A Gathering of Old Men is a 1987 American-German television drama film directed by Volker Schlöndorff and based on the novel of the same name. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. The film was released as television film in the US. For his performance actor Louis Gossett Jr. was nominated at the Emmy Awards for "Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or a special".
Plot
A bigoted white farmer is shot in self-defense on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation. A group of old black men come forward en masse to take responsibility for the killing. As the sheriff confronts the suspects, the young plantation owner stands firm in her defense of the old men.
Cast
Louis Gossett Jr. as Mathu
Richard Widmark as Sheriff Mapes
Holly Hunter as Candy Marshall
Joe Seneca as Clatoo
Will Patton as Lou Dimes
Woody Strode as Yank
Tiger Haynes as Booker
Papa John Creach as Jacob
Julius Harris as Coot
Rosanna Carter as Beulah
Walter Breaux as Charlie
Joe 'Flash' Riley as Jameson (as Jay 'Flash' Riley) Danny Barker as Chimley Howard 'Sandman' Sims as Uncle Billy Michael Audley ss Uncle Jack Marshall P. Jay Sidney as Gable Rod Masterson as Couch
Accolades
1987 Cannes Film Festival - Un Certain Regard
Emmy Awards - Nominated - Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or a special - Louis Gossett Jr.