Matewan poster
FilmDramaHistory

Matewan (1987)

PG-13 · 1987-08-28 · 2h 12m · EN
72%
User score
89 votes
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It takes more than guns to kill a man.

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.

Read the Matewan feature →
John SaylesDirector, Writer
Budget
$4M
Box office
$1.7M

Media

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Chris CooperChris CooperJoe KenehanJames Earl JonesJames Earl Jones'Few Clothes' JohnsonMary McDonnellMary McDonnellElma RadnorWill OldhamWill OldhamDanny RadnorDavid StrathairnDavid StrathairnPolice Chief Sid HatfieldKen JenkinsKen JenkinsSephus PurcellGordon ClappGordon ClappGriggsKevin TigheKevin TigheHickeyJohn SaylesJohn SaylesHardshell PreacherJace AlexanderJace AlexanderHilllard ElkinsBob GuntonBob GuntonC.E. LivelyJoe GrifasiJoe GrifasiFausto

Keywords

Based on a true storyAppalachia1920sWest virginiaRacismPreacherLabor unionIndependent filmCoal miningMiners strikeLabor organizerWorker's rightsBased on true story

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDrama · HistoryTheme affinityBased On A True Story · Appalachia · 1920sDialogue densityDramaPacingLongDirector preference103419Actor preference119516 · 91892 · 6902

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Frequently asked questions about Matewan

What is Matewan 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.

How long is Matewan?

Matewan has a runtime of 132 minutes.