Matewan (1987): cast, story & where to watch
1987 · Film · ★ 7.2
Released in 1987, Matewan is a drama and history film directed by John Sayles, running about 132 minutes. “It takes more than guns to kill a man.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. Matewan stars Chris Cooper as Joe Kenehan, James Earl Jones as 'Few Clothes' Johnson, Mary McDonnell as Elma Radnor and Will Oldham as Danny Radnor, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.2/10, Matewan has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $1.7M at the box office.
Where to watch. In GB you can stream it on MGM Plus Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Matewan page.
If you liked it. Fans of Matewan tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Matewan (1987)?
- In GB, Matewan is available to stream on MGM Plus Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Matewan worth watching?
- Matewan holds an audience score of 7.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Matewan?
- Matewan stars Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham and David Strathairn.
- When was Matewan released?
- Matewan was released in 1987, with a runtime of about 132 minutes.