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Matewan poster

Matewan

1987 • 2h12m Drama, History

Rating

7.4/10

Popularity

2

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.

Details

Director

John Sayles

Screenplay

John Sayles

Cast

Chris Cooper

James Earl Jones

Mary McDonnell

Release date

8/28/1987

Status

Released

Budget

$4,000,000

Revenue

$1,680,358

Origin country

US

Vote count

128