Murderous ex-convict Harry Powell misrepresents himself as a prison chaplain upon his release from prison. The American gothic, Biblical tale of greed, innocence, seduction, sin and corruption was adapted for the screen by famed writer-author James Agee (and Laughton, but without screen credit). The Night of the Hunter also represented the last film score written by Walter Schumann, who died in 1958. Few [films] reach the level of magnificence and genius as the suspenseful, alternately lyrical and visually jarring American gothic creepfest, The Night of the Hunter. The Night of the Hunter is a classic Gothic fairytale: an evil being charms an unsuspecting parent, while only the children are aware that things are not what they seem. Adapted by James Agee from a novel by Davis Grubb, The Night of the Hunter represented legendary actor Charles Laughton's only film directing effort. The book was a national bestseller and was voted a finalist for the 1955 National Book Award Story line and development. Plot Summary. The Night of the Hunter (1955) is a truly compelling, haunting, and frightening classic masterpiece thriller-fantasy, and the only film ever directed by the great British actor Charles Laughton. Directed by Charles Laughton. A portly, homely man with very particular idiosyncrasies and affectations, he was … The Night of the Hunter – review 5 / 5 stars 5 out of 5 stars. The setting for The Night of the Hunter is Cresap’s Landing, a small town on the banks of the Ohio River, which has recently been shocked by a killing during a robbery carried out by Ben Harper (Peter Graves) who now awaits execution, meanwhile sharing a cell with Preacher Harry Powell (Mitchum). It might have been released in 1955, but with its stark black and white photography, irreal set design full of odd angles and larger-than-life villain, it feels like it's from a different era entirely. The Night of the Hunter – review 5 / 5 stars 5 out of 5 stars. The picture has become a cult classic since its release, and is widely regarded by film critics and historians and modern filmmakers as one of the most important pictures of the 1950s. Robert Mitchum is a preaching paterfamilias from hell, and Charles Laughton's … The book is based upon a true story of a frightening man who was hung for murdering two women and three children. The Night of the Hunter is a 1953 thriller novel by American author Davis Grubb. “The Night of the Hunter” Anna N. Beach Paper #1 March 7, 2011 “The Night of The Hunter” is a thriller written by Davis Grubb in 1953. The book is based upon a true story of a frightening man who was hung for murdering two women and three children. The Night of the Hunter [1953] – The Night of the Hunter is best known as a film of 1955 by Charles Laughton, but it was first a great book by Davis Grubb, who based his story on a true case of serial killer Harry Powers, a deranged psychopath who preyed on and killed lonely widows in the late 1920s.