Native Son is a 1986 American drama film directed by Jerrold Freeman, and starring Carroll Baker, Victor Love, Matt Dillon and Oprah Winfrey.

Still frightened, Bigger disposes of the body in the furnace, possibly because he feels he would not get a fair trial for the accidental death of a white woman.

[2] According to Judith Michaelson of the Los Angeles Times, not only was the violence reduced, but the emphasis on Communism was also "muted" compared to the book.

"[2] Producer Diane Silver argued in favor of the change, stating "The angst that worked in the book was impossible to put on the screen.

"[2] American Playhouse producer Lindsay Law also supported the change arguing that an audience would disengage from the character if he kills Bessie and that "The book had more layers than you could explore in a two-hour film.

[9] Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that the character of Bigger was acted "in such a passive way that [he] never appears capable of taking charge of his own destiny, which is at the heart of Wright's terrifying fable.

[13][14] Julia Wright had a positive reception to the 1986 film, arguing there was "honesty and respect" for the book, and in particular praising Love's acting.