Robert Mitchum delivers a soul-chilling performance as the merciless Reverend Harry Powell, one of many natural "hunters" in the vulnerable world of widows, children and other gentle creatures imagined by screenwriter James Agee, author of Now Let Us Praise Famous Men.  Agee brings his renowned sense of social justice issues to a profoundly touching and unnerving story directed with uncommon artistry by Charles Laughton, and ultimately convinces us that the meek will indeed inherit the earth, by the grace of God and despite the best efforts of man-made religions. 

The justification behind Reverend Powell's craven avarice and violence is grounded in "the religion the almighty and me worked out 'twixt us," but the Almighty seems to have had little input. It is a religion fueled by Powell's bigotry and self-interest rather than scripture, and driven by the use of showy, sloganeering, melodramatic and highly simplistic representations of "good" versus "evil." 

The goals of this religion are power and wealth and its by-product is random destruction. Its followers are found in judgmental and fickle townspeople who do not really know nor care for their neighbors, but only wish them to behave themselves properly. It's victims are the weak, misguided and manipulated lost who stagger under the weight of judgment, confessing to crimes they have not committed, as does Willa Harper (poignantly portrayed by Shelly Winters) while they are robbed and murdered by the truly evil.

Those who resist this religion are the truly good, the innocent ones who keep their promises and flee from evil (which "never sleeps") and their loving protectors, embodied by the character of Miss Cooper (Lillian Gish).  Representing the true Church, Miss Cooper respects the Bible and demonstrates a vibrant, vigilant, sacrificial and courageous faith which understands the frailty of humanity and the complexity of life, while steadfastly serving needy outcasts with nourishment and hope.

Despite harrowing threats, this little church "abides and they endure."  The film's opening pictures the children with Miss Cooper floating among the stars of the night sky, and as Miss Cooper quotes Scripture to them, we are reminded that, despite the evil unleashed by the cruel and greedy of this planet, there are but two earthly things that last forever: God's word and people.

Film Essay by Monica Ganas
Discussion following screening, led by Scott Young.