Matewan

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Matewan

PG-13,

1987,

2h 12m,

History/

Drama

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94%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper), a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson (James Earl Jones) 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.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Mar 22, 2013

In the rich umbers of Haskell Wexler's cinematography, Matewan does look great.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Mar 22, 2013

If Sayles's bite were as lethal as his bark, he might have given this a harder edge and a stronger conclusion. But the performances are uniformly fine.

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Mar 22, 2013

In its grave clarity, it's as pure and plaintive as a mountain ballad.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Feb 17, 2022

4/4

A film that cannot help but spark comparisons between the 1920s coal wars and the decline of the unions over the last century.

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Piers Marchant

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Nov 20, 2020

Continuing in his fabulous run in the '80s, Sayles was at the very top of his powers, shooting on location in West Virginia and populating his screen with a blend of gifted character actors.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Jul 28, 2020

Matewan remains relevant as corporations and captains of industry continue to exploit workers and drum up fear about unions.

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John Sayles

Director

Chris Cooper

Joe Kenehan

Will Oldham

Danny Radnor

James Earl Jones

'Few Clothes' Johnson

Mary McDonnell

Elma Radnor

Bob Gunton

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Synopsis

Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper), a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson (James Earl Jones) 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.

Director: John Sayles
Producer: Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi
Screenwriter: John Sayles
Production Co: Cinecom Entertainment Group, Film Gallery, Goldcrest Films, Ltd., Red Dog Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 1987, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2002
Release Date (DVD): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.9K
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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