In a sweeping tale of the largest river system in the United States and the spectacular landscapes, diverse cultural heritage, and industrial triumph nurtured on its banks. British news anchorman Sir Trevor McDonald undertakes an epic journey from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mississippi's source near Canada. Fascinating characters like Hollywood A-lister Morgan Freeman, and Elvis Presley's former girlfriend Barbara Hearn, testify to the unique atmosphere the Mississippi has created. The trip reveals how the mighty river has influenced American culture and politics, from the birth of the nation to today. From a colorful New Orleans jazz funeral to a moving eyewitness account of Martin Luther King's assassination, the journey along Ol' Man River results in a vivid portrait of centuries of American culture.