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's review of Sounder emphasizes the director Martin Ritt's restrained approach in adapting the William H. Armstrong novel, which resulted in a film that evoked genuine emotions and resonated deeply with audiences. The film received four nominations at the 45th Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.