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.

Chris Cooper
Joe Kenehan

James Earl Jones
'Few Clothes' Johnson

Mary McDonnell
Elma Radnor

Will Oldham
Danny Radnor

David Strathairn
Police Chief Sid Hatfield

Ken Jenkins
Sephus Purcell

Kevin Tighe
Bill Hickey

Gordon Clapp
Tom Griggs
Only 120 ratings so far. The current score has wide uncertainty. Treat it as a preliminary signal.
Why we're confident →Release Date
August 28, 1987
Runtime
2h 12m
Rating
PG-13
Genres
Drama, History
Director