On Thursday 18th December we bring you a suitably festive screening of The Night of the
Hunter, a Southern Gothic noir from 1955.
Its haunting power has never diminished 70 years on, remaining an unforgettable encounter with light and dark, pure and evil, love and hate. Set in a small town in Depression-era West Virginia, the film follows ruthless convict Harry Powell who, posing as a preacher, attempts to violently con his way to a widow’s hidden loot. Robert Mitchum stars as Powell, putting in a truly terrifying performance which, paired with his iconic tattooed fists, gave the villain legendary status. Despite seeping with Americana, The Night of the Hunter is also, notably, a sole directorial effort from Charles Laughton, a British Yorkshire-born actor. Yet its European roots can be discerned, as the film features some astonishing shadowy visuals heavily inspired by the silent film era (silent film legend Lillian Gish also stars) and various European cinematic movements of the 1920s, namely German Expressionism. Whilst it wears its influences on its sleeve, it has undeniably left its own mark (or tattoo) on American cinema and generations of audiences and filmmakers to come.
Doors from 6pm, film starts at 7pm. Tickets are £6 and as always, include a free drink on arrival. Get yours here.
This project is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network