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| Date | Area | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| USA | USD 1,680,358 |
The steam locomotive used in "Matewan" was ex-New York, Chicago, and St.
Louis Railway ("Nickel Plate Road") #765.
It was a modern steam locomotive built in the 1940's and thus would not have existed at the time of the events depicted in "Matewan.
" In the scene where the coal company executives are trying to bribe the Mayor and Sid Hatfield, the calendar behind the mayor reads September 1920.
The historical shootout at the climax occurred in May of 1920, four months beforehand.
Critics Award |
Independent Spirit Award |
| Best Cinematography |
| Best Director |
| Best Feature |
| Best Screenplay |
| Best Supporting Male |
| Date | Area | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| USA | USD 1,680,358 |
A John Sales epic, concerning a miners strike in the remote town of Matewan. Based on true events in West Virginia (1920), when white and black American's (together with Italians), form one big union allegiance, against an evil mining company and their henchman.
A labor union organizer (Chris Cooper) comes to an embattled mining community brutally and violently dominated and harassed by the mining company.The problem with a union movie is that today (2016) the union movement is more controversial than ever.
Matewan (1987) is a movie based on the West Virginia Mine Wars, specifically the action around Matewan in 1920. It was written and directed by John Sayles.
Great movie, perhaps the best labor drama since 1954's Salt of the Earth. I wasn't around in 1920, but the gritty "feel" of the times is present, in spades, along with the sheer poverty surrounding the mines.
I had really enjoyed John Sayles movie Lone Star, and so was curious about Matewan. Especially, as the reviews for it, were positive.
I live in Australia, so this type of American history is quite often unknown here. Over the past few weeks, I have been studying the history of the American coal mining industry.
I've seen a few movies about oil miners like there will be blood, (Gold)1974, October Sky, and the film similar to working (F.I.
This 1987 film aims to document real events that concerned a small coal mining community (called Matewan) in West Virginia in 1920. The miners are trying to organize a union, much to the dismay of the company that employs them.
