The late actor Robert Mitchum was born 97 years ago today. It is especially fitting, then, to discuss what was arguably his best performance: the cunning Reverend Harry Powell in Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter.
The film itself is notable for many reasons, and especially unique in the canon of film noir. It features impeccable cinematography that borrows heavily from the German Expressionists. It eschews the classic noir urban settings like Los Angeles and New York City for the gothic South. It has influenced today's most prominent directors, David Lynch. Jim Jarmusch, and the Coens among them. Still, its most impressive element just might be its villain and the powerhouse performance delivered by Mitchum.
The Reverend Harry Powell is a serial killer who travels the country preying upon women, marrying and subsequently killing them in the name of God. "These are the things that you do hate, Lord," he says, praying to himself. "Perfume smellin' things, lacy things, things with curly hair." In the pursuit of these "godly" obligations, he hears the rumour of a widow whose husband had robbed a bank and hidden the money. Sure that the widow must know where it is (she doesn't), Powell rushes to court her and her two children.
Of course, Mitchum's portrayal of Powell is impeccable. He allows the audience to see the impossible, psychotic evil that lies beneath the charming exterior. Mitchum showcases Powell's dichotomy perfectly; we perceive his malevolence while at the same time experiencing the believe-ability of Powell as the ultimate con man.
This dichotomy is echoed liberally throughout the film. Powell has the words "LOVE" and "HATE" tattooed across his knuckles, and he explains to the children why:
"Ah, little lad, you're staring at my fingers. Would you like me to tell you the little story of right-hand/left-hand? The story of good and evil? H-A-T-E! It was with this left hand that old brother Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low. L-O-V-E! You see these fingers, dear hearts? These fingers has veins that run straight to the soul of man. The right hand, friends, the hand of love. Now watch, and I'll show you the story of life. Those fingers, dear hearts, is always a-warring and a-tugging, one agin t'other. Now watch 'em! Old brother left hand, left hand he's a fighting, and it looks like love's a goner. But wait a minute! Hot dog, love's a winning! Yessirree! It's love that's won, and old left hand hate is down for the count!"
The dicotomy between love and innocence and hate and evil is also emphasized with the juxatopsition between Powell and JJohn and Pearl Harper. There's something especially terrifying about watching Mitchum share the screen with the widow's children. They are innocent and good, and when Powell sweet talks them, touches them, or even looks at them, it seems as though he might be actively corrupting their sweet souls.
Mitchum's ability to radiate the absolute power of evil is tremendous. The result is a villain which the cinematic world will never forget, a villain who will be referenced again and again, a villain who will haunt the minds of every viewer.
this guy's outfit as the reverend powell is reminescent of dipper's outfit in sock opera
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