Pat Conroy, an ambitious, slightly rebellious idealistic teacher accepts Bennington county, SC'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 trough to pupils and parents is refused contract renewal by the arch-conservative authorities.

Cast

Robert Clotworthy

Narrator (voice)

Jeff Hephner

Pat Conroy

Frank Langella

Superintendent

Alfre Woodard

Mrs. Brown

Julianne Nicholson

Barbara

LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Edna

James Murtaugh

Ezra Bennington

Stephen Ware

Chairman

Don A. King

Country Club Golfer

Michael Harding

Ted Stone