MovieChat Forums > The Night of the Hunter (1955) Discussion > IS THERE ANYONE BETTER THAN ROBERT MITCH...

IS THERE ANYONE BETTER THAN ROBERT MITCHUM AT PLAYING BAD?

posted 9 years ago by maitch-1
8 replies | jump to latest

He is the best I've seen. A seething, simmering, understated, all pervading sense of evil that lingers even when he is not in a scene. It is almost worse....where is he, what is he doing? His innate badness is chilling, without him doing much. Although, he did a bit to poor Shelly Winters in this. His face,droopy top lids, physique and casual saunter are so well suited to film noir, its lighting, shadows etc. In this, his preconceived use of religion to hide his evilness is spine tingling. And it doesn't matter if it is men, women or children, he is just bad.

"Take away the pain, but leave the swelling."

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 9 years ago

I've always loved him in this. He is also very chilling in "Cape Fear". No one else could have done "The Night of the Hunter" and "Cape Fear" like him.

[–] maitch-1 9 years ago

Agree with you completely, Doctor. Mitchum /Peck in the original Cape Fear...what a tour de force! Two of the all time greats. I can't even imagine what two modern greats would have to combine to equal that. I tend to migrate towards the old superstars. Charisma ++++. Robert Donat (Mr Chips) was always great. As for evil and suspense, as Hitchcock knew, it wasn't what they did do in the film, more like what they were reputed to have done, and might do.

"Take away the pain, but leave the swelling."

[–] Bodine 8 years ago

I agree with all of the above, I immediately thought of "Cape Fear" as well. The scene where Mitchum stood in the doorway shadows projecting come hither vibes toward the young daughter was utterly chilling. It was like he was channeling Satan himself, and without being arch in any way. No wonder Robert Mitchum populated so many noirs.
BTW, someone mentioned a remake. There is, of course, Martin Scorcese's admirable effort with Nick Nolte and Robert De Niro but those are such big shoes to fill that I believe Scorcese missed his mark, despite the best efforts of all concerned...

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

He was magnificent in this film. Nobody could have played Harry Powell like Mitchum. I've watched him in every movie I can find, and he always delivers. What a man! They don't make movie stars like Robert Mitchum anymore.

And Charles Laughton's direction was brilliant. It's a masterpiece.

[–] PatFilm 8 years ago

Completely agreeing with everything!!
What a pity Charles didn't get the opporutnity to direct more films, sad, very sad!!

[–] buffie1031 8 years ago

He's not just geart at being bad but I also think it's that you just don't know what he's willing to do to get what he wants. You have a sense that he doesn't care what happens and that he'll do the most inhumane things. He was great as playing evil while looking like an angel.

[–] maitch-1 8 years ago

you just don't know what he's willing to do to get what he wants.

he doesn't care what happens and that he'll do the most inhumane things. He was great as playing evil while looking like an angel.

Well said buffie. His face looks SO relaxed and he has droopy top eyelids. His nonchalant saunter and demeanour add to his couldn't care less persona. Whilst underneath he is a seething mass of evil, with malevolent intent.

"Take away the pain, but leave the swelling."

[–] PatFilm 7 years ago

Robert MItchum is unforgettable in 'The NIght of the Hunter'