The River Niger (1976)

An intimate look at life in the ghetto: Johnny Williams is a house painter who moonlights as a poet, struggling to financially and emotionally support his cancer-ridden wife Mattie. But ... See full summary »

Director:

Krishna Shah

Writers:

Joseph A. Walker (play), Joseph A. Walker (screenplay)

Stars:

Cicely Tyson, James Earl Jones, Louis Gossett Jr.

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Cicely Tyson	...	Mattie Williams
James Earl Jones	...	Johnny Williams
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Dr. Dudley Stanton (as Lou Gossett)
Glynn Turman	...	Jeff Williams
Jonelle Allen	...	Ann Vanderguild
Roger E. Mosley	...	Big Moe Hayes
Ralph Wilcox	...	Al
Teddy Wilson	...	Chips
Charles Weldon	...	Skeeter
Shirley Jo Finney	...	Gail
Hilda Haynes	...	Wilhelmina Geneva Brown
Zakes Mokae	...	Dutch
Ed Crick	...	White Police Lieutenant
Tony Burton	...	Black Policeman

Storyline

An intimate look at life in the ghetto: Johnny Williams is a house painter who moonlights as a poet, struggling to financially and emotionally support his cancer-ridden wife Mattie. But times are tough and the poverty-troubled streets are even tougher, and it takes every ounce of Johnny's love and courage for the couple to make it through their strife, finding redemption in the River Niger.

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Plot Keywords:

love | poet | house painter | ghetto | symbolism | 

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Taglines:

Some rivers can't be dammed...some people won't be broken.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Niger is the principal river of Sub-Saharan Western Africa as well as one of the biggest countries in the west part of Saharan Africa that got its name after the river. It's also the title of the main character Johnny Williams' symbolic poem about the river.

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Connections

Referenced in Call Me Angel, Sir (1976)

User Reviews

Work of Art

This is a must see film.This movie is poetry in itself. Thumbs up to this work!!! The unconditional love between Tyson's character and Jones' character exuded the power of 'Black Love'. The very fact that through out the entire movie, you were constantly reminded of God's power and creativity, was captivating, especially the poetry. Turman's character's awakening to the sleeping giant within, to fight the oppressive system that has held back the African American race for generations, decision to fight back with intelligence instead of violence was a move in the right direction to solid change. Violence is only a temporary solution to a life long problem. To not spoil the end, Jones' character, what can I say, selfless hero! This movie should be viewed by all young African American men and women. This will remain a classic!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

The River Niger

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

River Niger Company, Asanti Productions Inc., Gossett Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1