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Intruder in the Dust

Play trailer Poster for Intruder in the Dust 1949 1h 29m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez) is a strong, proud African-American man accused of murder in small-town Mississippi in the 1940s. As the town's white residents prepare to lynch him, a teenage boy named Chick (Claude Jarman Jr.) whom Beauchamp had once saved from drowning becomes convinced of the man's innocence, and races to discover the real murderer before it's too late. This film, adapted from William Faulkner's 1948 novel, was made on location in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi.
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Intruder in the Dust

Intruder in the Dust

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Critics Consensus

Like the William Faulkner classic it's adapted from, Intruder in the Dust confronts American racism with skilled storytelling and unflinching courage.

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Critics Reviews

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Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer As producer and director, Brown has maintained brilliant balance between the film's melodrama and its powerful social message. Jan 29, 2021 Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe Intruder in the Dust is not only a great social document but an engrossing, thrilling story of courage and passion. Jan 29, 2021 Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News While we may not like what we see on the screen, we must admit that Brown's intention in capturing the Faulkner yarn on film was a meritorious one. Rated: 3/4 Jan 29, 2021 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An outstanding drama, and one of the most honest and nuanced social-justice pictures to emerge from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 26, 2025 Full Review Donald Kirkley Baltimore Sun Intruder in the Dust is the latest of the four fine screen studies of race problems In this country, and it is in some ways the best. Sep 28, 2022 Full Review Harold Rogers Christian Science Monitor In this difficult role Juano Hernandez turns in a sensitive and restrained performance. Aug 17, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Andy M This is the best film I never heard of, and now my favorite pre-60s black-and-white drama. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member A story by Mount Faulkner put to film near the time and era it was written. Excellent. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review steve d A powerful story well told. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Frances H In some ways this film seems to be a precursor to To Kill A Mockingbird, but then becomes a murder mystery. It is from a classic book, with a great script and cast, and is unusual for 1949 in that it treats very realistically with race relations in the South, but still of its time in its belief in ultimate justice. The revelation of just who the murderer is makes me think of a line a line spoken by Alec Guiness in Doctor Zhivago. A true movie buff will know who the murderer is from this clue alone. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/20 Full Review Audience Member A must see film. A mirror of the racial injustice that was so prevalent in the south during this time period. Juano Hernandez(Lucas) plays the elder statesman. Intelligent, Hard Working and of course framed. David Brian, (Most notably known for his stellar Film Noir work) is outstanding. The Film is dark and raw. An important film that educates as much as it entertains. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member The best movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Intruder in the Dust

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Cast & Crew

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Clarence Brown

Director

David Brian

John Gavin Stevens

Claude Jarman Jr.

Chick Mallison

Juano Hernandez

Lucas Beauchamp

Porter Hall

Nub Gowrie

Elizabeth Patterson

Miss Eunice Habersham

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Intruder in the Dust

Intruder in the Dust (1949) Intruder in the Dust (1949) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez) is a strong, proud African-American man accused of murder in small-town Mississippi in the 1940s. As the town's white residents prepare to lynch him, a teenage boy named Chick (Claude Jarman Jr.) whom Beauchamp had once saved from drowning becomes convinced of the man's innocence, and races to discover the real murderer before it's too late. This film, adapted from William Faulkner's 1948 novel, was made on location in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi.
Director
Clarence Brown
Producer
Clarence Brown
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 10, 1949, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 29m
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