Intruder in the Dust (1949) was directed by Clarence Brown The plot was adapted for the screen from a novel by William Faulkner. The scene is Oxford, Mississippi, which was Faulkner's home town. He knew what he was writing about, and what he was writing about was terrible.
Juano Hernandez portrays Lucas Beauchamp, a proud Black landowner who lives in a society where Black people aren't supposed to be proud. Beauchamp is accused of murdering a white man. There's plenty of circumstantial evidence to suggest that he did, indeed, commit the murder. This portrayal of a black man who refused to bow down to prejudice is absolutely brilliant. It was certainly progressive for its time. Very few theaters in the south would even screen it..
In situations like this, no one expects a trial. Everyone knows that Beauchamp will be lynched.
John Gavin Stevens (David Brian) is Beauchamp's lawyer. Even he thinks Beauchamp is guilty. The best he can hope for is a change of venue. Then, if Beauchamp pleads guilty, he probably won't be executed. Of course, in Oxford, that trial may never happen.
Claude Jarman Jr. portrays Chick Mallison, Stevens' nephew, who is determined to save Beauchamp. This isn't a "kid detective" piece. Chick is brave and intelligent, but he can't stand up against a whole town.
Elizabeth Patterson plays Miss Eunice Habersham. Miss Habersham is an elderly upper class white woman. She is the bravest person in the movie. A scene in which she confronts the murdered man's brother was the highlight of the film for me.
We saw this movie at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of the "Reinventing Hollywood" series. We were able to see it in 35mm, but it will work very well on the small screen.
This film was considered very important in its time, but it's rarely screened now. It has a very high IMDb rating of 7.7. I think it's even better than that. Find it and see it!
Juano Hernandez portrays Lucas Beauchamp, a proud Black landowner who lives in a society where Black people aren't supposed to be proud. Beauchamp is accused of murdering a white man. There's plenty of circumstantial evidence to suggest that he did, indeed, commit the murder. This portrayal of a black man who refused to bow down to prejudice is absolutely brilliant. It was certainly progressive for its time. Very few theaters in the south would even screen it..
In situations like this, no one expects a trial. Everyone knows that Beauchamp will be lynched.
John Gavin Stevens (David Brian) is Beauchamp's lawyer. Even he thinks Beauchamp is guilty. The best he can hope for is a change of venue. Then, if Beauchamp pleads guilty, he probably won't be executed. Of course, in Oxford, that trial may never happen.
Claude Jarman Jr. portrays Chick Mallison, Stevens' nephew, who is determined to save Beauchamp. This isn't a "kid detective" piece. Chick is brave and intelligent, but he can't stand up against a whole town.
Elizabeth Patterson plays Miss Eunice Habersham. Miss Habersham is an elderly upper class white woman. She is the bravest person in the movie. A scene in which she confronts the murdered man's brother was the highlight of the film for me.
We saw this movie at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of the "Reinventing Hollywood" series. We were able to see it in 35mm, but it will work very well on the small screen.
This film was considered very important in its time, but it's rarely screened now. It has a very high IMDb rating of 7.7. I think it's even better than that. Find it and see it!