The Water Is Wide

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.

• Jonathan EstrinScreenplay
• John Kent HarrisonDirector

• Robert ClotworthyNarrator (voice)
• Jeff HephnerPat Conroy
• Frank LangellaSuperintendent
• Alfre WoodardMrs. Brown
• Julianne NicholsonBarbara
• LaTanya Richardson JacksonEdna
• James MurtaughEzra Bennington
• Stephen WareChairman
• Don A. KingCountry Club Golfer
• Michael HardingTed Stone