Duel in the Sun

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Legendary producer David O. Selznick dreamed of another magnum opus like his 1939 production of Gone with the Wind; he also purposed to make Jennifer Jones, his ladylove and eventually second Mrs. Selznick, a megastar. Accordingly, he micromanaged the making of Duel in the Sun (Lust in the Dust to some), an extravagant Technicolor epic about the collision of the old West with the new, wide-open spaces with railroads and barbed wire, and hot-blooded outlaws with civilized folk, often wimpy or unwell. Beginning among giant rocks drenched in a blood-red sunset, with velvet-voiced Orson Welles intoning the leibestod legend of doomed Pearl Chavez and her demon lover, Duel never strays far from lush romanticism, spiced with a dash of S/M. Orphaned Pearl (Jones) comes to live at Spanish Bit Ranch, where frail Laura Belle McCanles (Lillian Gish) tries to make a lady of her, despite her questionable origins and insistent voluptuousness. Sexual license versus law--Pearl's choices--are symbolized by the McCanles brothers: dark, undisciplined Lewt (a lubriciously wicked Gregory Peck) and reasonable, forward-looking, repressed Jesse (Joseph Cotten). The cast is huge (Lionel Barrymore, Walter Huston, Harry Carey, Herbert Marshall, Charles Bickford, Butterfly McQueen) and there are unforgettable set pieces: summoned by a cacophony of bells, the gathering of McCanles cowboys from the four corners of the earth; Pearl in heat, clutching Lewt's leg and being dragged across the floor as he makes his getaway to Mexico; and the lovers' final shootout among those red rocks, as orgiastic a finale as you could ask for. --Kathleen Murphy

Description

From the acclaimed producer of Gone With the Wind comes a torrid tale of passion and romancethat's loaded with "all the sweep and panache of a giant American action movie" (The New Yorker)! "Flawlessly cast" (The Film Daily) with a bevy of film legends, including Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten, Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish, this salacious saga is "virtuallyimpossible not to love" (The Hollywood Reporter)! When her father is hanged for murdering his wife, the stunning beauty Pearl (Jones) is taken in by a wealthy Texan, his wife and their two grown sons (Peck and Cotten). But Pearl soon becomes trapped in an emotional tug-of-war between her love for one son and her lust for the other, igniting the most tempestuous triangle the West has ever seen!

Customer Reviews:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel".......2007-08-12

DUEL IN THE SUN, otherwise known as "Lust in the Dust" to it's devotees and detractors, remains a guilty pleasure. Full of grand artifice and excess, not to mention Jennifer Jones in a role light-years away from her usual screen assignments, it remains an enjoyable diversion.

Half-caste beauty Pearl Chavez (Jennifer Jones in heavy tropical makeup) is orphaned and goes to live with distant cousins in Texas. Pretty soon she's caught in the middle of a love-duel between brothers Lewt (Gregory Peck) and Jesse (Joseph Cotten), who both want to have her.

The casting of Gregory Peck as the carnal, savagely-sexual Lewt was a masterstroke. Playing against his usual screen persona, Peck instantly commands the screen with his impressive performance. By contrast, Joseph Cotten positively pales as his weak-willed brother Jesse. Lillian Gish and Lionel Barrymore play the parents and manage to climb beyond caricature territory; however Gish's death scene is totally ridiculous. Butterfly McQueen plays the feather-brained domestic (but she might as well be reprising her "Gone with the Wind" role of Prissy).

Comparisons to "Gone with the Wind" have dogged DUEL IN THE SUN since it's original release. It was no secret that producer David O. Selznick wanted to fashion a movie that would emulate some of the visual splendor of GWTW (not to mention the same box-office success). From the rich-red sunsets to the sprawling running time, DUEL IN THE SUN follows the formula, but the overall standard of acting is too forced and florid to truly connect with audiences in the special way that GWTW did.

DUEL IN THE SUN does have the spectacular Jennifer Jones and Gregory Peck in it's favour; when these two stars take to the screen you can't help but be riveted. The DVD includes the full theatrical Prelude and Overture musical sequences.

Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure..........2007-08-05

Everything about 'Duel in the Sun' is overripe: the music, the photography (those red sunsets a la GWTW), the strong emotions and the climactic duel on a blazing desert sun by the two mismatched lovers. Indeed, the excesses are almost operatic in proportion--and yet, a viewer can get caught up in this sprawling western rightly termed "Lust in the Dust" by some reviewers.

The rampant sensuality of the steamy scenes between Peck and Jones are emphasized by Dimitri Tiomkin's luscious background score which becomes blistering and intense for the climactic shootout. Overproduced, overacted, overwritten--it still entertains and makes us appreciate the genius of David O. Selznick whose hand on all of the material is quite evident.

Jennifer Jones was nominated for her tempestuous Pearl Chavez (but lost to Olivia de Havilland for 'To Each His Own'). Lillian Gish deserved her Oscar nomination. And last but not least, let's not forget Walter Huston, who gives the most realistic and enjoyable performance in the entire film as The Sin Killer--a wickedly funny portrayal.

Weakest aspect of the film is Gregory Peck's easygoing villain--his whole performance strikes a false note and is not the least bit convincing. He and Joseph Cotten should have switched their roles--Cotten always made a more believable villain than Peck (as in "Shadow of a Doubt").

Selznick obviously was striving to make a western on the level of GWTW--even including Butterfly McQueen for comic relief. All in all, fun to watch if you don't take any of it seriously. Not exactly a work of art--but definitely worth watching. And, oh, that ripe technicolor, topped by Orson Welles' pretentious and deeply baritone narration and Dimitri Tiomkin's pounding score.

The only bland role in the whole film is played with dignity and warmth by Charles Bickford, so low-key that he appears to be acting in another film altogether. He's quite a contrast to all the high tension excesses of Jones and company.

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It.......2006-08-03

Overacted, overstaged, too colorful--"Duel in the Sun" makes that "I'll never be hungry again" scene in GWTW look understated.

The strange music, Pearl's weird dancer movements, a totally carnal Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten so repressed that you would swear if he took off his clothes he'd be like a paperdoll with the underwear printed on, the cruelty...WOWEE. Someone said it was an opera and that's what it is, all right. They could be singing the lines with broad sweeping gestures and too much flesh and makeup.

I love this movie although, again like some other reviewers, I found it was an acquired taste.

SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT.......2006-05-19

The legendary Producer David O. Selznick,of Gone with Wind Fame,wanted to produce another classic and he mightily tried with Duel in the Sun,directed by King Vidor,and starring Selznicks' paramour and later wife Jennifer Jones.
Ms Jones is Pearl Chavez a half breed who lands on her "white" relatives ranch,run by reactionary Lionel Barrymore.The fetching ms Jones attracts the attention of Barrymores' amoral son Lewt,played by Gregory Peck.
After a great opening the film becomes something of a bore with Peck playing a rather repulsive character.
Lillian Gish,Herbery Marshall, Charles Bickford,Joseph Cotton,Walter Huston,hamming it up as a bogus preacher,Otto Krueger,and Harry Carey,sr.,all lend a colorful hand to the very mediocre proceedings.The technicolor is great and there is an excellent score by Dimitri Tiomkin.

the first truely "adult" western.......2006-05-09

this is a very high camp western and as a child i didn't care for it much. now that i'm older i find i really enjoy this cheesey slice of the west. gregory peck(long before the boys from brazil)is a very bad man and he is really very good. matching him step for step is the lovley jennifer jones as his love/hate romance in the movie.
one last thing the ending is ,well the best word for it is really campy. buy it and see .
the transfer looks good and the film has never looked better.

Always in My Heart (1942) [Import] - Musical

Average customer rating:

Always In My Heart, ...Always!

