Four-Star Films : ‘Sounder’

This 1972 drama about black sharecroppers in the 1930s is one of the most beautiful and moving American films ever made. On the surface, it’s a simple story of a family’s struggles and the growing up of a young boy. But there is so much going on in this film, and the performances by Paul Winfield, Yvonne Jarrell, Eric Hooks, Cicely Tyson and Kevin Hooks (from left) are so rich. Even the score, by Taj Mahal (who also has a role, far right), is remarkable. No one who has seen the sequence where Winfield returns home, and Tyson races out to embrace him, or the scene where Winfield tells Hooks how much he loves him, will ever forget “Sounder.” It’ an American classic (Disney Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Wednesday at 4:05 a.m.).

Other four-star films airing this week:

Hail the Conquering Hero Disney Tuesday at 1 a.m.

Dumbo / Disney Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Lavender Hill Mob / Bravo Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Anastasia / AMC Saturday at 10:30 p.m.

Paths of Glory / TMC Wednesday at 11:20 a.m.

The Killing Fields / A&E; Saturday at 9 p.m.