Matewan (1987)

Director: John Sayles

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.

Cast

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

Bob Gunton

C.E. Lively

Jace Alexander

Hilllard Elkins