In a poor African-American neighborhood in Los Angeles, once-aspiring poet Johnny Williams (James Earl Jones) takes a low-paying job as a house painter in order to support his family. Already struggling to make ends meet, Williams -- who rests his hopes on his son Jeff (Glynn Turman), an Air Force lieutenant -- grows more despondent when he learns his wife, Mattie (Cicely Tyson), has terminal cancer. Now, Williams must summon the depths of his spirit to overcome his family's plight.

The River Niger is a 1976 film adaptation of the 1972 Joseph A. Walker play of the same title. The film was directed by Krishna Shah and starred James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, and Louis Gossett, Jr. The film had a limited commercial release in 1976 and has rarely been seen in later years. The soundtrack is by War, including the theme song "River Niger".

Film: The River Niger (1976)
Produced by: Sidney Beckerman
Director: Krishna Shah
Writer: Joseph A. Walker (play, screenplay)
Cast: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett, Jr.

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Licensed from: Canamedia