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Matewan (1987)

PG_13 135 min  -  Drama | History  -   30 June 1988 (Australia)
7.8
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Ratings: 7.8/10 from 4,349 users  
Reviews: 49 user | 19 critic

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
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Cooper ...
Mary McDonnell ...
Elma Radnor
Will Oldham ...
Danny Radnor
David Strathairn ...
Ken Jenkins ...
Sephus Purcell
Kevin Tighe Kevin Tighe ...
Hickey
Gordon Clapp ...
Griggs
Bob Gunton ...
C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander ...
Hillard Elkins
Joe Grifasi ...
Fausto
Nancy Mette Nancy Mette ...
Bridey Mae
Jo Henderson Jo Henderson ...
Mrs. Elkins
Josh Mostel Josh Mostel ...
Cabell Testerman
Gary McCleery Gary McCleery ...
Ludie
Maggie Renzi Maggie Renzi ...
Rosaria
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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. Written by Susan C. Mitchell <susanm@indirect.com>, expanded by Silverwhistle  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Union | Miner | Labor | Labor Union | West Virginia  | See more »

Taglines:

At the coal company they use you until you wear out See more »

Genres:

Drama | History

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Release Date:

(Australia) See more »

Also Known As:

Azok a véres napok See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,680,358 (USA)
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Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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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. See more »

Goofs

Factual errors: 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. See more »

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) See more »

Soundtracks

"HILLS OF GALILEE"
Sung by Hazel Dickens See more »