Matewan

Matewan

132 mins | Drama, History | Aug. 28, 1987

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.

Matewan

132 mins | Drama, History | Aug. 28, 1987

Matewan
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.
IMDb rating 7.9
Producers Goldcrest, Cinecom Entertainment Group, Film Gallery, Red Dog Films
Original title Matewan
Directors Benita Allen, John Tintori, Matia Karrell, John Sayles
Writers John Sayles

Cast

Chris Cooper

as Joe Kenehan

James Earl Jones

as 'Few Clothes' Johnson

Mary McDonnell

as Elma Radnor

Will Oldham

as Danny Radnor

David Strathairn

as Police Chief Sid Hatfield

Ken Jenkins

as Sephus Purcell

Kevin Tighe

as Hickey

Gordon Clapp

as Griggs

Bob Gunton

as C.E. Lively

Jace Alexander

as Hilllard Elkins

Joe Grifasi

as Fausto

Nancy Mette

as Bridey Mae Tolliver

Jo Henderson

as Mrs. Elkins

Josh Mostel

as Mayor Cabell Testerman

Gary McCleery

as Ludie

Maggie Renzi

as Rosaria

Tom Wright

as Tom

Michael B. Preston

as Ellix (as Michael Preston)

Thomas A. Carlin

as Turley

Jenni Cline

as Luann

Michael Mantell

as Doolin

J.K. Kent Lilly

as Pappy's Voice (voice)

James Kizer

as Tolbert

Ronnie Stapleton

as Stennis

Davide Ferrario

as Gianni

Frank Payne Jr.

as Old Miner

John Sayles

as Hardshell Preacher

Hazel Dickens

as Singer

Charles Haywood

as Sheb

Neale Clark

as Isaac

Mitch Scott

as Mister

Hazel Pearl

as Missus

Michael Frasher

as Lee Felts

Frank Hoyt Taylor

as Al Felts

Fred Decker

as James

Bill Morris

as Bass

Delmas Lawhorn

as Conductor

William Dean

as Broker

P. Michael Munsey

as Broker

Thomas Hal Phillips

as Boxcar Guard

Stephen C. Hall

as Redneck Miner

Percy Fruit

as Black Miner

Thomas Poore

as Injured Black Miner

Tara Williams

as Miner's Wife

Gerald Milnes

as Fiddler

Mason Daring

as Picker

Jim Costa

as Mandolin Player

Phil Wiggins

as Harmonica Player