Matewan
1987, Film, 135 min, Drama, History, English, United States, MoviePedia score 73
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
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
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 Sid Hatfield
- Ken Jenkins as Sephus Purcell
- Kevin Tighe as Bill Hickey
- Gordon Clapp as Tom Griggs
- Bob Gunton as C.E. Lively
- Jace Alexander as Hillard Elkins
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