Duel in the Sun

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Duel in the Sun

1946

2h 10m

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Tragedy seems to follow Pearl Chavez everywhere she goes. After a domestic dispute results in the death of both of her parents, Pearl moves in with her aunt, Laura Belle, on an expansive farm. When Pearl notices Laura Belle's son, the fiery Lewt, life on the ranch erupts into chaos. The two have a brief courtship, but Lewt abruptly ends the relationship. When Pearl tries to move on, Lewt's jealousy leads to a climactic gun battle between the former lovers.

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

11/17/2017

There's no doubt that it goes too far in almost every direction-but that touch of obsession is exactly what saves

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Variety Staff

Variety

10/20/2008

King Vidor's direction keeps the playing in step with production aims. He pitches the action to heights in the top moments and generally holds the overall mood desired.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

03/25/2006

Oh, brother-if only the dramatics were up to the technical style!

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Zita Short

InSession Film

02/01/2023

The delirious, extravagant final scene elevates Duel in the Sun into the stratosphere of the greats.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

12/07/2022

5/10

A dull and needlessly long Technicolor western from King Vidor. [Full review in Spanish]

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

11/01/2021

3/4

Martin Scorsese saw this at the age of 4, and it's easy to see how it influenced his own career, what with its oversized emotions, sweeping camerawork, and ingrained violence.

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mark G

@Mark_Alan_G. 1d

To say this movie was a bit overdone is a mild understatement. This movie is way overdone. Right down to the 10 minute prelude song leading to the 5-minute overture song. Visually it is nice to look at, the cinematography is strong. Peck is great, he always is, but ihe's not enough to compensate for other overacted performances.

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David K

@RT61474040 Feb 27

Jennifer Jones and Gregory Peck are on fire. Well worth the view for lovers of demented characters.

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Todd

01/24/2025

I’m a 35 year old male who loves cinema, especially the classics. In the year 2025, I am seeing this film for the first time as a reference point. I enjoyed the flick as it’s entertaining but don’t understand the message it shows to women. I would not show this to my daughter or really recommend to anyone. I’m guess if you lr a man and treat women poorly then they won’t be able to resist you is the message? I know it’s way more nuisanced than that but that’s how it reads to me as the conclusion. Bizarre.

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j f

@LiberteBurrows 08/16/2024

Seems to me that 13 minutes of prelude and overture is more than a little presumptuous. Pretty much sets the tone. Impressive pacing keeps steadily adding cr*p to the pile as it progresses. Almost like Selznick was channeling Howard Hughes.

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04/21/2023

Really good one right here. Highly recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas April 21, 2023.

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07/18/2022

Overacting on a grand scale.

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King Vidor

Director

Jennifer Jones

Pearl Chavez

Gregory Peck

Lewton 'Lewt' McCanles

Joseph Cotten

Jesse McCanles

Lionel Barrymore

Sen. Jackson McCanles

Lillian Gish

Laura Belle McCanles

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Synopsis

Tragedy seems to follow Pearl Chavez everywhere she goes. After a domestic dispute results in the death of both of her parents, Pearl moves in with her aunt, Laura Belle, on an expansive farm. When Pearl notices Laura Belle's son, the fiery Lewt, life on the ranch erupts into chaos. The two have a brief courtship, but Lewt abruptly ends the relationship. When Pearl tries to move on, Lewt's jealousy leads to a climactic gun battle between the former lovers.

Director: King Vidor
Producer: David O. Selznick
Screenwriter: Niven Busch, Oliver H.P. Garrett, David O. Selznick
Distributor: Selznick International Pictures, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Production Co: Vanguard Films Production
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 31, 1946, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 25, 2004
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Mono