A housepainter and poet played by James Earl Jones awaits his son´s return from the jungles of Viet Nam. On his arrival back to the USA, the son soon realizes that once you´ve left, you can never really return, especially after seeing the horrors of combat. His old street gang that he left behind for the military, now want him to re-up and join the revolution! The River Niger was a Tony Award winning play and translates well to the silver screen with its in depth look at the soul of the black experience. Lou Gossett Jr. and Cicely Tyson give great support to James Earl Jones´ raw and powerful performance.