The Sound and the Fury Poster

The Sound and the Fury 1959

★ 6.616 votes110 min📅 1959-03-27

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

Dive into the turbulent 1959 adaptation of William Faulkner's haunting novel, *The Sound and the Fury*, directed by Martin Ritt.

Director: Martin Ritt

Cast

Yul Brynner
Yul Brynner
Jason Compson
Joanne Woodward
Joanne Woodward
Quentin Compson / Narrator
Margaret Leighton
Margaret Leighton
Caddy Compson
Stuart Whitman
Stuart Whitman
Charlie Busch
Ethel Waters
Ethel Waters
Dilsey
Jack Warden
Jack Warden
Ben Compson
Albert Dekker
Albert Dekker
Earl Snopes
John Beal
John Beal
Howard Compson
Françoise Rosay
Françoise Rosay
Caroline Compson
Steven Perry
Steven Perry
Luster

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Sound and the Fury (1959) about?

This film traces the downfall of the Compson family, once prominent in Jefferson, Mississippi, as their legacy of alcoholism and sin erodes their standing. Jason fights to hold the family together while his stepsister Quentin's defiance and a mother's return escalate the chaos, pushing the family toward irreversible ruin.

Who directed The Sound and the Fury?

Martin Ritt directed the film, bringing Faulkner's Southern Gothic intensity to the screen with a sharp, dramatic lens.

Who stars in The Sound and the Fury?

Joanne Woodward leads alongside Yul Brynner, with standout performances from Margaret Leighton, Stuart Whitman, and Ethel Waters as pivotal members of the fractured family.

Is The Sound and the Fury (1959) worth watching?

As a gripping drama rooted in Faulkner's literary legacy, *The Sound and the Fury (1959)* offers a raw, atmospheric experience for fans of Southern storytelling. While not widely rated on IMDb, its themes of family decay and moral struggle make it a thought-provoking watch for drama enthusiasts.

How long is The Sound and the Fury?

The Sound and the Fury runs for 110 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About The Sound and the Fury (1959) — A Faulkner Classic in Stark Southern Drama

Dive into the turbulent 1959 adaptation of William Faulkner's haunting novel, *The Sound and the Fury*, directed by Martin Ritt. This gripping Southern Gothic drama follows the once-proud Compson family as their Mississippi home crumbles under the weight of alcoholism, decay, and moral decay. At the heart of the story is Jason, the pragmatic brother clinging to order, and his rebellious teenage stepsister, Quentin, whose fragile innocence clashes with the family's unraveling legacy. When Quentin's estranged mother returns and a seductive carnival worker enters the picture, the family hurtles toward irreversible collapse.

Starring screen legends Yul Brynner and Joanne Woodward, this adaptation captures the raw intensity of Faulkner's prose with stark realism and emotional depth. Themes of guilt, heritage, and the inescapable past permeate every frame, immersing viewers in an atmosphere of melancholy and inevitability. A story where love and duty collide, *The Sound and the Fury (1959)* is a poignant exploration of a family— and a way of life— slipping into oblivion.