Matewan
"It takes more than guns to kill a man."
Originally released in 1987. Matewan is a drama/history film. directed by John Sayles. With a runtime of 2h 12m, it's an epic theatrical experience.
Starring Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, and Mary McDonnell
Synopsis
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.
Quick Facts
Release Date
August 28, 1987
38 years ago
Runtime
2h 12m
132 minutes total
User Rating
7.4/10
Great (123 votes)
Budget
$4M
Production budget
Box Office
$1.7M
0.4x return
Language
English
Original language
Country
United States of America
Production
Director
Top 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 Bill Hickey
Gordon Clapp
as Tom Griggs
Bob Gunton
as C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander
as Hilllard Elkins
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Production Details
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- EN
- Budget
- $4,000,000
- Revenue
- $1,680,358
Production Companies
- Cinecom Entertainment Group
- Film Gallery
- Goldcrest
- Red Dog Films
- Winwood Productions
Frequently Asked Questions
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 sy...
Who directed Matewan?
Matewan was directed by John Sayles.
How long is Matewan?
Matewan has a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes (132 minutes total).
When was Matewan released?
Matewan was released on August 28, 1987 in theaters.
Who are the main actors in Matewan?
The main cast of Matewan includes Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, David Strathairn.
Is Matewan worth watching?
Matewan has a user rating of 7.4/10 based on 123 reviews, indicating very good reception from audiences.