Pauline Kael, in her review of Sounder, wrote: "The director, Martin Ritt, working from a scrupulous, unsentimental script by Lonne Elder III, based on the William H. Armstrong novel, avoids charging up the scenes [...] the movie earns every emotion we feel. And I think it will move audiences – move them truly, that is – as few films ever have." The film garnered four nominations at the 45th Academy Awards including Best Adapted Screenplay.
Pauline Kael, in her review of Sounder, praised director Martin Ritt for his restrained approach to the film, which was based on a novel by William H. Armstrong and written by Lonne Elder III. She felt that the movie evoked genuine emotions and would likely resonate deeply with audiences. The film received four nominations at the 45th Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.