Salt of the Earth (1954)

Based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to attain wage parity with Anglo ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert J. Biberman

Writer:

Michael Wilson (by)

Stars:

Will Geer, David Wolfe, Rosaura Revueltas

3 wins.

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)

Storyline

Based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to attain wage parity with Anglo workers in other mines and to be treated with dignity by the bosses. The film is an early treatment of feminism, because the wives of the miners play a pivotal role in the strike, against their husbands wishes. In the end, the greatest victory for the workers and their families is the realization that prejudice and poor treatment are conditions that are not always imposed by outside forces. This film was written, directed and produced by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds.

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Plot Keywords:

strike | zinc mine | mexican american | feminism | new mexico | 

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Taglines:

The Only Blacklisted American Film

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

14 March 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

La sal de la tierra

Filming Locations:

Bayard, New Mexico, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Production Company (IPC), Intl Union of Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rosaura Revueltas, who played Esperanza Quintero, was a noted screen actress in her native Mexico. After this film was distributed, she was accused of being a Communist and deported. While she continued to appear in Mexican cinema, she never made another film in the US.

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Goofs

When Ramon is in the bar, his hands change position several times between shots.

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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. The Anglos changed the name to Zinc Town. Zinc Town, New Mexico, U.S.A. Our roots go deep in this place, deeper than the pines, deeper than the mine shaft. In these arroyos my great grandfather raised cattle before the ...

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Connections

Referenced in A Crime to Fit the Punishment (1982)

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Soundtracks

"We Shall Not be Moved"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by the women on the picket line

User Reviews

Still relevant after 47 years!

Hey that alone says it all except for one thing. If there was anything as justice in this world, Rosaura Revueltas would get an Academy Award! Juan Chacon also was superb, and it surprised me that he was among the non-professional actors (all of whom were very good).