Watch NowMatewan (1987)
28/08/1987
Drama, History
2h 12m
- 74% (118 votes)
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It takes more than guns to kill a man.
Overview
Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan, a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson and a sympathetic mayor and police chief heroically fight the power represented by a coal company and Matewan's vested interests so that justice and workers' rights need not take a back seat to squalid working conditions, exploitation and the bottom line.
- John SaylesDirector, Writer
Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$4,000,000
Revenue
$1,680,358
Keywords
- traitor
- based on true story
- west virginia
- gun battle
- racism
- preacher
- double cross
- labor organizer
- labor union
- coal mining
- workers union
- 1920s
- coal miner
- worker's rights
- miners strike
- mining company
- slit throat
- union struggle
- company town
- authoritarian company
- italian diaspora
- gun death
- hired goons
Top Billed Cast
Chris Cooper
Joe Kenehan
James Earl Jones
'Few Clothes' Johnson
Mary McDonnell
Elma Radnor
Will Oldham
Danny Radnor
David Strathairn
Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Ken Jenkins
Sephus Purcell
Kevin Tighe
Bill Hickey
Gordon Clapp
Tom Griggs
Bob Gunton
C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander
Hilllard Elkins
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