The Night of the Hunter 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Night of the Hunter" delivers an exceptional viewing experience that highlights the film’s iconic visual style and atmospheric cinematography with remarkable clarity and depth. This new 4K restoration, available in a combo pack that also includes the Blu-ray with supplemental features, offers a crisp and detailed Dolby Vision presentation, which has been leveraged to enhance the film’s black-and-white imagery. The native 4K resolution brings out a level of detail in textures, facial features, and the environment that surpasses previous releases. The film grain is more refined, preserving the original aesthetic while offering a cleaner, sharper image. Comparisons with Criterion's previous Blu-ray release, restored in 2K, reveal both to have their merits, but the 4K presentation edges out with its superior dynamic range and denser shadows without crushing detail.

The aspect ratio presented in this release is 1.85:1, differing from Criterion’s 1.66:1. While some purists may debate the correctness of this choice, it does not detract from the overall quality of the image; if anything, it provides a slightly broader view that may offer a new perspective on the film's composition. The HDR and Dolby Vision enhancements significantly improve the visual depth, making the darks sinfully deep and the lights strikingly bold without becoming overwhelming. This careful balance ensures that the grayscale retains its nuanced shades, enhancing the atmospheric tension and dramatic effects intrinsic to the film’s aesthetic.

Despite minor discrepancies in grain exposure and the inherent limitations around optical transitions, which result in a noticeable shift in image quality ahead of dissolves to new scenes, "The Night of the Hunter" on 4K UHD stands as a definitive home viewing experience. The attention to detail in this restoration respects and underscores the film’s stylistic significance, ensuring that its haunting beauty is preserved for contemporary audiences to appreciate. The handling of light and shadow is meticulous, resulting in an image that feels both fresh and timeless—a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted black-and-white cinematography when matched with cutting-edge presentation technology.

The Night of the Hunter's 4K UHD Blu-ray release comes equipped with two stellar audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. This dual offering provides listeners with the versatility to experience the film’s auditory landscape in a manner that suits their setup best. While both tracks maintain excellent clarity and stability, without any significant anomalies, it is the 5.1 track that stands out for its subtle enhancements. The sound effects and dialogue are impeccably clear across both tracks, indicating careful preservation of the original elements.

The added dimension provided by the 5.1 remix is particularly noteworthy for its respectful amplification of Walter Schumann’s memorable score, bringing a new level of auditory boldness to the film without overwhelming the source material. This track manages to stay true to the film's mono origins by centering most audio elements while judiciously spreading musical cues to create a richer soundscape. However, it's worth mentioning that this surround sound experience does not extend to an aggressive spread of sound effects or dialog, which mainly remain anchored to the front and center, preserving the film’s original auditory intent.

Despite the enhancements, some purists may question the necessity of diverging from the Criterion collection’s original LPCM Mono track, citing the minimal surround experience offered by the 5.1 update. Essentially, both the DTS-HD MA 2.0 and 5.1 tracks deliver a clean, faithful audio experience that enhances without detracting from the classic film’s essence. Yet, compared to the more authentic LPCM mix, these newer iterations don’t significantly elevate the auditory experience, suggesting that while the updates are competently executed, they may not offer enough variation to justify straying from the original mono presentation for some enthusiasts.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Night of the Hunter" comes equipped with a plethora of special features that enhance the viewing experience. The most notable is the comprehensive audio commentary by novelist and critic Tim Lucas, whose insights bring fresh perspectives even to those familiar with the film's intricate lore. The inclusion of an isolated music and effects track allows audiences to delve deeper into the film's atmospheric sound design, appreciating the nuances of its score and sound effects. On the bonus Blu-ray disc, new programs featuring insights from filmmaker Ernest Dickerson, actress Kathy Garver, and artist Joe Coleman offer layered interpretations of the film's visual symbolism, casting processes, and underlying themes inspired by true events. Though these features may not be as expansive as those found in Criterion’s release, they offer significant value, especially for enthusiasts eager to explore the film’s artistic and historical contexts further.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring Tim Lucas.
• Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack: DTS 2.0.
• LOVE and HATE: Ernest Dickerson discusses the film.
• Little Lambs: Kathy Garver reminisces about her role.
• Hing, Hang, Hung: Joe Coleman explores the symbolism.
• Trailer One: Vintage trailer.
• Trailer Two: Remastered vintage trailer.
• KLSC Trailer Gallery: Includes trailers for "Not As A Stranger", "Man With the Gun", "Secret Ceremony", "The Raging Tide", "He Ran All The Way", "Witness for the Prosecution", "12 Angry Men", and "The Killing".

