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Salt of the Earth (1954)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Michael Wilson (by)
Release Date:
14 March 1954 (USA)
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Tagline:
Banned! The film the US government didn't want you to see! more
Plot:
Based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers...
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Awards:
3 wins
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Reeves Joins $25-Million-A-Movie Club
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 19 May 2003)
Dga To Restore Membership Posthumously To Biberman
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 24 October 1997)
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 19 May 2003)
Dga To Restore Membership Posthumously To Biberman
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 24 October 1997)
User Comments:
Solidarity Forever!
more (28 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Will Geer | ... | Sheriff |
| David Wolfe | ... | Barton |
| Mervin Williams | ... | Hartwell |
| David Sarvis | ... | Alexander |
| Rosaura Revueltas | ... | Esperanza Quintero |
| E.A. Rockwell | ... | Vance |
| William Rockwell | ... | Kimbrough |
| Juan Chacón | ... | Ramon Quintero (as Juan Chacon) |
| Henrietta Williams | ... | Teresa Vidal |
| Ángela Sánchez | ... | Consuelo Ruiz (as Angela Sanchez) |
| Clorinda Alderette | ... | Luz Morales |
| Virginia Jencks | ... | Ruth Barnes |
| Clinton Jencks | ... | Frank Barnes |
| Joe T. Morales | ... | Sal Ruiz |
| Ernesto Velázquez | ... | Charley Vidal (as Ernest Velasquez) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min
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Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Because blacklisted people were among those who made the movie, the production was fraught with outside interference. The entire cast and crew were met by a citizens' committee in Central, New Mexico, where they had planned to film, and were ordered to leave town. The following day they moved the production to Silver City, NM, and were warned to "get out of town... or go out in black boxes."
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Quotes:
Esperanza Quintero:
[opening narration] How shall I begin my story that has no beginning? My name is Esperanza, Esperanza Quintero. I am a miner's wife. This is our home. The house is not ours. But the flowers... the flowers are ours. This is my village. When I was a child, it was called San Marcos...
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Crime to Fit the Punishment (1982)
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This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (28 total)
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"The only film in US history to be blacklisted."
That alone is praise!
SALT OF THE EARTH, a powerful film shot on a threadbare budget, mostly with local non-actors, was branded as "communist propaganda" during the infamous McCarthy "Red Scare" and was hardly shown in the USA when first released. However, the film was widely exhibited in Europe, where it was lauded with acclaim. It wasn't until the 1960's and 1970's that anyone in the USA had a decent chance to see this powerful work, and then only in film festivals, union meetings, or college campuses.
It is not propaganda. It is about the struggle for dignity and recognition. The making of this film it testament to that alone! For fear of destruction by "anti-communist" technicians, the film stock had to be smuggled into development labs and worked on in secret! Director Herbert J. Bieberman was arrested during filming, and had to give scene directions by letter and telephone while in prison.
The film the U.S. Government didn't want you see...now part of the National Film Registry. Consider watching this as driving a stake through Joe McCarthy's heart.