The Rev. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) is a religious fanatic and serial killer who targets women who use their sexuality to attract men. Serving time in prison for car theft, he meets condemned murderer Ben Harper (Peter Graves), who confesses to hiding $10,000 in stolen loot. Released from jail, Powell is obsessed with finding the money, and he tracks down Harper's widow, Willa (Shelley Winters), and her two children, John (Billy Chapin) and Pearl (Sally Jane Bruce).
Robert Mitchum
Shelley Winters
Director Charles Laughton
Screenplay James Agee
Producer Paul Gregory
Cinematography Stanley Cortez
Editing Robert Golden
Music Walter Schumann
Distributor United Artists
Film Noir Confidential