Duel in the Sun

Cast

Jennifer Jones
as Pearl Chavez

Gregory Peck
as Lewton "Lewt" McCanles

Joseph Cotten
as Jesse McCanles

Lionel Barrymore
as Senator Jackson McCanles

Lillian Gish
as Laura Belle McCanles

Walter Huston
as The Sin Killer

Herbert Marshall
as Scott Chavez

Charles Bickford
as Sam Pierce

Joan Tetzel
as Helen Langford

Thomas P. Dillon
as Engineer

Harry Carey
as Lem Smoot

Otto Kruger
as Mr. Langford

Sidney Blackmer
as The Lover

Tilly Losch
as Mrs. Chavez

Scott McKay
as Sid

Butterfly McQueen
as Vashti

Francis McDonald
as Gambler

Victor Kilian
as Gambler

Griff Barnett
as The Jailer

Frank Cordell
as Frank

Dan White
as Ed

Steve Dunhill
as Jake

Lane Chandler
as Captain, US Cavalry

Elizabeth Lloyd Shaw
as Barbecue Caller

Bert Roach
as Eater

Si Jenks
as Dancer at Barbecue

Hank Worden
as Dancer at Barbecue

Rose Plummer
as Dancer at Barbecue

Guy Wilkerson
as Barfly

Lee Phelps
as Engineer

Al Taylor
as Man at Barbecue

Orson Welles
as Narrator

Tom Dillon
as Engineer

Bob McKenzie
as Bartender

Johnny Bond
as Hand at Barbeque

Charles Dingle
as Sheriff Hardy

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Critic Reviews for Duel in the Sun

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

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