That the actors are talented is undeniable. Perhaps they just didn't have time to get it right. But there is nothing about the accents or the pacing which comes across as authentic to me. Where is the heat and humidity of a Mississippi summer?
I appreciate what they were trying to do, but nothing rings true to me. It is unfortunate that the Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives version was so constrained by the censors. They had a feeling for the environment which is not engendered in this version. Whether it was a lack of rehearsal time or a lack of vision on the part of the director I have no idea.