Matewan (1987)

A labor union organizer comes to an embattled mining community brutally and violently dominated and harassed by the mining company.

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles

Stars:

Chris Cooper, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Cooper	...	Joe Kenehan
Mary McDonnell	...	Elma Radnor
Will Oldham	...	Danny Radnor
David Strathairn	...	Sid Hatfield
Ken Jenkins	...	Sephus Purcell
Kevin Tighe	...	Hickey
Gordon Clapp	...	Griggs
Bob Gunton	...	C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander	...	Hillard Elkins
Joe Grifasi	...	Fausto
Nancy Mette	...	Bridey Mae
Jo Henderson	...	Mrs. Elkins
Josh Mostel	...	Cabell Testerman
Gary McCleery	...	Ludie
Maggie Renzi	...	Rosaria

Storyline

Mingo County, West Virginia, 1920. Coal miners, struggling to form a union, are up against company operators and the gun thugs of the notorious Baldwin-Felts detective agency. Black and Italian miners, brought in by the company to break the strike, are caught between the two forces. UMWA organizer and dual-card Wobbly Joe Kenehan determines to bring the local, Black, and Italian groups together. While Kenehan and his story are fictional, the setting and the dramatic climax are historical; Sid Hatfield, Cabell C. Testerman, C. E. Lively and the Felts brothers were real-life participants, and 'Few Clothes' is based on a character active several years previously.

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Plot Keywords:

union | miner | labor | coal miner | labor union | 

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Taglines:

At the coal company they use you until you wear out

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

30 June 1988 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Azok a véres napok

Filming Locations:

New River Gorge, New River Gorge National River, West Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,680,358 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinecom Entertainment Group, Film Gallery, Goldcrest Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe, Jace Alexander and John Sayles also appeared in Sayles' Eight Men Out about the 1919 Chicago "Black Sox" World Series scandal.

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Goofs

In the scene where the coal company executives are trying to bribe the Mayor and Sid Hatfield, the calendar behind the mayor reads September 1920. The historical shootout at the climax occurred in May of 1920, four months beforehand.

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Quotes

Mrs. Knightes: T'ain't no guns allowed at t'dinner table!

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Connections

Referenced in Game On: Episode #3.2 (1998)

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Soundtracks

Soundtrack was available on LP, Columbia, 37.089
Harmonica by John Hammond, Phil Wiggins
Fiddlee by Gerry Milnes, Stuart Schulman
Mandolin by John Curtis, Jim Costa
Guitar by John Curtis, Mason Daring
Dobro by Mason Daring

User Reviews

As important move about the American spirit as there is

This movie was obviously made as a labor of love, by someone whose ideals are deeply American. Director Sayles masterfully documents the nuances of the ageless conflict between those that would control others for profit and those that would not let themselves be controlled and thereby captures the essence of a battle that still rages between the American ideals of freedom and free enterprise.

Historically, the film documents a victory (some say massacre) by the miners over the power brokers and thugs of the early 20th century coal mining industry. Taken in the overall context of the history of Appalachian coal mining, however, what it truly documents is one battle in a war that was eventually lost when the government once again came down on the side of commerce as opposed to human dignity at the battle of Blair Mountain.

Fortunately for us, Mr. Sayles seems all too keenly aware of the tremendously important under-currents of this historical event. Rather than merely documenting the conflict and violence of this historic event, he artfully imbues the story with human elements of betrayal, regret, loss, resolve, and ultimately, sacrifice in the name of what is right and just. He reminds us that righteousness often comes with a price and that the real war is never won or lost but rages on forever, claiming the salvation and damnation of souls in it's wake.

This film is a masterpiece and deserves its due. It represents everything good about film-making and should hold a special place in the hearts of all free Americans aspiring to the ideals expressed in our constitution.