Sounder (1972)

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:

Martin Ritt

Writers:

Lonne Elder III (screenplay), William H. Armstrong (novel)

Stars:

Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cicely Tyson	...	Rebecca
Paul Winfield	...	Nathan Lee
Kevin Hooks	...	David Lee
Carmen Mathews	...	Mrs. Boatwright
Taj Mahal	...	Ike
James Best	...	Sheriff Young
Eric Hooks	...	Earl
Yvonne Jarrell	...	Josie Mae
Sylvia Kuumba Williams	...	Harriet (as Sylvia 'Kuumba' Williams)
Teddy Airhart	...	Mr. Perkins (as Ted Airhart)
Richard Durham	...	Perkins' Foreman
Wendell Brumfield	...	Deputy #1
Al Bankston	...	Deputy #2
Myrl Sharkey	...	Teacher (as Merle Sharkey)
Inez Durham	...	Court Clerk

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | human dog relationship | animal name in title | boy and dog | boy and his dog | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only Best Picture Oscar nominee that year to not be nominated for Best Director.

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Goofs

After Earl and Josie go to bed after the reunion dinner, the positions of Nathan's hand and cup change.

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Quotes

David Lee: I'm gonna miss this old raggedy place; but, I sure ain't gonna worry about it.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Magic Johnson/Luke Wilson/Roy Wood Jr. (2017)

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Soundtracks

Give Me That Old Time Religion
(uncredited)
Traditional spiritual
Sung by congregation

User Reviews

Beautiful film with great heart

Director Martin Ritt and the cast and crew of this movie have left a great legacy in this simple but moving story of a family's love for one another in the face of great adversity. The family does not succumb to bitterness or hatred but they persevere with hope and great faith in what they can overcome. The story: during the Depression, a family breadwinner is arrested and sent to a year's hard labour for a minor misdemeanour. I saw this movie almost 40 years ago and it made a deep impression. Almost everyone I spoke to who saw it admired it and the reviews were excellent but for some reason, it has been forgotten. I saw the movie again on Martin Luther King Day and rediscovered a story with great universal appeal. The landscape cinematography of Louisiana enhances the movie. Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield are the stars of the film along with Kevin Hooks as the eldest son. The music is stark with the lyrics of a spiritual and the strumming of a stringed instrument. We witness the cruelty of a heartless town and the courage of a friend who is moved to help. In the end, wounded and battered, the family carry on with great love and respect for one another. This movie is a strong statement because of the great character acting. It is a great testament to the human spirit.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 1973 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Sounder

Filming Locations:

Clinton, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,100,601

Company Credits

Production Co:

Radnitz/Mattel Productions, Rainbow Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1