The River Niger

The story

An intimate look at life in the ghetto: Johnny Williams is a house painter who moonlights as a poet, struggling to financially and emotionally support his cancer-ridden wife Mattie. But times are tough and the poverty-troubled streets are even tougher, and it takes every ounce of Johnny's love and courage for the couple to make it through their strife, finding redemption in the River Niger.

Cast & crew

James Earl JonesJohnny Williams

Cicely TysonMattie Williams

Louis Gossett Jr.Dr. Dudley Stanton

Glynn TurmanJeff Williams

Jonelle Allen

Jonelle AllenAnn Vanderguild

Roger E. MosleyBig Moe Hayes

Ralph WilcoxAl

Teddy WilsonChips

Charles WeldonSkeeter

Shirley Jo FinneyGail

Hilda Haynes

Hilda HaynesWilhelmina Geneva Brow

Ed CrickWhite Police Lieutenant