Film · TMDB
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, History
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
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Key dates
- Published
- 28 August 1987
via Wikidata · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- film
- Genre
- drama film
- Country of origin
- United States
- Original language
- English language
- Director
- John Sayles
- Screenwriter
- John Sayles
- Cast member
- Mason Daring
- Composer
- Mason Daring
- Cinematographer
- Haskell Wexler
- Narrative location
- Appalachian Mountains
Gallery (3)
Connections
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 Sayles