
1929 Buick Silver Anniversary Minor role -
1926 Chevrolet Superior Background role
The Night of the Hunter Also Known As
37 alternative titles, including “猎人的夜晚” and “雾夜惊魂”.
- Also known as
-
- 猎人的夜晚
- 雾夜惊魂
- Mensageiro do Diabo
- 사냥꾼의 밤
- De jagersnacht
- Noc lovce
- Leylat alsayyad
- Natten og floden
- Pimeydessä vaeltava
- Ο θανατοποινίτης με το σημάδι
- Shab-e shekarchi
- Kariudo no yoru
+25 more Show fewer
- La nit del caçador
- Die Nacht des Jägers
- Trasdockan
- Räsynukke
- La morte corre sul fiume
- La Nuit du chasseur
- Ночь охотника
- 猎人之夜
- La noche del cazador
- Noc myśliwego
- Lovcova noc
- A Sombra do Caçador
- Caniler Avcısı
- A vadász éjszakája
- ליל הצייד
- Η Νύχτα του Κυνηγού
- O Mensageiro do Diabo
- Noaptea vânătorului
- Ніч мисливця
- 獵人之夜
- شب شکارچی
- 狩人の夜
- Kludedukken
- Noć lovca
- Medžiotojo naktis
Seen The Night of the Hunter?
Movies Like The Night of the Hunter
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Night of the Hunter, Night of the Hunted and Night of Dark Shadows.
The Night of the Hunter FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Night of the Hunter, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Night of the Hunter?
The Night of the Hunter runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was The Night of the Hunter released?
The Night of the Hunter was released on July 27, 1955.
Who directed The Night of the Hunter?
The Night of the Hunter was directed by Terry Sanders.
More films by Terry Sanders Who is in the cast of The Night of the Hunter?
The Night of the Hunter stars Lillian Gish, Billy Chapin and Sally Jane Bruce, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Night of the Hunter make at the box office?
The Night of the Hunter grossed $6,287 worldwide.
How is The Night of the Hunter rated?
The Night of the Hunter has 97 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.
Is The Night of the Hunter based on a book?
Yes. The Night of the Hunter is adapted from The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb and Julia Keller.
Does The Night of the Hunter have a post-credit scene?
No. The Night of the Hunter has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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