Native Son (1951): cast, story & where to watch
1951 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 1951, Native Son is a drama film directed by Pierre Chenal, running about 104 minutes. “I didn't mean to KILL her!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Author Richard Wright portrays his novel's Bigger Thomas, a young chauffeur trapped in an accidental murder.
Who’s in it. Native Son stars Richard Wright as Bigger Thomas, Gloria Madison as Bessie Mears, Willa Pearl Curtis as Mrs. Hannah Thomas and Nicholas Joy as Henry Dalton, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Native Son has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Native Son page.
If you liked it. Fans of Native Son tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Native Son (1951)?
- In US, Native Son is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Native Son worth watching?
- Native Son holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Native Son?
- Native Son stars Richard Wright, Gloria Madison, Willa Pearl Curtis, Nicholas Joy and Ruth Robert.
- When was Native Son released?
- Native Son was released in 1951, with a runtime of about 104 minutes.