I think this movie is fabulous with incredible performances by everyone, including Sounder. But why is it titled "Sounder?" He really doesn't play a huge role or do anything that significant, like "Old Yeller" did. Does anybody out there know the reasoning behind it? It seems pretty strange to me.
shareI think Sounder is more of a key figure in the book on which the movie is based.
I never read the book, but I saw the movie in the theatre as a child, and I know that going in thinking the movie was about the dog made it easier to take-on the more serious storyline of the people.
Because the book was called SOUNDER!
shareSounder embodied the heart and soul of the family. His will to survive his gunshot wound mirrored the family's will to survive their trials and struggles. You'll never find a more loyal, noble dog than Sounder.
shareI too often wondered why the movie/book was called Sounder. "Skyrissian" I think you got it exactly. Excellent answer and makes perfect sense.
shareSounder embodied the heart and soul of the family.
The ending, in which Nathan chases David Lee out to the creek, mirrors the earlier scene in which David Lee chases Sounder after he gets shot and runs off into the woods. I think Sounder kind of embodies the natural will to run away from one's troubles. By the end of the movie, when Nathan gives his speech to David Lee, I think he's encouraging him to not be like the family dog, and to start facing his fears.
I will say this: I wish Martin Ritt had included Sounder along with Nathan and David Lee in the film's final shot. That felt like a missed opportunity.
"What I don't understand is how we're going to stay alive this winter."
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I have not seen this movie but I did read the book in high school. Sounder is the name of the dog and in the book, he is the only character who has a name. The other characters, including the boy, aren't named and even where the family lives isn't specified either.
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