The Night of the Hunter, directed by Charles Laughton and presented by Kino Lorber in a stunning 4K UHD Blu-ray edition, encapsulates an ever-relevant allegory on the pitfalls of blind faith and the peril of false prophets, themes as haunting today as they were in post-WWII America. The movie expertly navigates the complex interplay between religion, sex, and money against the bleak backdrop of the Great Depression, offering a narrative deeply steeped in Christian doctrine yet sternly critical of its exploitation by malevolent forces. Robert Mitchum delivers an unforgettable performance as Harry Powell, a nefarious preacher whose chilling portrayal of evil, robed in sanctity, brings to life the film’s dark critique of superficial piety and the dangers of credulity.

Visually, The Night of the Hunter is a masterpiece of cinematic artistry. The brilliant work of director of photography Stanley Cortez, in conjunction with Laughton’s visionary direction, crafts a gothic-noir atmosphere that significantly augments the film's suspenseful narrative. Using techniques like forced perspective and rear projection, they weave a tantalizingly eerie aesthetic that, along with Mitchum’s mesmerizing performance, imbues the film with a haunting quality that lingers long after the credits roll. This blend of thematic depth and visual inventiveness not only cements the film as a pioneering classic but also highlights Laughton’s tragically unfulfilled potential as a director.

In essence, The Night of the Hunter’s resurrection through this 4K UHD presentation does more than merely revitalize its technical brilliance; it reaffirms its position as a profound commentary on human vice and virtue. With performances that range from Mitchum’s embodiment of diabolical charm to Lillian Gish’s formidable resilience and Shelley Winters’ tragic vulnerability, the film traverses the vast landscape of American societal fears with a finesse that makes it both a stunning spectacle and a deeply reflective piece of cinema history. Its story—rooted in grim reality yet elevated by its stylized presentation—remains a compelling exploration of good versus evil, rendered all the more captivating through its visually arresting 4K restoration.

Kino Lorber's release of "The Night of the Hunter" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray marks a significant milestone in the preservation and appreciation of this classic film. The new 4K makeover breathes life into the haunting, allegorical tale with remarkable clarity and depth. While the main attraction is certainly the native 4K presentation, it should be noted that the accompanying standard Blu-ray disc does not offer this 4K upgrade but rather a host of unique bonus features. Though these features differ from those found in Criterion’s 2010 Blu-ray edition, they present a fresh opportunity to delve deeper into the film's rich legacy. This release is essential for collectors and aficionados of cinema history, offering a viewing experience that is both visually stunning and historically significant.

Despite its initial box office failure and being the sole directorial effort from Charles Laughton, "The Night of the Hunter" has ascended to legendary status over the decades, celebrated not only as a pinnacle of the horror thriller genre but also as a masterpiece of film. Robert Mitchum's portrayal of the diabolical Harry Powell remains a high watermark of cinema villainy. The 4K disc’s Dolby Vision transfer showcases the film’s striking contrasts and moody atmospherics with impeccable finesse, although opinions may vary regarding the framing. The audio enhancement to surround sound, while not revolutionizing the soundscape, still offers an appreciable clarity to the film’s auditory dimension.

Conclusively, this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "The Night of the Hunter" by Kino Lorber is not just a technological upgrade; it's a tribute to a film that has transcended its initial misfortunes to become an indelible piece of cinematic history. While it might lack the full suite of special features seen in previous releases, the pristine quality of the restoration and the inclusion of worthwhile extras make it a commendable addition to any collection. The combination of its allegorical richness, supreme performances, and technical enhancements ensure that it comes highly recommended for both newcomers and lifelong fans seeking to experience the film in its most striking format yet.