Disturbing yet enthralling

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Martin Ritt adapted William Faulkner's "The Hamlet" in 1958 (the film was released as "The Long, Hot Summer"). He followed this up with another Faulkner adaptation, "The Sound and The Fury", released one year later. It's a trite and plodding melodrama.To the ire of Faulkner fans, Ritt's adaptation condenses the vast time spans of Faulkner's novel down to but a few days. Gone too are most of the novel's characters and subplots. Ritt does make one interesting change, though, choosing to tell his tale through the eyes of a teenage girl who was but a minor character in Faulkner's original novel. This lends the film an interesting perspective; the antithesis of Ritt's earlier Faulkner adaptation.The film's plot, like the plays of Tennessee Williams, is mostly overcooked melodrama, filled with antebellum landscapes, totems of the Deep South, wealthy land owners, backwater Mississippi characters and many familial dysfunctions. It co-stars Yul Brynner as Jason Compson, a once wealthy man who is forced to sell his land, shop and work for a new owner. Compson's desire to cling to the past – his previous wealth, and the heydays of antebellum life – exhibits itself as a manic desire to prevent his step-niece (Joanna Woodward) running away from the family. He thus interferes in her life as a means of preserving his own past. The film boasts a jazz score by Alex North.5/10 – For Ritt completists only.

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.

Yul Brynner is at his best! His commanding presence is spellbinding. His acting, superb as the appointed Guardian of Joanne Woodward who gives a great performance as his rebellious and attractive ward. The cast is believable, full of unusual characters that are typical of Tenessee Williams' survivors of the grandeur of the Old South, now long gone. The tension that builds between the Guardian (Yul Brynner) and his ward (Joanne Woodward) is entertaining and exciting to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and recommend it highly to anyone who would enjoy taking a look into the present day remnants of the Old South. Four stars!!!

I would love to see this movie again and have been searching for a copy of it for a very long time. I believe when I saw it on TV I was about 15 years old. I'm 33 now so that means I have spent the last 18 years thinking about this movie, wanting to see it again and searching for it. That should tell you how wonderful this movie really is!! Yul Brynner and Joanne Woodward are exceptional, as always. I tried reading the novel, but became frustrated with the text. I'm going to try rereading it this summer since Oprah announced it as one of her book club picks. But in the meantime, won't someone bring it to home video?!! Thanks!!