[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsPride MonthAmerican Black Film FestivalSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Riverbend

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
154
YOUR RATING
Margaret Avery and Steve James in Riverbend (1989)
ActionDrama

A black major (Steve James) and his men are on the run from a rigged court martial and hide out in a small Georgia town where a cruel white sheriff is terrorizing the black population. Toget... Read allA black major (Steve James) and his men are on the run from a rigged court martial and hide out in a small Georgia town where a cruel white sheriff is terrorizing the black population. Together with one strong-willed woman they formulate a bold plan to fight for freedom and human... Read allA black major (Steve James) and his men are on the run from a rigged court martial and hide out in a small Georgia town where a cruel white sheriff is terrorizing the black population. Together with one strong-willed woman they formulate a bold plan to fight for freedom and human rights...

  • Director
    • Sam Firstenberg
  • Writer
    • Samuel Vance
  • Stars
    • Steve James
    • Margaret Avery
    • Tony Frank
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    154
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Writer
      • Samuel Vance
    • Stars
      • Steve James
      • Margaret Avery
      • Tony Frank
    • 4User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast38

    Edit
    Steve James
    Steve James
    • Maj. Samuel Quentin
    Margaret Avery
    Margaret Avery
    • Bell Coleman
    Tony Frank
    Tony Frank
    • Sheriff Jake
    Julius Tennon
    Julius Tennon
    • Sgt. Tony Marx
    Alex Morris
    Alex Morris
    • Lt. Butch Turner
    Vennessa Tate
    • Pauline
    T.J. Kennedy
    • Monroe
    Linwood Walker
    • Fatman
    Norman Colvin
    • Hugo
    Keith Kirk
    • Mike
    John Norman
    • Marcus Coleman
    Jim Ponds
    • Jackson
    Doug Sivad
    • Hammon
    Tyrees Allen
    Tyrees Allen
    • Gus
    Derrell Craddock
    • Jones
    Patrick Floch
    • Nelson
    John Evans
    • Parker
    Robert Knott
    Robert Knott
    • Baxton
    • Director
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Writer
      • Samuel Vance
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    5.9154
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    lor_

    Terrific race relations fantasy

    My review was written in May 1989 after a Cannes Film Festival Market screening.

    On the heels of "Mississippi Burning" comes "Riverbend", an entertaining though outlandish fantasy about race relations set in Georgia in 1966. Pic has a chance of breaking through from its target black audience to wider acceptance.

    Producer Sam Vance's quirky screenplay relies on a deus ex machina that is akin to time travel, Into the sleepy town of Riverbend, Georgia, is injected a set of three black soldiers, headed by Steve James, who have escaped from military police while headed towards a court martial for failing to follow orders in Vietnam.

    The black townsfolk are being persecuted (and murdered at will) by the evil white sheriff (Tony Frank). James hits upon the scheme of using his military expertise to train the locals ("Magnificent Seven" style) to take over the town, imprison the white folks and thereby focus statewide media attention on the hotspot in order to air his beef with the army.

    Almost overwhelmed by too many twists and climaxes in the later reels, "Riverbend" works due to the inherently interesting switcheroo of its wish-fulfillment premise and James' solid central performance. Muscular thesp has apperare as sidekick in several Cannon features made by helmer Sam Firstenberg, but gets the opportunity here to dominate the proceedings. His low-key, authoritative delivery, very modern styling and martial arts abilities give the 1966 tale a 1989 perspective.

    Almost stealing the show is arch-villain Tony Frank, whose rubbery face and ample girth launch a definitive portrayal of the hissable Southern sheriff.

    Margaret Avery provides the film's emotional center as a widow who befriends James. Julius Tennon scores as James' mutinous aide who almost diverts the good guys into an understandable revenge mode.

    Texas-lensed production is modestly mounted but includes some effective imagery, notably the final confrontation when black and white throngs stream into the town square, separated at first by an invisible (but palpable) barrier before becoming reconciled.

    More like this

    Breakin' 2
    5.2
    Breakin' 2
    Le ninja blanc
    5.0
    Le ninja blanc
    Héros
    5.2
    Héros
    American Warrior II: Le Chasseur
    5.8
    American Warrior II: Le Chasseur
    M.A.N.T.I.S.
    5.7
    M.A.N.T.I.S.
    Dans les bras de l'enfer
    4.9
    Dans les bras de l'enfer
    Blood Warriors
    4.2
    Blood Warriors
    American Warrior 3
    3.7
    American Warrior 3
    Street Hunter
    5.0
    Street Hunter
    Quicksand
    4.4
    Quicksand
    La loi du samouraï
    4.9
    La loi du samouraï
    American Warrior
    5.5
    American Warrior

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Maj. Samuel Quentin: But this is 1966, not 1866!

      Bell Coleman: For you it may be 1966. But here, in the south, people take care that nothing changes.

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ14

    • How long is Riverbend?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Night of the Eagles
    • Filming locations
      • Maypearl, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Intercontinental
      • Vandale
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Margaret Avery and Steve James in Riverbend (1989)
    Top Gap
    What is the English language plot outline for Riverbend (1989)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.