The River Niger (1976): cast, story & where to watch
1976 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1976, The River Niger is a drama film directed by Krishna Shah, running about 105 minutes. “Some rivers can't be dammed...some people won't be broken.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. An intimate look at life in the ghetto: Johnny Williams is a house painter who moonlights as a poet, struggling to financially and emotionally support his cancer-ridden wife Mattie. But times are tough and the poverty-troubled streets are even tougher, and it takes every ounce of Johnny's love and courage for the couple to make it through their strife, finding redemption in the River Niger.
Who’s in it. The River Niger stars James Earl Jones as Johnny Williams, Cicely Tyson as Mattie Williams, Louis Gossett Jr. as Dr. Dudley Stanton and Glynn Turman as Jeff Williams, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, The River Niger has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The River Niger page.
If you liked it. Fans of The River Niger tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The River Niger (1976)?
- In US, The River Niger is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The River Niger worth watching?
- The River Niger holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The River Niger?
- The River Niger stars James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett Jr., Glynn Turman and Jonelle Allen.
- When was The River Niger released?
- The River Niger was released in 1976, with a runtime of about 105 minutes.