The Fool Killer
1965·Mystery·1h 39m
7.1
★
After the Civil War, a southern boy, aged 12, runs away from his foster home, wanders the countryside, and meets various odd characters along the way, including Milo, a mysterious drifter who may or may not be the vengeful "Fool Killer" of folklore.
Directed by Servando González
runaway
foster parents
spanking
serial killer
orphan
preacher
axe murder
runaway child
adult child friendship
impulsive drifter
anti-social behaviour
revival meeting
post american civil war
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Anthony Perkins
Milo Bogardus
Edward Albert
George Mellish
Dana Elcar
Mr. Dodd
Henry Hull
Dirty Jim Jelliman
Salome Jens
Mrs. Dodd
Arnold Moss
Reverend Spotts
Lana Wood
Alice
Crew
Servando González
Director
Dorothy Jeakins
Costume Design
Popular Reviews
4 reviews
Andrew Warren
7.0★ · 07/05/25
TCM Two for One w/ Director Joe Dante
The Fool Killer is a really interesting piece in film history. From Mexican director Servando Gonzalez, The Fool Killer stars the legendary Anthony Perkins and is a film that was clearly inspired by Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter.
The film follows George (Edward Albert), a young boy who runs away from his stepparents after being whooped. He stays with an old man, “Dirty” Jim (Henry Hull), in his shack for a couple days. Dirty Jim tells him the story of The Fool Killer, an 8-foot tall man who kills fools. George becomes scared of Jim, and runs away. He then meets Milo (Anthony Perkins), who becomes an older brother figure to George. The few days with Milo are some of the best days of his life, until he leaves George with no goodbye. A disappearance as puzzling as the murder of a pastor, that looms large over the town George is staying in.
Like I said, this film was clearly inspired by The Night of the Hunter. A lot of interesting camera movements, with looming shadows, reminiscent of the cinematography in Laughton’s film. This film also has a religious aspect, with a fiery scene of a pastor yelling to the audience about being sinners. It brings a spiritual awakening to George, much to the chagrin of Milo.
If you love Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, then I’d recommend checking this film out. And even if you aren’t a fan of this film, this film still offers a lot of interesting ideas, mostly with its cinematography.
The Fool Killer is a really interesting piece in film history. From Mexican director Servando Gonzalez, The Fool Killer stars the legendary Anthony Perkins and is a film that was clearly inspired by Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter.
The film follows George (Edward Albert), a young boy who runs away from his stepparents after being whooped. He stays with an old man, “Dirty” Jim (Henry Hull), in his shack for a couple days. Dirty Jim tells him the story of The Fool Killer, an 8-foot tall man who kills fools. George becomes scared of Jim, and runs away. He then meets Milo (Anthony Perkins), who becomes an older brother figure to George. The few days with Milo are some of the best days of his life, until he leaves George with no goodbye. A disappearance as puzzling as the murder of a pastor, that looms large over the town George is staying in.
Like I said, this film was clearly inspired by The Night of the Hunter. A lot of interesting camera movements, with looming shadows, reminiscent of the cinematography in Laughton’s film. This film also has a religious aspect, with a fiery scene of a pastor yelling to the audience about being sinners. It brings a spiritual awakening to George, much to the chagrin of Milo.
If you love Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, then I’d recommend checking this film out. And even if you aren’t a fan of this film, this film still offers a lot of interesting ideas, mostly with its cinematography.
TCM Two for One w/ Director Joe Dante
The Fool Killer is a really interesting piece in film history. From Mexican director Servando Gonzalez, The Fool Killer stars the legendary Anthony Perkins and is a film that was clearly inspired by Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter.
The film follows George (Edward Albert), a young boy who runs away from his stepparents after being whooped. He stays with an old man, “Dirty” Jim (Henry Hull), in his shack for a couple days. Dirty Jim tells him the story of The Fool Killer, an 8-foot tall man who kills fools. George becomes scared of Jim, and runs away. He then meets Milo (Anthony Perkins), who becomes an older brother figure to George. The few days with Milo are some of the best days of his life, until he leaves George with no goodbye. A disappearance as puzzling as the murder of a pastor, that looms large over the town George is staying in.
Like I said, this film was clearly inspired by The Night of the Hunter. A lot of interesting camera movements, with looming shadows, reminiscent of the cinematography in Laughton’s film. This film also has a religious aspect, with a fiery scene of a pastor yelling to the audience about being sinners. It brings a spiritual awakening to George, much to the chagrin of Milo.
If you love Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, then I’d recommend checking this film out. And even if you aren’t a fan of this film, this film still offers a lot of interesting ideas, mostly with its cinematography.
The Fool Killer is a really interesting piece in film history. From Mexican director Servando Gonzalez, The Fool Killer stars the legendary Anthony Perkins and is a film that was clearly inspired by Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter.
The film follows George (Edward Albert), a young boy who runs away from his stepparents after being whooped. He stays with an old man, “Dirty” Jim (Henry Hull), in his shack for a couple days. Dirty Jim tells him the story of The Fool Killer, an 8-foot tall man who kills fools. George becomes scared of Jim, and runs away. He then meets Milo (Anthony Perkins), who becomes an older brother figure to George. The few days with Milo are some of the best days of his life, until he leaves George with no goodbye. A disappearance as puzzling as the murder of a pastor, that looms large over the town George is staying in.
Like I said, this film was clearly inspired by The Night of the Hunter. A lot of interesting camera movements, with looming shadows, reminiscent of the cinematography in Laughton’s film. This film also has a religious aspect, with a fiery scene of a pastor yelling to the audience about being sinners. It brings a spiritual awakening to George, much to the chagrin of Milo.
If you love Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter, then I’d recommend checking this film out. And even if you aren’t a fan of this film, this film still offers a lot of interesting ideas, mostly with its cinematography.
1
crgc
8.0★ · 02/02/26
sodachamp
8.0★ · 02/16/25
christy
4.0★ · 11/27/24