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Matewan (1987) movie poster

Matewan (1987)

It takes more than guns to kill a man.

132 minDramaHistory
TMDb7.3/10136 votes

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.

Country: United States

Director: John Sayles

Cast

Chris Cooper as Joe Kenehan

Chris Cooper

Joe Kenehan

James Earl Jones as 'Few Clothes' Johnson

James Earl Jones

'Few Clothes' Johnson

Mary McDonnell as Elma Radnor

Mary McDonnell

Elma Radnor

Will Oldham as Danny Radnor

Will Oldham

Danny Radnor

David Strathairn as Police Chief Sid Hatfield

David Strathairn

Police Chief Sid Hatfield

Ken Jenkins as Sephus Purcell

Ken Jenkins

Sephus Purcell

Kevin Tighe as Bill Hickey

Kevin Tighe

Bill Hickey

Gordon Clapp as Tom Griggs

Gordon Clapp

Tom Griggs

Bob Gunton as C.E. Lively

Bob Gunton

C.E. Lively

Jace Alexander as Hilllard Elkins

Jace Alexander

Hilllard Elkins

Joe Grifasi as Fausto

Joe Grifasi

Fausto

Nancy Mette as Bridey Mae Tolliver

Nancy Mette

Bridey Mae Tolliver

🎭

Jo Henderson

Mrs. Elkins

Josh Mostel as Mayor Cabell Testerman

Josh Mostel

Mayor Cabell Testerman

Keywords

Plot:traitorbased on true storywest virginiagun battleracismpreacherdouble crosslabor organizerlabor unioncoal miningworkers unioncoal minerworker's rightsminers strikemining companyslit throatunion struggleauthoritarian companyitalian diasporagun deathhired goons
Time:1920s
Place:company town

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