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Duel in the Sun

Play trailer Poster for Duel in the Sun 1946 2h 10m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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.

Critics Reviews

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Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Nov 17, 2017
There's no doubt that it goes too far in almost every direction-but that touch of obsession is exactly what saves Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Oct 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. Go to Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times Mar 25, 2006
Oh, brother-if only the dramatics were up to the technical style! Go to Full Review Zita Short InSession Film Feb 1, 2023
The delirious, extravagant final scene elevates Duel in the Sun into the stratosphere of the greats. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Dec 7, 2022
5/10
A dull and needlessly long Technicolor western from King Vidor. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 1, 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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bruce F @bruce999 Aug 4, 2026 well done drama. and western, about two brothers, who have love for the same girl. worth watching See more mark G @Mark_Alan_G. May 9, 2026 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. See more David K @RT61474040 Feb 27, 2026 Jennifer Jones and Gregory Peck are on fire. Well worth the view for lovers of demented characters. See more Todd Jan 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. See more j f @LiberteBurrows Aug 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. See more Apr 21, 2023 Really good one right here. Highly recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas April 21, 2023. See more Read all reviews
Duel in the Sun

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Cast & Crew

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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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Duel in the Sun

Duel in the Sun (1946) Duel in the Sun (1946) Duel in the Sun (1946) View more photos

Movie Info

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
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