Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Louis Gossett Jr. | ... |
Walter Osgood
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Joseph Mazzello | ... |
Charlie
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James Greene | ... |
Sam - the banker
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Don Swayze | ... |
Reuben Cantwell
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David Hart | ... |
Woodrow
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William Lucking | ... |
Argus
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Jack Kehler |
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Mark Cabus |
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Patrick Labyorteaux | ... |
Postmaster
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William Fichtner | ... |
Sheriff
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Evan Rachel Wood | ... | ||
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John Bellucci | ... |
Brother Joe Fleetwood
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Courtenay McWhitney | ... |
Mrs. Watson
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Chuck Butto | ... |
Ranse Mooney
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Steve Whittaker | ... |
Farmer
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In a town ruled by racial prejudice, only a boy had the courage to take a stand. Oscar®-winner LOUIS GOSSETT, JR. (An Officer and a Gentleman) and JOSEPH MAZZELLO (Jurassic Park) head the cast of this compelling and intense drama. USA, the 1930s. Walter Osgood is the only black man left in the town of High Lonesome. He's lost almost everything dear to him, including his wife and son. But no one in High Lonesome will speak out to defend Walter's rights when the town unites to drive him away from the community. Except for one person - a young boy named Charlie. Not only does Walter's extraordinary friendship with Charlie teach the boy the true meaning of love and courage, but it is also a dramatic flashpoint which forces the townspeople to confront their own cruel prejudices.
I found this to be to my enthusiasm pretty gritty and disturbing from the first 20 minutes or so, with familiar racist slang, and the Ku Klux Klan beating the black man, Walter (Lou Gossit Jr.) who really shows no violence or racism, but faces it from the citizens of High Lonesome. Joseph Mazzello, as Charlie is a bold, Huck Finn-like lad, who needs to fend for himself and take care of his little sister, even when she's sick, and hunts with his rifle, and showing attitude firing it at Walter's farm. Patrick Swayze's brother (Don Swayze) plays Charlie's brutal drunk father bearing resemblance to Papa Finn. Mazzello's only role where his hair appears short. Joe just naturally exhibits, to this day, his supernatural emotions.