Name: Down and Out in America
Genre: History, Documentary
Released: 1986-12-01
Duration: 57 min
Rating: 6.9

Where to Watch

Region

Prices last updated September 25, 2026. Pricing and availability may vary by region.

About

The recession of the 1980s split the country into the haves and have-nots, from family farmers to factory workers and homeless people forced to live in decrepit welfare hotels. On the verge of losing everything, courageous Americans discover the power of community organizing to fight injustice.

Theatrical

Dec 1, 1986

Director

Lee Grant

Producers

Joseph Feury, Milton Justice, Carol Cuddy

Music

Tom Manoff

Studio

HBO, Joseph Feury Productions, Karmic Release Productions, Hope Runs High Films

Keywords

new york city minnesota recession homelessness american way of life ronald reagan los angeles, california poverty homeless shelter unemployment bankruptcy foreclosure farming community woman director farm crisis 1980s unreliable government