Sounder

Grateful movie.

Academy award nominations: Picture, Leading Actor-Paul Winfield, Leading Actress-Cicely Tyson, Screenplay Based on Another MediumMarch Boy awards: Leading Actress-Cicely Tyson, Cinematography, Costume Design and Set Design.Sounder is a 1972 film based on William Armstrong's Newberry Medal winning novel, directed by Martin Ritt and starring Paul Winfield, Cicely Tyson and Kevin Hooks in the leading roles. The plot centers on a family of poor black farmers struggling to make ends meet in the Great Depression. The father is arrested for stealing a pig from another farm and sent to work in the quarries. The oldest son David is sent by his mother to find the camp and send word if the guards and policemen are treating him well. He finds the camp but is unable to locate his father so he goes home. On his way he meets an all-black school and makes friends with the teacher who offers to take him on as a student over the autumn. A few days after his return, his father is released from the prison because he broke his leg in a dynamite explosion. The father warns his son never to get in a fix like his--never to steal since the ends do not justify the means. He and his wife agree to send David to the school and the film ends. Sure, the movie isn't without shortcomings. The shot composition is dull at times--there's not a lot of close up's like the master shot sequence where Nathan and his family and friends are coming home from the baseball game and talking. The beginning raccoon hunt and walk home from baseball could have stood to lose a couple minutes and the overall folksiness feel gets a little obnoxious and annoying sometimes.But I feel like the REAL glories of the movie lie in the little things--the moments of humor and poignancy--how the Morgan family had such a strong sense of family and community--the wealthy white lady Mrs. Boatwright helping them find out about Nathan's sentence and how to get to the camp--Camille washing David's wounded hand--and of course Rebecca running down the road to her husband at the end--beautiful touching moments.But my favorite part has to be when Mrs. Boatwright confronts the sheriff about not letting the Morgan family know where Nathan has been sent simply because...WELL YOU KNOW WHY. After he refuses and leaves his office she muses for a moment over her failure to keep her promise to David to find out about his father. But then suddenly she sees David at the door. He had followed her and overheard her conversation with the sheriff and she didn't even know it. One look on that little boy's face is enough for her--she is NOT going to give up THAT EASILY! So she digs through the files on the dresser! Go Granny go!Paul Winfield and Kevin Hooks fit their roles like gloves as the father and son and Carmen Mathews' Mrs. Boatwright is a welcome presence but the real star of the show is Cicely Tyson's world weary Rebecca. The scene where she silently takes the storekeepers verbal crap holding it all in, resisting the temptation to snap back or slap him--cheering at him scoring a point in the baseball game--wonderful pieces of acting. And that scene where she runs down the road at the end to her husband is absolutely gut wrenching.Also the cinematography has some very beautiful shots of Louisiana and the costumes and sets are as gritty and realistic as you can get.I recommend this film. Sure, it doesn't reach the level of Martin Ritt's Hud but it is still a good example of his craft and is well worth watching.

In our affluent society we don't see is that what we think we own, owns us. We are never free of our comforts. You have become entitled, and enslaved to a desire to be comfortable. We look for the best restaurants, the best hotels, the best cars, largest most comfortable home. free health care, and entertainment without restraint. We work until we drop just to pay for it. The poor(?) have the comfort which only the loving support of community, enjoyment of what's on our own table, make do, and pray for the rest. The poor rely on common sense, the ability to survive, and unquenchable faith. This film is'nt about the rigours of poverty, but shows the joys of family faithfulness and commitment. I have enjoyed the meal of a poor loving family, rather than the trappings and pride of the rich. There is no shame in the poor family.

A classic film. Paul Winfield and Cecily Tyson don't disappoint. Soft depiction of poverty and racism in the old South. And the dog is a great actor too ! Worth the watch.

I was a young girl when I saw this film living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a military base. The theater was packed. My parents brought me, my baby sister, and younger brother. Some people brought their pets. Many of the movie goers had to sit on the movie-house steps and floor. The audience was made up of adults and, children of , white, black, all races, and ages, and as I said earlier, a few pets.We were all very quiet during the film. And at the end, we clapped and cried awhile. You know Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, and a dog called Sounder starred in the film.

Family, Love and Perserverance.

A brilliant film that tentatively addresses the systemic racism so talked about today. My high school civics teacher assigned this film when it was just released and in the theatre, so a group of us went together to make it a mass date. First, we had to drive to “that” side of town because our neighborhood theatre wasn’t playing it, then the festive mood of the group activity subdued as we watched this powerful, beautifully written and acted film that opened all our eyes a little wider. This is not a club that strikes the viewer so much as a quiet hand that draws back the curtain to reveal a truth we should all see.

Had powerful messages of love

the good rating applies because the film is so strong it survives a really terrible quality picture, which looks as though it were taped from a tv showing illegally. the images are ghosted and floating at all times of movement. and faded also. the original vibrant beautiful photography is weak and faded. also, no widescreen, so you don't even see the whole image.in spite of this, the film's strength and beautiful performances are still there, in spite of the atrocious picture; and then there is the wonderful taj mahal music, which is very powerful for the film's effect and affect.

thanks for this great film and excellent service would recommend this to anyone I shall order more products again thanks again

An old, but good movie that was purchased for my mother-in-law who enjoys old movies with great stories to watch.

This was bought for someone else who is very happy with it. I don't know what it is about as I haven't watched it.