Academy Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Picture | Robert B. Radnitz | Nominated |
| 1972 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Actor | Paul Winfield | Nominated |
| 1972 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Actress | Cicely Tyson | Nominated |
| 1972 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Adapted Screenplay | Lonne Elder III | Nominated |
Directors Guild of America
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Directors Guild of America | Best Director | Martin Ritt | Nominated |
Golden Globes
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Hollywood Foreign Press Association | Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama | Cicely Tyson | Nominated |
| 1972 | Hollywood Foreign Press Association | New Star of the Year - Male | Kevin Hooks | Nominated |
National Board of Review
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | National Board of Review | Best Picture | Nominated | |
| 1972 | National Board of Review | Best Supporting Actress | Cicely Tyson | Won |
National Society of Film Critics
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | National Society of Film Critics | Best Actress | Cicely Tyson | Won |
