It's the story of an African American family in rural Louisiana in 1933. Nathan Lee Morgan (Paul Winfield) and Rebecca Morgan (Cicely Tyson) are sharecroppers for Mr. Perkins (Ted Airhart). They have three children: David Lee (Kevin Hooks), about 13, his younger sister, Josie Mae (Yvonne Jarrell), and his younger brother, Earl (Eric Hooks). They raise and process sugar cane. David, who likes school, is the only family member who can read and write. The faithful family hound dog is called Sounder. A good family friend is Ike Phillips (Taj Mahal).
Nathan commits a minor crime and is sentenced to a year in a work camp. Sheriff Young (James Best) refuses to tell the family what work camp the state will send Nathan to. The movie follows the family's life as they try to maintain the farm in Nathan's absence. David tries to find his father and encounters an African American school run by a young progressive teacher, Miss Johnson (Janet MacLachlan).
Although "Sounder" shows the challenging reality of African American life in the South in the 1930s, it significantly sanitizes the violence, perhaps because of its perceived audience. Nonetheless, "Sounder" is emotionally gripping with a satisfying ending. Winfield, Tyson, MacLachlan, Kevin Hooks, and Sounder give excellent performances. Many of the secondary players are less powerful. The soundtrack created by Taj Mahal is effective. The editing felt a bit uneven.
Nathan commits a minor crime and is sentenced to a year in a work camp. Sheriff Young (James Best) refuses to tell the family what work camp the state will send Nathan to. The movie follows the family's life as they try to maintain the farm in Nathan's absence. David tries to find his father and encounters an African American school run by a young progressive teacher, Miss Johnson (Janet MacLachlan).
Although "Sounder" shows the challenging reality of African American life in the South in the 1930s, it significantly sanitizes the violence, perhaps because of its perceived audience. Nonetheless, "Sounder" is emotionally gripping with a satisfying ending. Winfield, Tyson, MacLachlan, Kevin Hooks, and Sounder give excellent performances. Many of the secondary players are less powerful. The soundtrack created by Taj Mahal is effective. The editing felt a bit uneven.