
Ex-slave and former Union soldier Gideon Jackson represents other ex-slaves at the constitutional convention, and is soon elected to the U.S. Senate despite opposition from white landowners, law enforcement and the KKK. He unites with sharecropper Abner Lait, who helps Jackson unite ex-slaves and white tenant farmers.

Muhammad Ali
Gideon Jackson

Kris Kristofferson
Abner Lait

Ron O'Neal
Francis Cardoza

Edward Herrmann
Stephen Holmes

John McLiam
President Ulysses S. Grant

Ossie Davis
Narrator

Barbara O. Jones
Rachel Jackson (as Barbara-O Jones)
Sonny Jim Gaines
Brother Peter

Joel Fluellen
James Allenby
Jean Foster
Ellen Allenby

Grace Zabriskie
Ruth Lait
Bill Mackey
Trooper
Earl D.A. Smith
Hannibal

Alfre Woodard
Katie
Fred Covington
Sheriff Bentley