A group of elderly Black men on a Louisiana plantation gather to claim responsibility for the murder of a violent white farmer to protect the young Black man who actually killed him.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Louis Gossett Jr.Mathu | Mathu |
 Richard WidmarkSheriff Mapes | Sheriff Mapes |
 Holly HunterCandy Marshall | Candy Marshall |
 Will PattonLou Dimes | Lou Dimes |
 Joe SenecaClatoo | Clatoo |
 Woody StrodeYank | Yank |
 Tiger HaynesBooker | Booker |
| PPapa John CreachJacob | Jacob |
 Julius HarrisCoot | Coot |
| RRosanna CarterBeulah | Beulah |
| WWalter BreauxCharlie | Charlie |
| JJoe 'Flash' RileyJameson | Jameson |
| DDanny BarkerChimley | Chimley |
 Sandman SimsUncle Billy | Uncle Billy |
| PP. Jay SidneyGable | Gable |
| AArthur ShillingGriffin | Griffin |
 Lenore BanksMiss Merle | Miss Merle |
| AAl ShannonLuke Will | Luke Will |
 Stocker FontelieuFix | Fix |
| RRichard WhaleyBeau | Beau |
| LLucille McKayBea Marshall | Bea Marshall |
 Eliott KeenerHerman | Herman |
 Carol SuttonJaney | Janey |
| PPat PerkinsAunt Glo | Aunt Glo |
| JJerome ReddickSnookum | Snookum |
 Dave PetitjeanDeputy Russell | Deputy Russell |
| DDwayne JonesLeroy | Leroy |
| JJames Michael BaileyAlcee | Alcee |
 Adam StorkeGil | Gil |