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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.
Theatrical
Aug 28, 1987
Box Office
$1.7M
Budget
$4.0M
Return
0.4x
DVD / Blu-ray
Aug 14, 2001
Theaters
1
Director
Producers
Music
Studio
Cinecom Entertainment Group, Film Gallery, Goldcrest, Red Dog Films, Winwood Productions
Quotes
See all →Exploitation in the Coal Industry
Taglines
At the coal company they use you until you wear out.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Power Beyond Violence
Taglines
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cast
Full credits →C
Chris Cooper
Joe Kenehan
James Earl Jones
'Few Clothes' Johnson
M
Mary McDonnell
Elma Radnor
W
Will Oldham
Danny Radnor
D
David Strathairn
Police Chief Sid Hatfield
K
Ken Jenkins
Sephus Purcell
K
Kevin Tighe
Bill Hickey
G
Gordon Clapp
Tom Griggs
B
Bob Gunton
C.E. Lively
J
Jace Alexander
Hilllard Elkins
J
Joe Grifasi
Fausto
N
Nancy Mette
Bridey Mae Tolliver
J
Jo Henderson
Mrs. Elkins
J
Josh Mostel
Mayor Cabell Testerman
G
Gary McCleery
Ludie
M
Maggie Renzi
Rosaria
T
Tom Wright
Tom
T
Thomas A. Carlin
Turley
M
Michael Mantell
Doolin
D
Davide Ferrario
Gianni
