The Rev. Powell (Bob Mitchum) ridiculous cruelty and Willa's (Shelley Winters) resignated frustration are superbly shown in this scene of the dreamy tale The Night Of The Hunter, from 1955. The only one movie directed by Charles Laughton.
In some paralel universe people is enjoying more masterpieces from the big man. At least we got this one.
Willa Harper: [Willa and Harry's wedding night] Harry?
Rev. Harry Powell: I was praying.
Willa Harper: I'm sorry. I didn't know. I thought...
Rev. Harry Powell: You thought, Willa, that the moment you walked in that door, I'd start to paw at you in that abominable way that men are supposed to do on their wedding night. Ain't that right, now?
Willa Harper: No, no, no.
Rev. Harry Powell: I think it's time we made one thing perfectly clear, Willa. Marriage to me represents the blending of two spirits in the sight of Heaven. Get up, Willa.
Willa Harper: Harry, what...?
Rev. Harry Powell: Get up. Now go look at yourself yonder in that mirror. Do as I say. Look at yourself. What do you see, girl? You see the body of a woman, the temple of creation and motherhood. You see the flesh of Eve that man since Adam has profaned. That body was meant for begettin' children. It was not meant for the lust of men! Do you want more children, Willa?
Willa Harper: I... no.
Rev. Harry Powell: It's the business of this marriage to mind the two you have now. Not to beget more. Alright, you can get in bed now. Stop shivering.
Willa Harper: [praying] Help me to be clean, so I can be what Harry wants me to be.
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2 comments:
"In some paralel universe people is enjoying more masterpieces from the big man. At least we got this one"
Amen to that. I envy the film-goers of that paralel universe: they are most probably able to watch the two films that Laughton had in store after NOTH: "The Naked and The Dead" and "you can't go home anymore"
And let's not forget "I Claudius" that the big man couldn't complete. Well, you tell me, i can see that you are the expert when it comes to Laughton!
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