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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 Jan 29, 2021
As producer and director, Brown has maintained brilliant balance between the film's melodrama and its powerful social message. Go to Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe Jan 29, 2021
Intruder in the Dust is not only a great social document but an engrossing, thrilling story of courage and passion. Go to Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News Jan 29, 2021
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Oct 26, 2025
3.5/4
An outstanding drama, and one of the most honest and nuanced social-justice pictures to emerge from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Go to Full Review Donald Kirkley Baltimore Sun Sep 28, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Harold Rogers Christian Science Monitor Aug 17, 2022
In this difficult role Juano Hernandez turns in a sensitive and restrained performance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Noel L @RT15930389 Feb 19, 2026 A great mystery with the message of "Don't judge a book by it's cover" See more Michael F @Michael445 Feb 14, 2026 I was unaware of this movie until I discovered it on HBO Max. A good cast and a good message from this well done 1949 drama. See more Andy M @BowTangey Jan 8, 2023 This is the best film I never heard of, and now my favorite pre-60s black-and-white drama. See more Dec 3, 2020 A story by Mount Faulkner put to film near the time and era it was written. Excellent. See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 21, 2020 A powerful story well told. See more Jan 24, 2020 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. See more 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) 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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