THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER

Directed by: Charles Laughton
Written by: James Agee
Studio: United Artists
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Shelly Winters, Lillian Gish
Rated: Not Rated

About the film:
A psychopathic killer pretending to be a preacher woos and weds a bank robber’s widow in hopes to find out where the stolen money is hidden. His plans go awry when the widow’s young children see through his ruse.

Movie Quote:
“Would you like me to tell you the little story of right hand, left hand? The story of good and evil?”
Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) in The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Bible Quote:
“The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.”
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)

Commentary:
The Rev. Harry Powell may be a ‘false prophet,’ but his tattooed fingers do refer to a figure of speech that is used throughout the Bible.

It has long been recognized that the Scriptures often figuratively refer to the right hand as being the hand of blessing or God’s favor. By understanding this figure of speech, we can bring added insight to the message that God is communicating through his Word.

When Christ ascended into heaven, it is stated that he sat down at the right hand of God. In the first healing that was recorded in the Book of Acts, Peter ministered to a lame man and took hold of him with his right hand. At various times in God’s Word, the right hand is called the hand of fellowship, the hand of power, and the hand of righteousness.

Of course, this figurative usage does not carry over to the physical realm. There is no sin in being left-handed. God is no respecter of persons. But when reading the Bible, if we stop to consider the figurative usage of certain biblical phrases or colloquialisms, the depth of our understanding and appreciation of God’s truth will grow.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What is the purpose or biblical meaning of figures of speech? Why does God sometimes use them instead of plainer, more literal phrases?
2. What other examples are in the scriptures of instances where right and left have the figurative meanings of blessing and cursing?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com