Review of Duel in the Sun (1946) by Harim K — 27 Mar 2011

Melodramas and love triangles should never be the plot of a western. That should be the lesson learnt from this film. It is essentially a love triangle between a young woman - Pearl who comes to stay at a ranch and who falls in love with the Senator's two sons. Both sons are different; one - Jesse is level headed, educated and polite. The other - Lewt is wild, dangerous, ruthless and hot-headed. Pearl subsequently falls in love with both of them; although with Lewt it's more of a love hate relationship. The story does not fit in with what a western should be about!! It is also very slow moving film and mainly consists of Pearl loving and hating the Lewt. It does pick up slightly during the final scenes which are quite dramatic and suspenseful.

The other negative points are the amount of time Pearl loves then hates Lewt after a while it does become repetitive. The positive aspect of the film is back ground scenery is truly beautiful and used to its full advantage within the film on numerous occasions.

Jennifer Jones is acceptable as Pearl although at times she does seem to overact. An example being every time Pearl bursts into tears it seems she has to throw herself on the floor! However Jones' acting is very good throughout the final scenes. Gregory Peck has the part of Lewt who is seen as the villain of the film and although Peck tries he is not very convincing as a villain!

Overall the story does not suit the film genre and the film up until the end is repetitive and dragged out. It does pick up slightly at the end. It is extremely well filmed with beautiful scenery. The principal actor is ok although she does seem to overdo it at some points. The other principal actor is completely miscast.