Matewan
1987 • Drama | History
John Sayles
Director
John Sayles
Writer
Status
Released
Release date
August 28, 1987
Duration
132 Min
Language
en
Popularity
1.8363
Budget
$4,000,000
Revenue
$1,680,358
Overview
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.
Cast
Chris Cooper
James Earl Jones
Mary McDonnell
Will Oldham
David Strathairn
Ken Jenkins
Kevin Tighe
Gordon Clapp
Bob Gunton
Jace Alexander
Joe Grifasi
Nancy Mette
Josh Mostel
Gary McCleery
Maggie Renzi
Tom Wright
Michael Mantell
Davide Ferrario
John Sayles
Hazel Dickens
Mitch Scott
Frank Hoyt Taylor
Mason Daring
