The Molly Maguires (1970)

Director:

Martin Ritt

Writers:

Walter Bernstein (writer)
Arthur H. Lewis (book)

Release Date:

21 August 1970 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

Life is rough in the coal mines of 1876 Pennsylvania. A secret group of Irish emigrant miners, known as the Molly Maguires...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Pennsylvania | Irish | Coal | Mining

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Sean Connery	...	Jack Kehoe
Richard Harris	...	Detective James McParlan
Samantha Eggar	...	Miss Mary Raines
Frank Finlay	...	Davies
Anthony Zerbe	...	Tom Dougherty
Bethel Leslie	...	Mrs. Kehoe
Art Lund	...	Frazier
Philip Bourneuf	...	Father O'Connor
Anthony Costello	...	Frank McAndrew
Brendan Dillon	...	Mr. Dan Raines
Frances Heflin	...	Mrs. Frazier
John Alderson	...	Jenkins
Malachy McCourt	...	Bartender
Susan Goodman	...	Mrs. McAndrew

MPAA:

Rated PG for violence, language and some thematic material. (2003 re-rating)

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:A (1970) | UK:PG (1988) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:M (original rating) | USA:PG (re-rating) (2003) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Eckley, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Most of this film was shot in Eckley, Pennsylvania. Paramount Pictures saved the town from being destroyed; Eckley was slated to be demolished for strip mining, but after the movie was filmed, the town's land was donated to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; the town is now a museum. Several structures built for the movie still survive in Eckley.

Quotes:

[Davies has given McParlan a beating, as part of his cover]
Davies: They'll respect you now. It's about the only thing they do respect round here, a blow and a hard head.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

Soundtrack:

Eileen Aroon

Strong performances carry historical drama

A must-see for any Irish-American. Harris is superb in his role as an undercover Pinkerton investigator. We see his character grow to admire the maguires even though he knows he will eventually betray them. Connery is also great as the attractive leader of the terrorist group. This movie touches on an area tha is often ignored, working conditions in 19th Century America. I especially like the American Football/Rugby hybrid they play against the Welsh town. A unique movie that let's us see both Harris and Connery shine. Good score, pacing, photography, and supporting characters as well. One of my favs!