Matewan (1987)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles (writer)

Release Date:

28 August 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

It takes more than guns to kill a man

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Union | Miner | 1920s | Coal Miner | Labor Union

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Chris Cooper	...	Joe Kenehan
James Earl Jones	...	'Few Clothes' Johnson
Mary McDonnell	...	Elma Radnor
Will Oldham	...	Danny Radnor
David Strathairn	...	Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Ken Jenkins	...	Sephus Purcell
Gordon Clapp	...	Griggs
Kevin Tighe	...	Hickey
John Sayles	...	Hardshell Preacher
Bob Gunton	...	C.E. Lively
Josh Mostel	...	Mayor Cabell Testerman
Nancy Mette	...	Bridey Mae
Jace Alexander	...	Hillard Elkins
Joe Grifasi	...	Fausto
Gary McCleery	...	Ludie

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:14 (Ontario) | Australia:M | USA:PG-13 | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Cinecom Entertainment Group

Trivia:

Thurmond was the site of one of the five offices of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency. Two of the men killed in Matewan that day were the brothers of agency owner, Thomas Felts. In retaliation, Felts had the Matewan police chief, Sid Hatfield, killed when he was tried in Welch, WV. He walked up the steps to the courthouse and met five detectives waiting for him at the top. He was filled full of bullets and then detective Hugh Lucas turned and emptied a gun into the courthouse wall as though Hatfield had shot at them, then placed the gun in his hand after detective Charley Lively had shot him behind the ear to make sure he was dead.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The steam locomotive used in "Matewan" was ex-New York, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway ("Nickel Plate Road") #765. It was a modern steam locomotive built in the 1940's and thus would not have existed at the time of the events depicted in "Matewan."

Quotes:

[about the owner of the Baldwin-Felts agency:]
Sid Hatfield: I've met Mr. Felts. I wouldn't pee on him if his heart was on fire.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Game-On: (#3.2)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

GATHERING STORM

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.