The Southerner (1945)

In the heart of the monumental cotton farming industry, Sam Tucker, a humble but determined farm hand, finds himself yearning for a life beyond his laborious role. Driven by the dream of tilling his own land, he takes a leap of faith, renting a riverside property that has lain fallow for years. With no financial cushion but armed with an indomitable spirit, Sam uproots his family - his devoted wife Nona, their two young children Jot and Daisy, and his cantankerous Granny - to this new home. Unfazed by the daunting task of cultivating a cotton crop without modern farming equipment, Sam is, however, confronted with a dilapidated house in dire need of repair and a parched well. Despite these hurdles, Nona shares Sam's dream, and together, they choose to remain, inviting Sam's mother to join them come spring. Life on the farm tests the Tuckers' resilience as they grapple with relentless hardships. From battling disease and a devastating flood to dealing with a resentful neighbor, Devers, their determination is tested at every turn. Their survival becomes dependent not just on their own grit and tenacity, but also on the benevolence of others, including the local physician Dr. White and Harmie, the village shopkeeper. In this untamed landscape, the Tuckers learn the harsh lessons of life on the land, recognizing that they must accept both the bounty and the brutality of nature. As each challenge unfolds, Sam finds himself questioning whether his friend Tim's stable factory job might have offered a better life for his family. The Southerner paints a vivid tableau of a family's struggle against the odds as they seek to shape their own destiny in the harsh yet hopeful world of farming.

The Southerner is a drama movie featuring Zachary Scott.

The Southerner is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on DistroTV, Freevee, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Popflick, Public Domain Movies and The Roku Channel and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, FilmBox+, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy The Southerner on Amazon Video, Kino Now and Vudu or rent it on Pantaflix.