Intruder in the Dust is one of William Faulkner's classic tales. This film is the 1949 adaptation of Faulkner's tale of the same title. It is a wonderful tale, mystery, and character study; filmed also entirely in Oxford, Mississippi.

Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez) is a proud black man living on and working his own farm. He is a man that is not too popular with the white population because of his "proud attitude". When rough white man, Vinson Gowrie is shot in the back, Lucas is found standing over him. Immediately he is taken in and assumed guilty by the entire town. Lucas elicits the help of a young boy he had helped earlier, Chick Mallison (Claude Jarman, Jr.). Lucas first gets Chick to fetch his lawyer Uncle, John Stevens (David Brian). Stevens agrees to take Lucas' case, but does not think that Lucas is innocent. Lucas encourages Chick to dig up Vinson Gowrie's body to prove it was not his gun that killed the man. Chick and a kind elderly woman, Mrs. Hamersham (Elizabeth Patterson) head out to the Caledonia Chapel to dig up the body and prove Lucas' innocence.

The mystery begins to unfold as Chick finds Gowrie's grave empty. The real murderer had snatched Gowrie's body before anyone could discover that Lucas' gun was not the murder weapon. Lucas' is freed and the real mystery murderer to found and captured.

Intruder in the Dust is a rich tale of the South in the 1940's told by one of the South's greatest authors, William Faulkner. There are some wonderful performances and wonderful characters in this story. Juano Hernandez was superb as the proud Lucas Beauchamp. Claude Jarman, Jr. was wonderful as Chick, the young boy who grew up in many ways through the story.

The most interesting thing about this film, is the location. Living in Oxford, Mississippi for years and growing up in Mississippi; it is interesting to me to see this film which was shot on location in Oxford. The town square in Oxford is much the same, certainly recognizable in this film. To see Faulkner's story told on film in the town he invisioned, is a treat.

Intruder in the Dust is an old film. There are no special effects or big named stars. It is just what Faulkner intended it to be; a story of people and their perseverance.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older