Overview
Ex-slave and former Union soldier Gideon Jackson represents other ex-slaves at the constitutional convention, and is soon elected to the U.S. Senate despite opposition from white landowners, law enforcement and the KKK. He unites with sharecropper Abner Lait, who helps Jackson unite ex-slaves and white tenant farmers.
Fun facts
- Source for Based on, opens in a new tab
Based on
Based on Freedom Road
Details
- Director
- Writers
- Howard FastNovel
- David Zelag GoodmanWriter
- Status
- Released
- Release date
- October 29, 1979
- Original language
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Streaming on
In the United States
Availability data byJustWatch, opens in a new tab
All options, opens in a new tabProduction
Cast
Muhammad AliGideon Jackson
Kris KristoffersonAbner Lait
Ron O'NealFrancis Cardoza
Edward HerrmannStephen Holmes
John McLiamPresident Ulysses S. Grant
Ossie DavisNarrator
Barbara O. JonesRachel Jackson (as Barbara-O Jones)- Sonny Jim GainesBrother Peter
Joel FluellenJames Allenby- Jean FosterEllen Allenby
Grace ZabriskieRuth Lait- Bill MackeyTrooper
- Earl D.A. SmithHannibal
Alfre WoodardKatie- Fred CovingtonSheriff Bentley
Sonny ShroyerJason Hugar- Ernest DixonMarion Jefferson
- Sylvia Kuumba WilliamsLouise Jefferson
- Tom DelaneyWill Boone
- Ron GuralFrank Carlson
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