Thunder in the Sun is a 1959 American Western film directed by Russell Rouse and starring Susan Hayward and Jeff Chandler.

Plot

The film shows a family of French Basque immigrants pioneering into the Wild West in 1850 while carrying their ancestral vines. Hard drinking trail driver Lon Bennett is hired to lead them and he falls for the spirited Gabrielle Dauphin.

Cast

Production

The film was made by Seven Arts Productions and acquired by Paramount for distribution. It was the company's third film, after Gunrunners and Ten Seconds to Hell. It was known during filming as Between the Thunder and the Sun and The Gun and the Arrow. Filming started 21 July 1958 with location work in Mount Whitney.

Reception

The film is infamous among Basques for its misunderstandings of Basque customs, such as the use of the xistera (a device of the jai alai sport) as a weapon or shouting irrintzi ululations as meaningful communication. Other commentators, though, have noted the well-staged action scenes, the absorbing story, and the excellent cinematography. Variety called it "leaden and mundane."