Skip to content
Vescene
Sign in
Matewan poster

Film

Matewan

1987 · 2h 12m · Drama · History

It takes more than guns to kill a man.

IMDb
7.9
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
Metacritic
73

On Vescene

No Vescene ratings yet — sign in and be the first.

Overview

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

Chris Cooper

Joe Kenehan

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

'Few Clothes' Johnson

Mary McDonnell

Mary McDonnell

Elma Radnor

Will Oldham

Will Oldham

Danny Radnor

David Strathairn

David Strathairn

Police Chief Sid Hatfield

Ken Jenkins

Ken Jenkins

Sephus Purcell

Kevin Tighe

Kevin Tighe

Bill Hickey

Gordon Clapp

Gordon Clapp

Tom Griggs

Bob Gunton

Bob Gunton

C.E. Lively

Jace Alexander

Jace Alexander

Hilllard Elkins

Joe Grifasi

Joe Grifasi

Fausto

Nancy Mette

Nancy Mette

Bridey Mae Tolliver

Jo Henderson

Mrs. Elkins

Josh Mostel

Josh Mostel

Mayor Cabell Testerman

Gary McCleery

Gary McCleery

Ludie

Maggie Renzi

Maggie Renzi

Rosaria

Crew

Media

Details

Release date
August 28, 1987
Status
Released
Original language
English
Runtime
2h 12m
Rated
PG-13
Budget
$4,000,000
Revenue
$1,680,358
Genres
Drama, History

Similar films

Rate it on Vescene

Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.