Sounder

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Sounder

G,

1972,

1h 45m,

Drama

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Watchlist

91%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

The Morgans, a family of poor black sharecroppers in the Depression-plagued South, struggle to find enough to eat despite the help their hunting dog, Sounder. When father Nathan (Paul Winfield) resorts to stealing food, he is captured by police and sent to prison, and his wife, Rebecca (Cicely Tyson), is left to care for their son, David (Kevin Hooks). Though Sounder has run away, David never gives up hope that his dog will return, just as he believes that he will see his father again someday.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 21, 2023

Ritt never pushes a moment too hard or too far -- the movie earns every emotion we feel. And I think it will move audiences -- move them truly, that is -- as few films ever have.

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Michael Booth

Denver Post

Apr 3, 2007

Director Martin Ritt soaks us in the heat, the beauty, the racism and the buzzing cicadas of Louisiana.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Ritt's film must respond to the needs of an entertainment industry, and in its desire to be uplifting, leaves its characters one-dimensional without ensuring that the one dimension is heroic.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

8/10

It may be a simple, unadorned premise, but the morals, the performances, and the striking portrayal of heartening humanity are undeniably winning.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

May 4, 2021

3/4

...depicts its central family's life as one of resilient beauty.

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

Feb 12, 2021

3/4

A great awakening and lesson for kids here...

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Poe S

Jan 17, 2018

An unpretentious and honest look at sharecropping and a black family in the South.

George S

Nov 17, 2017

a good movie about hard times

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Martin Ritt

Director

Cicely Tyson

Rebecca Morgan

Paul Winfield

Nathan Lee Morgan

Kevin Hooks

David Lee Morgan

Carmen Mathews

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Synopsis

The Morgans, a family of poor black sharecroppers in the Depression-plagued South, struggle to find enough to eat despite the help their hunting dog, Sounder. When father Nathan (Paul Winfield) resorts to stealing food, he is captured by police and sent to prison, and his wife, Rebecca (Cicely Tyson), is left to care for their son, David (Kevin Hooks). Though Sounder has run away, David never gives up hope that his dog will return, just as he believes that he will see his father again someday.

Director: Martin Ritt
Producer: Robert B. Radnitz
Screenwriter: Lonne Elder III
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Radnitz/Mattel Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 24, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 45m

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