Matewan (1987)
08/28/1987 (US) • 2h 12m
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
Overview
Filmed 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.
Top Billed Cast
Joe Kenehan
'Few Clothes' Johnson
Elma Radnor
Danny Radnor
Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Sephus Purcell
Bill Hickey
Tom Griggs
C.E. Lively
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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$4,000,000.00
Revenue
$1,680,358.00
Keywords
traitor
based on true story
west virginia
gun battle
racism
preacher
double cross
labor organizer
labor union
coal mining
workers union
1920s
coal miner
worker's rights
miners strike
mining company
slit throat
union struggle
company town
authoritarian company
italian diaspora
gun death
hired goons
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