Shooting Faulkner's tale of murder, racism, and redemption lasted six weeks and involved an estimated five hundred extras from the Oxford area. The world premiere took place in Oxford at the completely remodeled Lyric Theatre on October 11, 1949, proclaimed "William Faulkner Day" by Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright. Southern newspapers, Life Magazine, and Movietone News were in attendance when Faulkner granted a rare interview. Asked what he admired most about the film, the author replied, "I liked the way Mr. Brown used bird calls and saddle squeaks and footsteps in place of a lot of loud music telling you what emotion you should be experiencing."

Although Intruder was a critical success and Brown won the British Academy Award for "Best Director," box office sales were sluggish. As one of three films in 1949 dealing with race relations it has been suggested by critics that the public was saturated and this may have affected Intruder's reception.