The oldest son of a loving and strong family of black sharecroppers comes of age in the Depression-era South after his father is imprisoned for stealing food.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Cicely Tyson | ... |
Rebecca
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| Paul Winfield | ... |
Nathan Lee
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| Kevin Hooks | ... |
David Lee
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| Carmen Mathews | ... |
Mrs. Boatwright
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| Taj Mahal | ... |
Ike
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| James Best | ... |
Sheriff Young
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Eric Hooks | ... |
Earl
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Yvonne Jarrell | ... |
Josie Mae
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Sylvia Kuumba Williams | ... |
Harriet
(as Sylvia 'Kuumba' Williams)
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Teddy Airhart | ... |
Mr. Perkins
(as Ted Airhart)
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Richard Durham | ... |
Perkins' Foreman
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Wendell Brumfield | ... |
Deputy #1
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Al Bankston | ... |
Deputy #2
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Myrl Sharkey | ... |
Teacher
(as Merle Sharkey)
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Inez Durham | ... |
Court Clerk
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William T. Bennett | ... |
Judge
(as Judge William Thomas Bennett)
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Thomas N. Phillips | ... |
Pastor
(as Reverend Thomas N. Phillips)
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Carl Braser | ... |
Wagon Driver
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| Jerry Leggio | ... |
Guard #1
(as Jerry Leggio Jr.)
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Peter Goff | ... |
Guard #2
(as Pete Goff)
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Walter L. Chaney | ... |
Guard #3
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Roy Idom | ... |
Guard #4
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Randy Wilson | ... |
Convict #1
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Isaac Greggs | ... |
Convict #2
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Jackie Spears | ... |
Girl #1
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Porter Mathews | ... |
Boy #1
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Timothy Smith | ... |
Boy #2
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Spencer Bradford | ... |
Clarence
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| Janet MacLachlan | ... |
Camille
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Swampy | ... |
Sounder (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Martin Ritt | ||
Written by
| Lonne Elder III | ... | (screenplay) |
| William H. Armstrong | ... | (novel) |
Produced by
| Robert B. Radnitz | ... | producer |
Music by
| Taj Mahal | ||
Cinematography by
| John A. Alonzo | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Sidney Levin | ... | (as Sid Levin) |
| Michael A. Hoey | ... | (uncredited) |
Editorial Department
| Roy E. Peterson | ... | assistant editor (as Roy Peterson) |
| Ken Zemke | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Joe Scully | ||
Production Design by
| Walter Scott Herndon | ... | (as Walter Herndon) |
Production Management
| Don Guest | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Don Guest | ... | assistant director |
| Charles Washburn | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Louis Donelan | ... | property master |
| Robert Krume | ... | construction coordinator |
| Peter Wooley | ... | assistant art director |
Sound Department
| Dennis Jones | ... | boom operator |
| Tom Overton | ... | sound mixer |
| Jerry Rosenthal | ... | post-production sound |
| Robert Rogow | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Jerry Brutsche | ... | stunt performer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| William W. Gillohm | ... | still photographer (as Bill Gillohm) |
| Richard Hart | ... | gaffer |
| Roy Hogstedt | ... | first assistant camera |
| Joe R. Marquette Jr. | ... | camera operator (as Joseph Marquette Jr.) |
| Chuck Record | ... | key grip |
| Timothy E. Wade | ... | second assistant camera (as Timothy Wade) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Nedra Rosemond-Watt | ... | wardrobe (as Nedra Rosemond Watt) |
Location Management
| Linda Acaldo | ... | location secretary |
| Bryan Lindoff | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Taj Mahal | ... | music performer |
| Norman B. Schwartz | ... | music editor (as Norman Schwartz) |
| Alex North | ... | composer: unused music (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marvin Weldon | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Jack Lietzke | ... | transportation manager |
Additional Crew
| Nancie Gilbert | ... | production secretary |
| Frank Weatherwax | ... | animal trainer |
| Ted Bonnet | ... | unit publicist (uncredited) |
| Neil R. Lipes | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| William T. Bennett | ... | we wish to thank (as Judge William T. Bennett) |
| Arch V. Doughty | ... | we wish to thank (as Sheriff Arch V. Doughty) |
| John Williams | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Twentieth Century Fox (1972) (United States) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Company (1972) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- MGM-Fox Films (1973) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1973) (France) (theatrical)
- Fox-MGM Film (1973) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- MGM-Fox (1973) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1973) (Australia) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1975) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- 20th Century Fox India (1978) (India) (theatrical)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (1998) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Sterling Entertainment Group (2002) (United States) (DVD) (double-billed with "A Dog of Flanders")
- United American Video (2002) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Walt Disney Home Video (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Buena Vista Home Video (United States) (VHS) (clamshell case)
- MarVista Entertainment (2003) (World-wide)
- Force Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
- Koch Vision (2008) (United States) (DVD)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2011) (United States) (DVD)
- Legacy Distribution (2021) (United States) (Distribution Executive)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cinemobile Systems (locations)
- Columbia Records (courtesy of: Taj Mahal's songs)
- EMI Blackwood Music Inc. (copyright: Taj Mahal's songs)
- Panavision (camera equipment provided by)
- Panavision (filmed in)
- The St. Helena Parish School Board (we wish to thank)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The Morgans, a loving and strong family of Black sharecroppers in Louisiana in 1933, face a serious family crisis when the husband and father, Nathan Lee Morgan, is convicted of a petty crime and sent to a prison camp. After some weeks or months, the wife and mother, Rebecca Morgan, sends the oldest son, who is about 11 years old, to visit his father at the camp. The journey becomes something of an odyssey for the boy. During the journey, he stays a little while with a dedicated Black schoolteacher.
Written by Ed Cannon |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Cicely Tyson commented in a TCM interview that director Martin Ritt's cinematographer (principal cameraman), while shooting the famous "homecoming sequence" with Tyson and co-star Paul Winfield, was so moved by their performances that he was certain he missed framing the action properly in the shots and respectfully asked them to do the difficult scene again. They obliged, but later examination of daily rushes revealed that they got shot and acting perfect the first time, and the first take was a print. See more » |
| Goofs | James Best as the Sheriff wears sideburns that, while characteristic for 1972, when the film was made, are definitely out of fashion for 1933, when it is set. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Life and Death of the Black Movie (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Needed Time (Theme from Sounder) See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The 20th Century Fox fanfare doesn't play during the opening. See more » |
| Quotes |
David Lee:
Miss Johnson? Don't you teach in your school about folk who ain't dead? Camille: Sure! Here's one about a man who's very much alive. Dr. William E.B. DuBois. David Lee: What does he talk about? Camille: Here, I'll read something he said: [reading from "Of the Training of Black Men"] Camille: "The longing of black men must have respect." [pauses to explain to David Lee] Camille: Which means a man and a woman are human and must be treated that way. [continues reading] Camille: "The rich and bitter depth of their experience, the unknown treasures of their inner life, the strange rendings of nature they have seen, may give the world new points of view and make their loving, living, and doing precious to all human hearts. And to themselves in these days that try their souls, the chance to soar in the dim blue air above smoke is to their finer spirits boon and guerdon for what they lose on earth by being black." David Lee: You're a nice lady, Miss Johnson. See more » |