Harlan County U.S.A. poster
FilmDocumentary

Harlan County U.S.A. (1977)

PG · 1977-01-23 · 1h 43m · EN
77%
User score
77 votes
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Which Side Are You On?

This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastovers refusal to sign a contract (when the miners joined with the United Mine Workers of America) led to the strike, which lasted more than a year and included violent battles between gun-toting company thugs/scabs and the picketing miners and their supportive women-folk. Director Barbara Kopple puts the strike into perspective by giving us some background on the historical plight of the miners and some history of the UMWA.

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Barbara KoppleDirector

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Media

Top billed cast

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Norman YarboroughNorman YarboroughHimself - Eastover Mining PresidentHouston ElmoreHouston ElmoreHimself - UMW organizerPhil SparksPhil SparksHimself - UMW staffBessie Lou CornettBessie Lou CornettHerselfLois ScottLois ScottHerselfSudie CrusenberrySudie CrusenberryHerselfMary Lou FergersonMary Lou FergersonHerselfBasil CollinsBasil CollinsHimself - mine foremanFlorence ReeceFlorence ReeceHerselfLois ScottLois ScottHerself

Keywords

Woman directorWorking classMiningKentuckyUnionStrikeMiners strikeLabor

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDocumentaryTheme affinityWoman Director · Working Class · MiningDirector preference185525Actor preference1036273 · 1036274 · 1036275Country preferenceUsDecade preference1970

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Frequently asked questions about Harlan County U.S.A.

What is Harlan County U.S.A. about?

This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastovers refusal to sign a contract (when the miners joined with the United Mine Workers of America) led to the strike, which lasted more than a year and included violent battles between gun-toting company thugs/scabs and the picketing miners and their supportive women-folk. Director Barbara Kopple puts the strike into perspective by giving us some background on the historical plight of the miners and some history of the UMWA.

How long is Harlan County U.S.A.?

Harlan County U.S.A. has a runtime of 103 minutes.

Where can I watch Harlan County U.S.A.?

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