The Molly Maguires (1970)

In the Pennsylvanian coal mines of 1876, a group of Irish immigrant workers begin to retaliate against the cruelty of their work environment.

Director:

Martin Ritt

Writers:

Arthur H. Lewis (suggested by a book by), Walter Bernstein

Stars:

Sean Connery, Richard Harris, Samantha Eggar

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

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

Storyline

Life is rough in the coal mines of 1876 Pennsylvania. A secret group of Irish immigrant miners, known as the Molly Maguires, fights against the cruelty of the mining company with sabotage and murder. A detective, also an Irish emigrant, is hired to infiltrate the group and report on its members. But on which side do his sympathies lie?

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Plot Keywords:

pennsylvania | sabotage | repression | workers | 19th century | 

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Taglines:

The Molly Maguires were a hard, savage gang of rebels. And the informer had to be tougher than them all.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1970 (UK)

Also Known As:

Molly Maguires

Filming Locations:

Llewellyn, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tamm Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of two 1970 movies directed by Martin Ritt. The other picture was The Great White Hope (1970).

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Goofs

The steam locomotive has a steel riveted cab, clearly of 1890's or later vintage, rather than an 1870's design.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Detective James McParlan: Lager

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Connections

Featured in Golden Rule: The Investment Theory of Politics (2009)

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Soundtracks

Garryowen
Traditional Irish Song

User Reviews

Vivid, gritty drama from Martin Ritt

Adaptation of Arthur H. Lewis' book, which was based on actual accounts, about a Pennsylvania coal-mining town in 1876 and the secret group of rebels who are sabotaging the mines. Stranger-in-town Richard Harris is actually a detective sent there to ferret out the culprits. Downbeat story might have stood some tightening (and possibly a little mood-lightening levity), but is otherwise quite good. Director Martin Ritt works exceptionally well with his cast, getting a terrific, surprisingly low-keyed performance out of Harris in particular; scaling back his high voltage nature, Harris is even approachable enough to make the romance sub-plot between he and Samantha Eggar rather sweet. Sean Connery is sturdy as always, and the colorful supporting cast includes Frank Finlay and Anthony Zerbe, an intriguing character actor who pops up in a myriad of '70's films. **1/2 from ****