
Matewan
1987, History/Drama, 2h 12m
34 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsYou might also like

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Matewan Photos
Movie Info
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.
Cast & Crew
Chris Cooper
Joe Kenehan
Joe Kenehan
Will Oldham
Danny Radnor
Danny Radnor
James Earl Jones
'Few Clothes' Johnson
'Few Clothes' Johnson
Mary McDonnell
Elma Radnor
Elma Radnor
Bob Gunton
C.E. Lively
C.E. Lively
Kevin Tighe
Hickey
Hickey
Critic Reviews for Matewan
Audience Reviews for Matewan
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Feb 04, 2020Sayles strikes the right balance of realism and hope here. Per usual he assembles one hell of a cast.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Oct 25, 2009Caught this on late night cable. Fantastic film on all levels. It looks great and has some amazing performances. It is everything that I love about John Sayles. It seems like every movie he makes is a social studies project (not that it's always a good thing) and you always learn about something from his films. I didn't know anything about this event and it made it more riveting. Bob Gunton, Chris Cooper (in his film debut), and James Earl Jones are brilliant.Tim S Super Reviewer
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Feb 22, 2008Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones and Mary McDonnell each do a good job in this John Sayles piece on the growth of the labor union into the West Virginia coal mines of the 1920's. But, I may have set my expectations for the film a bit too high. Maybe it was meant as a warm-up for Sayles, David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe, Jace Alexander and Gordon Clapp prior to their collaboration of the following year...Eight Men Out.Moe E Super Reviewer
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Jun 29, 2007An amazingly authentic film with great performances, photography and production design. Sayles work here is stellar, can't wait to read the book.Ken S Super Reviewer
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