Film Forum

U.S., 1955
Directed by Charles Laughton
Starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish,
In English
Approx. 92 min. DCP.

“Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms,” sing both shotgun-toting child protector Lillian Gish and lurking psycho preacher Robert Mitchum, sporting a pocket switchblade and fingers tattooed “Love” and “Hate.” Fairy tale and nightmare combine in Laughton’s sole directorial effort, written by legendary critic and screenwriter James Agee.

Reviews

“Haunting and highly personal... clearly the work of a master.”
– The New York Times

“Bizarre, frightening and amazing”
– Robert Gitt, The Guardian

“Among the greatest horror movies ever made”
– Terrence Rafferty, Criterion Collection