Always in My Heart (1942) [Import] - Musical
Starring: Kay Francis , Walter Huston , and Gloria Warren
Director: Jo Graham
Manufacturer: Classicline
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GFH1JM

Product Description

Brand new, factory sealed, fully licensed DVD manufactured in Brazil. NTSC format. Playable on any North American DVD player. Full screen black and white image. Original English dialog with optional subtitles in Portuguese. Portuguese subtitles can be easily turned off. After many years, MacKenzie Scott is pardoned from prison, but his wife is already involved with another man. Nevertheless, he travels incognito to his family's town. There he befriends his daughter Victoria, who doesn't recognize him, and encourages her musical abilities. Cast includes Walter Huston, Kay Francis, and Gloria Warren.

Customer Reviews:

Always In My Heart, ...Always!.......2007-09-01

I'd been drawn to the movie initially by the fact that it included a young Diana Hale (then billed as Patty Hale) in the cast. Diana would go on to be a featured singer with the original Vogues singing trio in 1958 (not related to the later popular 1960's quartet). This apparently was her first movie, whereas she would later go on to be featured in two FLICKA movies with Roddy McDowell. Aside from that, everything else about the movie would be icing on the cake. Or so I thought...

This Movie far exceeded my expectations! As a Family Drama, it can be compared to with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, which wouldn't happen for another 4 years. All the characters bond wonderfully, given their individual trials throughout the movie (I won't spoil it by giving away any of the plot, which is partially inaccurate in the description). The movie allowed the characters to develope enough to the point of drawing you in and to feel what they were feeling. The musical numbers were all well done. I'm no fan of operatic singing, but my eclectic tastes allowed me to fully enjoy Gloria Warren's fine voice. The harmoica playing by the Rascals balanced it out so well that I think anyone of any musical taste would enjoy it.

If you get a chance to see this movie, even once, by all means SEE IT! Apparently the movie is only available as a Brazilian Import, but the movie settings can be adjusted without any subtitles.

The only downside to the DVD itself was that the maker of the DVD flashed it's decal every so often in the corner of the screen, a couple of times I noticed during the opening credits, and then once (that I caught) during the middle of the movie. Aside from that, I thank them for not overdoing it.

Fred Clemens

Average customer rating:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel"
Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure...
110% Over-the-Top & I Love It
SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT
the first truely "adult" western

Duel in the Sun
Starring: Jennifer Jones , Joseph Cotten , Gregory Peck , Lionel Barrymore , and Herbert Marshall
Director: King Vidor , William Cameron Menzies , and Josef von Sternberg
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305307083
Release Date: 1999-01-19

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel".......2007-08-12

Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure..........2007-08-05

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It.......2006-08-03

SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT.......2006-05-19

the first truely "adult" western.......2006-05-09

Average customer rating:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel"
Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure...
110% Over-the-Top & I Love It
SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT
the first truely "adult" western

Duel in the Sun (Roadshow Edition)
Starring: Jennifer Jones , Joseph Cotten , Gregory Peck , Lionel Barrymore , and Herbert Marshall
Director: King Vidor , William Cameron Menzies , and Josef von Sternberg
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Cowboys & Indians | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Romance | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Westerns | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305808074
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel".......2007-08-12

Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure..........2007-08-05

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It.......2006-08-03

SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT.......2006-05-19

the first truely "adult" western.......2006-05-09

Average customer rating:

Duel in the Sun/Junior Bonner
Starring: Double Feature
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000M9BS4G
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Average customer rating:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel"
Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure...
110% Over-the-Top & I Love It
SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT
the first truely "adult" western

Duel in the Sun [Region 2]
Starring: Jennifer Jones , Joseph Cotten , Gregory Peck , Lionel Barrymore , and Herbert Marshall
Director: King Vidor , William Cameron Menzies , and Josef von Sternberg
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000059RNL

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Jennifer Jones stirs up plenty of lust in this western "Duel".......2007-08-12

Overproduced western epic is a guilty pleasure..........2007-08-05

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It.......2006-08-03

SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT.......2006-05-19

the first truely "adult" western.......2006-05-09

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