When the movie version of William Falkner's recent novel, "Intruder in the Dust," arrived in Boston last week it brought with it some unusual praise and tributes, not the least of them being a New York Times editorial attesting to its excellence. It is an exceptional film, and an important one, but to this particular reviewer it falls considerably short of greatness.

Of the four or five recent films dealing with some aspect of the Negro problem, "Intruder in the Dust" is probably the least melodramatic, and is surely the most consciously artistic. It is produced and directed by Clarence Brown and he has given it a production that is beautifully detailed and atmospheric. For the latter quality, Mr. Brown took his east and crew to the small university town of Oxford, Mississippi, which is the story's setting as well as Faulkner's hometown.

The people of Oxford, the buildings, and the surrounding woods are all made a vivid part of "Intruder in the Dust." Anyone who has ever lived for any time in a small Southern town should experience a tingle of recognition while watching the film. Mr. Brown's camera gives the best performance in the movie, but it has best material to work with.

Once the plot of "Intruder in the Dust" has been separated from Mr. Faulkner's unique prose style, its characters are found sadly lacking in fullness. The author's writing was frequently so confusing as to give the story an additional element of mystery and suspense it would not otherwise have had.

Both the white young boy who works to save an arrogant and stubborn Negro from a lynching, and the Negro himself, are obscure characters in the film, though they are most important ones. Many things in the movies compensate for the loss of Mr. Faulkner's method of storytelling, but to have been a thoroughly satisfactory piece of drama, the principal characters, particularly the boy, need more dimension.

The fault lies in the script, not in the acting of the east. Claude Jarman, Jr., as the boy, and Jauno Hernandez, as the Negro, are both excellent, especially the former in his portrayal of terror. Elizabeth Patterson gives another of her solid performances as the old lady who believes in justice even for black people.

"Intruder in the Dust" is a motion-picture worthy of your attention even though it is not quite the cinematic milestone advance reports had promised.