A regular day in a Louisiana sugarcane plantation changes course when a local white farmer is shot in self defense. A group of old, black men takes a courageous step by coming forward en masse to take responsibility for the killing of a white racist, whom one of their members has shot. As the sheriff confronts the suspects, the young plantation owner stands alone in her daring defense of this group of men, provoking racial tension that makes a compelling drama.
| Directing | Volker Schlöndorff | Director |
| Writing | Charles Fuller | Screenplay |
| Writing | Ernest J. Gaines | Novel |
| Camera | Edward Lachman | Director of Photography |
| Editing | Craig McKay | Editor |
| Production | Eberhard Junkersdorf | Co-Producer |
| Sound | Ron Carter | Music |
| Editing | Nancy Baker | Editor |
| Production | Gower Frost | Producer |
| Art | Thomas A. Walsh | Production Design |
| Production | Pat Golden | Casting |
| Costume & Make-Up | Susan Gammie | Costume Design |
| Production | James Bigwood | Associate Producer |
| Art | Jay Klein | Art Direction |
| Costume & Make-Up | Ted Long | Hairstylist |
| Costume & Make-Up | Gigi Coker | Makeup Supervisor |
| Art | Jan Pascale | Set Decoration |
| Production | Michael Deeley | Executive Producer |
