The Sound and the Fury (1959): Cast & Plot
The Sound and the Fury is a 1959 drama directed by Martin Ritt, starring Joanne Woodward as Quentin Compson / Narrator, Françoise Rosay and John Beal. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Martin Ritt
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Sound and the Fury About?
The premise of The Sound and the Fury without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Based on William Faulkner’s intense tale, the drama follows a once‑proud Southern aristocratic family as they grapple with the collapse of their lineage and the erosion of reputation, faith, wealth and honor, all while a forbidden love shatters an unspoken taboo and threatens to reshape their destiny.
The Sound and the Fury Themes & Keywords
· 49 tags- mississippi
- housekeeper
- southern reconstruction
- post american civil war
- dysfunctional family
- southern gothic
- based on novel
- mother daughter reunion
- coming of age
- brother sister relationship
- guardian ward relationship
- carnival worker
+37 more Show fewer
- cologne
- kiss
- drinking tea
- implied affair
- locked in a room
- climbing down a tree
- tree trimming
- commitment to mental hospital
- ultimatum
- uncle niece kiss
- man carries a woman in his arms
- hairy chested man
- horse and carriage
- american literature on screen
- home
- uncle niece relationship
- family relationships
- 1950s
- emotional depression
- emotional abuse
- financial difficulty
- deterioration
- family pride
- deep south
- american south
- mother figure
- mental illness
- lost father
- repetition in title
- strife
- southerner
- mental retardation
- illegitimate daughter
- child born out of wedlock
- estate
- betrayal
- alcoholism
The Sound and the Fury Cast & Characters
Joanne Woodward leads the cast as Quentin Compson / Narrator, with Françoise Rosay as Caroline Compson and John Beal as Howard Compson. Directed by Martin Ritt; 33 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Martin Ritt
-
Joanne Woodward as Quentin Compson / Narrator - Françoise Rosay as Caroline Compson
- John Beal as Howard Compson
-
Yul Brynner as Jason Compson
Also Starring in The Sound and the Fury
· 29 more- Margaret Leighton Caddy Compson
- Ethel Waters Dilsey
- Steven Perry Luster
- Stuart Whitman Charlie Busch
- Albert Dekker Earl Snopes
- Jack Warden Ben Compson
- Jeffrey Sayre Townsman (uncredited)
- Robert B. Williams Carnival Manager (uncredited)
- Esther Dale Mrs. Maud Mansfield
- Michael Jeffers Townsman (uncredited)
- Minta Durfee Townswoman (uncredited)
- William Challee Roustabout (uncredited)
- Roy Glenn Job
- Eugene Jackson Townsman (uncredited)
- Don Ames Townsman (uncredited)
- Emerson Treacy Selby (uncredited)
Show all 33 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Walt Davis Townsman (uncredited)
- Sam Gilman Bus Driver (uncredited)
- Adrienne Marden Effie Mansfield (uncredited)
- Buddy Joe Hooker Boy (uncredited)
- Sally Yarnell Townswoman (uncredited)
- Sid Troy Townsman (uncredited)
- Eddie Smith Townsman (uncredited)
- Bill Gunn T.P.
- Thaddeus Jones Reverend Shegog (uncredited)
- Jean Carson Mary Ellen (uncredited)
- William Stevens Roustabout (uncredited)
- Gary Diamond Boy (uncredited)
- Jay Loft-Lynn Townsman (uncredited)
More from Martin Ritt
More films directed by Martin Ritt, best-rated first: Sounder, Hombre, Norma Rae and Hud.
The Sound and the Fury Plot Summary
What happens in The Sound and the Fury from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Quentin Compson is a 17-year-old girl in the small Mississippi town of Jefferson. She lives with her step-uncle, Jason Compson, who has practically raised Quentin since her mother, Caddy Compson, abandoned her.
Jason serves as the provider for a sprawling household, supporting several relatives and dependents. He helps manage the family’s needs along with his other step-brother, and a mute, mentally handicapped boy named Benjy. The house is also watched over by Jason’s mother and by Dilsey, the loyal housekeeper, with Luster helping to look after Benjy. The arrangement is tense, practical, and bound by money, shelter, and the complex bonds of kinship.
Full summary
The whole story of The Sound and the Fury, scene by scene
The Sound and the Fury Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Sound and the Fury.
How Well Do You Know The Sound and the Fury?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
How old is Quentin Compson?
Cars in The Sound and the Fury
11 cars on screen, including the 1954 Ford Crestline Country Squire and the 1947 ACF-Brill Model IC-41.
-
1954 Ford Crestline Country Squire Important role -
1947 ACF-Brill Model IC-41 Minor role -
1950 Ford Custom De Luxe Minor role -
1955 GMC Blue Chip Minor role
Seen The Sound and the Fury?
Movies Like The Sound and the Fury
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Sound and the Fury, Sound and Fury and Sounder.
The Sound and the Fury FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Sound and the Fury, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Sound and the Fury?
The Sound and the Fury runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was The Sound and the Fury released?
The Sound and the Fury was released on March 27, 1959.
Who directed The Sound and the Fury?
The Sound and the Fury was directed by Martin Ritt.
More films by Martin Ritt Who is in the cast of The Sound and the Fury?
The Sound and the Fury stars Joanne Woodward as Quentin Compson / Narrator, Françoise Rosay as Caroline Compson and John Beal as Howard Compson, among 33 credited actors.
Does The Sound and the Fury have a post-credit scene?
No. The Sound and the Fury has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
