Duel on the Mississippi

In 19th century Louisiana, sugar is king and the line between ally and enemy is often blurred. The notorious pirate Lili Scarlet sweeps into the Tulane estate, seizing the crop and taking control of the villagers' debt, offering Jules Tulane a temporary reprieve in exchange for servitude. Her new arrangement places Andre Tulane in a subordinate role, but a spark of attraction forms between the young man and Scarlet. The pair face suspicion and rivalry when Scarlet's former lover, the skilled swordsman Hugo, reappears intent on staking a claim and punishing any who stand in his way. Together they confront the threat to the estate.

Released in 1955, Duel on the Mississippi was directed by William Castle with a screenplay by Gerald Drayson Adams, featuring Lex Barker and Patricia Medina, and showcasing Castle's early genre work.

Box office figures for this title are not publicly documented, reflecting its status as a modest mid-1950s Western drama, with little lasting impact on box office records.

Critics noted brisk pacing and solid performances that keep the melodrama taut. The film fuses Western frontier grit with a Louisiana mood, exploring power over land and debt, plus a romance crossing class lines. Its compact runtime makes it a lean genre piece.