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Matewan

Matewan

It takes more than guns to kill a man.

19877.42h 12m

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.

Directed by John Sayles
Written by John Sayles
Produced by Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi
Box OfficeBudget: $4.0MRevenue: $1.7M

Top Cast

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

Joe Kenehan

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

'Few Clothes' Johnson

Mary McDonnell

Mary McDonnell

Elma Radnor

Will Oldham

Will Oldham

Danny Radnor

David Strathairn

David Strathairn

Police Chief Sid Hatfield

Ken Jenkins

Ken Jenkins

Sephus Purcell

Kevin Tighe

Kevin Tighe

Bill Hickey

Gordon Clapp

Gordon Clapp

Tom Griggs

Bob Gunton

Bob Gunton

C.E. Lively

Jace Alexander

Jace Alexander

Hilllard Elkins

Themes & Keywords

traitorbased on true storywest virginiagun battleracismpreacherdouble crosslabor organizerlabor unioncoal miningworkers union1920scoal minerworker's rightsminers strikemining companyslit throatunion strugglecompany townauthoritarian companyitalian diasporagun deathhired goons

About Matewan

Matewan is a drama, history film released in 1987 exploring themes of traitor, based on true story, west virginia, gun battle, racism, preacher. Directed by John Sayles, it stars Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell. 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.

Movies Similar to Matewan

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We found 15 movies similar to Matewan

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