Duel in the Sun

Duel in the Sun Photos

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Cast & Crew

Jennifer Jones
Pearl Chavez

Gregory Peck
Lewton 'Lewt' McCanles

Joseph Cotten
Jesse McCanles

Lionel Barrymore
Sen. Jackson McCanles

Lillian Gish
Laura Belle McCanles

Herbert Marshall
Scott Chavez

Walter Huston
The Sinkiller (Preacher)

Butterfly McQueen
Vashti

Charles Bickford
Sam Pierce

Tilly Losch
Chavez's wife

Harry Carey
Lem Smoot

King Vidor
Director

Niven Busch
Writer

Oliver H.P. Garrett
Writer

David O. Selznick
Screenwriter

David O. Selznick
Producer

Dimitri Tiomkin
Original Music

Allie Wrubel
Original Music

Lee Garmes
Cinematographer

Ray Rennahan
Cinematographer

Harold Rosson
Cinematographer

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Audience Reviews for Duel in the Sun

• Jan 01, 2014

  Originally I had no intentions of seeing this, but, due to the fact that it really angered the Catholic Church back in the day, and the fact that Martin Scorsese, known for his great taste, holds this in high regard (it was the first film he ever saw), I finally got curious and decided to give it a watch and... ...frankly this film is kind of a joke. It's a big, grand, melodramatic western romance that tries to be the western equivalent of Gone With The Wind, and doesn't quite make it there. This is a grand and gorgeous film, but it's also an overlong, overblown, and rather silly soap opera. The plot follows a half breed beauty named Pearl who goes to live with some wealthy relatives after her father is executed for killing his unfaithful wife. Pearl doesn't get on too well with the patriarch, but when it comes to his two sons, well, that's a different story. She falls in love with one, and in lust with the other, with the bulk of the film being a sordid love triangle that, sue, in the mid 40s probably was scandalous due to the sexual tensions and innuendos, but today comes off as tame, and really ridiculous and silly. The film has some okay performances though, like Jennifer Jones as Pearl (though she's not really that believable as a half-breed) and Gregory Peck and Joseph Cotton as the two brothers Pearl is torn between. Lionel Barrymore and lillian Gish are also around, and they help elevate the material some, but even then this is still a bit of a mess, though at least an ambitious one. The film does look great though, with some stunning cinematography and camera work, as well as some decent music,. Unfortunately, this is a very dated picture that's also quite boring. Maybe if this were far shorter it would be a lot better. All in all, I can give this some respect on a technical level, and a bit in the acting area, but overall I can't say I totally liked this.
  Chris W Super Reviewer
• Aug 07, 2013

  Yes, the Jennifer Jones-Gregory Peck stuff is a little over the top but this film is incredibly entertaining. Though not intentionally funny, this is grade A comedy.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• Mar 14, 2012

  A Western soap opera played as if it were Cecil B. DeMille's Ten Commandments, with every iota of the accompanying self-importance and then some, but with only the barest bones of a plot and script. Unintentionally laugh worthy and yet hard not to watch, like a over emotional drunk acquaintance crying over a breakup. "She ain't nor never was worth yer tears, friend."
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• May 12, 2011

  Operatic and over-the-top at times but with great otherwordly photography and good acting.
  George M Super Reviewer