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7.4Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan, a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson and a sympathetic mayor and police chief heroically fight the power represented by a coal company and Matewan's vested interests so that justice and workers' rights need not take a back seat to squalid working conditions, exploitation and the bottom line.
Released: 1987-08-28132 minDir: John SaylesDrama, HistoryBudget: $4.0MBox office: $1.7M
▶ Watch trailerStream on: MGM Plus Amazon Channel
Cast
- Chris Cooper as Joe Kenehan
- James Earl Jones as 'Few Clothes' Johnson
- Mary McDonnell as Elma Radnor
- Will Oldham as Danny Radnor
- David Strathairn as Police Chief Sid Hatfield
- Ken Jenkins as Sephus Purcell
Themes
- traitor
- based on true story
- west virginia
- gun battle
- racism
- preacher
- double cross
- labor organizer
- labor union
- coal mining
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Wikidata facts
- Duration
- 132
- FilmAffinity ID
- 646512
Show 4 more facts
- publication date
- 1987-08-28
- title
- Matewan
- review score
- 8.2/10
- capital cost
- 4000000
Sources (12)
via Wikidata · CC0
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Connections
YouTube
Concept
West Virginia
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International Standard Book Number
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IMDb
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The New York Times
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Harrison Ford
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Charleston
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Cambridge
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Library of Congress
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Appalachian Mountains
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The Washington Post
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Cornell University
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Joseph
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pacifism
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strike
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Baptists
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Ithaca
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Rotten Tomatoes
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a cappella
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drama film
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Categories
1987 American films1987 drama films1987 English-language films1987 films1987 independent filmsAmerican political drama filmsCoal mining in AppalachiaCoal WarsDrama films based on actual eventsEnglish-language independent filmsFilms about miningFilms about the labor movementFilms directed by John SaylesFilms scored by Mason DaringFilms set in 1920Films set in AppalachiaFilms set in mining communitiesFilms set in West VirginiaFilms shot in West VirginiaFilms with screenplays by John SaylesGoldcrest Films filmsHistory of labor relations in the United StatesIndustrial Workers of the World in fictionLabor disputes in West Virginia