Sounder ***** (1972, Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks) – Classic Movie Review 10,854

Director Martin Ritt’s 1972 drama Sounder is the warmhearted, moving, beautiful tale of African-American sharecroppers during the Depression in Louisiana in 1933, with impeccable liberal sentiments and outstanding acting from trailblazing African-American actors.

It was nominated for four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Cicely Tyson was a Golden Globe nominee as Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and Kevin Hooks was a Golden Globe nominee as Most Promising Newcomer – Male. Taj Mahal was the film’s sole nominee at the BAFTA Awards in 1974 (Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music).

When the father, Nathan Lee Morgan, (Paul Winfield) steals food and is convicted and sent to a prison camp, the mother, Rebecca Morgan, (Cicely Tyson) struggles to maintain the family. The 11 years old son (Kevin Hooks) sets off to visit his father at the camp with dog Sounder and during the journey has a coming-of-age odyssey, staying with a dedicated African-American schoolteacher and learning about the plight of African-American people.

Sounder is most handsomely made by producer Robert B Radnitz, beautifully directed by Ritt, splendidly photographed by John Alonzo, with added atmosphere from the location filming, and with notable film music from Taj Mahal. But, above all, perhaps, it is exquisitely acted. Winfield, Tyson and Hooks are all superb in this rousing, encouraging movie, with a screenplay by Lonnie Elder III taken from William H Armstrong’s novel.

Sounder, Part 2 followed in 1976.

Paul Winfield also stars in Martin Ritt’s Conrack (1974).

RIP Cicely Tyson, Hollywood trailblazer in TV and film, who died at 96 on 28 January 2021. She was given an Honorary Award at the 2019 Academy Awards. She won two Primetime Emmys for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,854

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