Pat Conroy, an ambitious, slightly rebellious, idealistic teacher, accepts Beaumont County South Carolina's school board superintendent's offer to teach the all-black kids of the pauper fishery community on Yamacraw Island. Staffless 'head' mistress Brown incarnates stupidity and blind rule obedience, her didactic skills consisting in scolding and spanking her students. Pat moves heaven and earth to motivate and educate, but after finally getting through to pupils and parents, is refused contract renewal by the arch-conservative authorities.
Directed By
John Kent HarrisonWritten By
Pat Conroy, Jonathan EstrinStudio
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, McGee Street ProductionsCast of The Water Is Wide
Robert ClotworthyNarrator (voice)
Jeff HephnerPat Conroy
Frank LangellaSuperintendent
Alfre WoodardMrs. Brown
Julianne NicholsonBarbara
James MurtaughEzra Bennington
Stephen WareChairman
Don A. KingCountry Club Golfer
Michael HardingTed Stone