A Gathering of Old Men (film)

A Gathering of Old Men is a 1987 American television film based on Ernest J. Gaines' 1983 novel of the same name. The film stars Louis Gossett Jr., Richard Widmark, and Holly Hunter. It was directed by Volker Schlöndorff and adapted for television by Charles Fuller.

The film tells the story of a group of elderly black men on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation who band together to protect one of their own, Mathu (Louis Gossett Jr.), after he is falsely accused of murdering a Cajun farmer. As the tensions rise, Sheriff Mapes (Richard Widmark) arrives to investigate, struggling to maintain order and prevent further violence as the old men, who have spent their lives passively accepting oppression, begin to assert their dignity and stand up for themselves. The film explores themes of racial injustice, courage, and the transformation of men who have been marginalized and silenced for generations. Holly Hunter plays Candy Marshall, a white woman who owns the plantation and is deeply loyal to the black community. She plays a key role in organizing and supporting the men as they confront the prejudice and violence that surrounds them. The narrative unfolds as the truth behind the killing is slowly revealed, forcing the characters to confront their past and present realities.