Act of Vengeance (TV 1986)

Fact-based story about the corruption that occurred during the United Mine Workers' 1969 presidential elections. Jock Yablonski was a loyal follower of then chief Tony Boyle. That all ... See full summary »

Director:

John Mackenzie

Writers:

Trevor Armbrister (book), Scott Spencer (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Ellen Burstyn, Wilford Brimley

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Joseph 'Jock' Yablonski
Ellen Burstyn	...	Margaret Yablonski
Wilford Brimley	...	Tony Boyle
Hoyt Axton	...	Silous Huddleston
Robert Schenkkan	...	Paul Gilly
Ellen Barkin	...	Annette Gilly
Maury Chaykin	...	Claude Vealey
Caroline Kava	...	Charlotte Yablonski
Peg Murray	...	Ellen Rogers
William Newman	...	Ezra Morgan
Alan North	...	Albert Pass
Raynor Scheine	...	Terrance Madden
Tom Harvey	...	Warren Alexander
Alf Humphreys	...	Ken Yablonski
Joseph Kell	...	Chip Yablonski

Storyline

Fact-based story about the corruption that occurred during the United Mine Workers' 1969 presidential elections. Jock Yablonski was a loyal follower of then chief Tony Boyle. That all changed after 80 men are killed in an unsafe West Virginia coal mine and Boyle defended the mine owners. At his wife's urging and in fear of his life, Yablonski launched his campaign. And in fact, he became the target of assassins.

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Plot Keywords:

coal mine | assassin | west virginia | election | campaign | 

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Taglines:

His was an act of defiance. Theirs was an act of vengeance.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

A hatalom megfizet

Filming Locations:

Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frank Konigsberg Productions, Lorimar Telepictures, HBO Premiere Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was made and released about eleven years after its source Trevor Armbrister novel ' Act of Vengeance' was first published in 1975.

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Quotes

Buddy Martin: When we get to Charleston they have this place where the girls let you... Well, did you ever put your hand... I mean, your whole Freaking hand inside a lady?
Claude Vealey: What? Put your hand inside a lady? Hell, I SHOT my old lady and she didn't even press charges.

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Connections

Features A Tale of Two Kitties (1942)

User Reviews

A lot of brilliant acting went into this film

In 1985, in the city of Toronto Canada, I was a movie extra in "Act of Vengeance". Although the weather was very hot,Charles Bronson and Wilfred Brimley did an outstanding acting job in this HBO film. I watched as both Wilfred and Charles concentrated on their lines while the director made ready the scenes they were to act in. There were very little retakes as the words flowed out of their mouths with no mistakes. Both were very professional actors. I was honoured, while on the set by Mr. Bronson for doing a good job as an extra. He picked up a poster used as a backdrop in one of the scenes and signed his name to it and handed it to me. It was a black and white picture of Charles with the words "For Democracy...Vote Yablonski". I still treasure it in my home. I viewed the film after it came out and found it sad that such an act could have been committed in the USA. The story told here happened in real life, so I was told while on the set of this film. I found that all who were in this film did an outstanding job making it come to life on the big screen, showing the evil lurking and hidden behind politics of those who hold high positions and just how hard the little man must fight for recognition and what he or she needs to be safe in the common work place. Since my first viewing I have watched it many times and will watch it many more. It's a superb film in my eyes, and yes, I have seen myself in the film and am proud to be part of it.

I might also add, that part of this film was also filmed in a small town called Waterdown Ontario, Located between Hamilton, and Toronto. It was while in Waterdown filming, that Charles signed my backdrop picture.