Night Must Fall

Watch Night Must Fall

"AMAZING! DIFFERENT! UNIQUE!"
  • Passed
  • 1937
  • 1 hr 56 min
  • 7.2  (2,875)

Night Must Fall is an old Hollywood thriller movie that tells a story about a charming psychopath named Danny, played by Robert Montgomery. The film was released in 1937, directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Hunt Stromberg. Danny is a young man who works as a bellboy at a guesthouse in a small English village. His job allows him to satisfy his perverse tendencies by going into guests' rooms and snooping around their belongings. His charm and demeanor also attract the attention of an attractive young woman named Olivia, played by Rosalind Russell, who is a guest at the inn.

After Olivia's elderly aunt Mrs. Bramson, portrayed by May Whitty, hires Danny as her personal servant, her attentive and seemingly empathetic behavior endears him to Aunt Bramson. However, soon Aunt Bramson begins to suspect foul play from a previous visitor, and Danny becomes the main suspect when a woman who had planned to expose his behavior disappears.

The ambiguity of his behavior and the suspicion surrounding his activities leaves the audience wondering whether Danny is innocent or guilty, which adds to the movie's suspenseful atmosphere.

Night Must Fall’s plot was an adaptation of the 1935 play of the same name by Emlyn Williams. The movie was praised for its use of deep shadows and the low-key lighting style, which contributed to the film's noir sensibilities. The film's theme also carried a moral lesson on the danger of trusting people too easily and showcased that looks could be deceiving.

Robert Montgomery was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of the disturbed and lovable Danny. His performance was one of the most remarkable in the movie, along with May Whitty's portrayal of the stern and unyielding Aunt Bramson.

Rosalind Russell also played her part with finesse, especially in difficult and complex scenes that required her to move from arousal to fear and finally to suspicion. The film's music and camerawork also played an essential role in creating a tense, creepy atmosphere that added to the film's overall effect.

It is worth noting that Night Must Fall was remade later in 1964, with a different cast and crew, directed by Karel Reisz. However, the original 1937 film is still widely regarded as one of the best works of the era and continues to inspire filmmakers even to this day.

In conclusion, Night Must Fall is a classic noir thriller that captivates audiences with the character dynamics of its protagonists. As the events unfold, the audience is taken on a journey of mental and psychological suspense, twisting around the plights of the principal characters. Montgomery, Russell, and Whitty deliver spellbinding performances, which set the stage for a cinematic masterpiece that stands the test of time. For lovers of classical film noir, Night Must Fall is a movie that is not to be missed, and it undoubtedly holds its ground even after 80 years since its debut.

Night Must Fall is a 1937 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.

Night Must Fall
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Where to Watch Night Must Fall
Night Must Fall is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Night Must Fall for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1937
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 56 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (2,875)