# Harlan County U.S.A. (1976)

> Barbara Kopple's landmark documentary captures Appalachian miners and their families confronting armed corporate resistance during a protracted Kentucky coal strike.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/20845

## Facts

- Runtime: 104 min
- Genres: Documentary
- Director: Barbara Kopple
- Cast: Norman Yarborough, Houston Elmore, Phil Sparks, Bessie Lou Cornett Parker, Sudie Crusenberry, Mary Lou Fergerson, Basil Collins, Florence Reece
- TMDB rating: 7.6/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074605/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: graphic
- Mood: urgent, intimate, rousing, labor history viewing, political documentary night

## Synopsis

A gripping look at the struggle for workers' rights in the heart of Appalachia.

## Movies like Harlan County U.S.A.

- [Germinal (1993)](https://ember.film/movie/35208)
- [Medium Cool (1969)](https://ember.film/movie/27582)
- [Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005)](https://ember.film/movie/18260)
- [The Big One (1997)](https://ember.film/movie/1173)
- [Inequality for All (2013)](https://ember.film/movie/97277)
- [Man of Iron (1981)](https://ember.film/movie/186)
- [Blue Collar (1978)](https://ember.film/movie/8834)
- [Matewan (1987)](https://ember.film/movie/14329)
- [Bound for Glory (1976)](https://ember.film/movie/27242)
- [Norma Rae (1979)](https://ember.film/movie/26041)

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