The Sound and the Fury (1959)

Drama focusing on a family of Southern aristocrats who are trying to deal with the dissolution of their clan and the loss of its reputation, faith, fortunes and respect.

Director:

Martin Ritt

Writers:

Irving Ravetch (screenplay), Harriet Frank Jr. (screenplay)

Stars:

Yul Brynner, Joanne Woodward, Margaret Leighton

Cast

Cast overview:
Yul Brynner	...	Jason Compson
Joanne Woodward	...	Quentin Compson / Narrator
Margaret Leighton	...	Caddy Compson
Stuart Whitman	...	Charlie Busch
Ethel Waters	...	Dilsey
Jack Warden	...	Ben Compson
Françoise Rosay	...	Mrs. Caroline Compson
John Beal	...	Howard Compson
Albert Dekker	...	Earl Snopes
Steven Perry	...	Luster (as Stephen Perry)
Bill Gunn	...	T.P., Dilsey's Grandson (as William Gunn)
Roy Glenn	...	Job

Storyline

Loosely based on the William Faulkner novel, this movie follows the lives and passions of the Compsons: a once-proud Southern family now just barely scraping by both financially and emotionally. Howard passes the time in a bottle; his brother Bengy is child in a man's body; sister Caddy has come crawling home after years of being kept by a string of "admirers". Only Jason, the cruel, cold-hearted adopted head of the family, and Quentin, who was abandoned at birth by Caddy, have the fire and the fury needed to put the family back on its feet again.

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Plot Keywords:

mississippi | southern reconstruction | post american civil war | southern u.s. | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

William Faulkner's blistering story of love that breaks the unwritten commandment !

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1959 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,710,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jerry Wald Productions,Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Margaret Leighton replaced Lana Turner.

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Goofs

When Caddie and Quentin are talking in Caddie's bedroom, the shadow of the boom mic is visible in the mirror above the dressing table.

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Quotes

Jason Compson: Anybody could make you feel like a woman!

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Connections

Version of The Sound and the Fury (2014)

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Soundtracks

Beautiful Dreamer
(uncredited)
Music by Stephen Foster
Played by the band in the park when Quentin is talking with Jason

User Reviews

Woodward is cute...Brynner is magnificent!

I've been longing to see this Southern Classic since last year. Thanks to YouTube. Actually, I prefer watching the movie version than the original Faulkner novel, which is too confusing and complex. After reading through some of the previous comments, I thought this movie was really as bad as they said.In fact, however, different people have different views.

The movie plot is mostly taken from the Jason Compson part, and I was glad that it centers on Miss Quentin rather than her mother, Caddy(I never find her character that attractive from the book)Joanne Woodward was already 28 when she played Miss Quentin, but she was quite convincing as a 16-year-old girl with her short blonde hair and tiny body, mischievous, optimistic and tough at the same time. Maybe you might think that picking handsome, charismatic Yul Brynner as a southern patriarch is kind of weird, but friends, they changed the original Jason character into Cajun French, and having that thick European accent is normal and compelling enough. I must say that Brynner is no doubt a very good actor, especially when he reveals his expressions with his beautiful, intensive brown eyes. The ice-cream eating scene between Brynner and Woodward is really tender when he gazes at her, asking "Can't You?" right after she smilingly says she could not imagine Jason would be in love with someone. Moreover, the kissing part between Jason and Quentin is one of the most underrated passionate romance scene I have ever seen on screen. It is both romantic and hilarious as we watch Quentin hugs Jason back because she is finally infatuated with her tyrannical yet gorgeous non-blood related guardian.

Supporting actresses Ethel Waters and Margaret Leighton also gives fabulous and brilliant performances. I find Leighton as classy as ever in the Caddy role. For Faulkner Fans, you may find this movie absurd. On the other hand, you may see this Martin Ritt Film as interesting and enthralling as possible.