Sounder is a 1972 DeLuxe Color drama film in Panavision directed by Martin Ritt and starring Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, and Kevin Hooks. The film was adapted by Lonne Elder III from the 1970 Newbery Medalwinning novel Sounder by William H. Armstrong.
While the book centers on the familys concern for the dog, screenwriter Lonne Elder III stated that he preferred to focus on the familys daily survival. He noted that he at first refused the assignment, but producer Robert B. Radnitz and director Martin Ritt convinced him to work with them, saying I wanted to keep Sounder accurate in its historical context, and not go off on any presentday fantasies.A notable aspect of casting in the film is that the Minister is played by an actual minister and the Judge is played by an actual judge. ........
Source: Wikipedia