Overview
A gripping tale of struggle and unity amidst the chaos of labor rights.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- grim
- earnest
- atmospheric
- political film night
- historical drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Matewan as a heartfelt, visually striking historical labor drama anchored by exceptional ensemble performances, while finding its storytelling somewhat straightforward.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joe Kenehan works to unite local, Black, and Italian coal miners against company operators and strikebreakers.
The fictional Joe Kenehan is placed alongside real figures such as Sid Hatfield and the historically documented Matewan conflict.
Coal miners confront company control, imported labor, private detectives, and the danger of union organizing.
Haskell Wexler's cinematography emphasizes dark figures, misty backgrounds, coal dust, and grim Appalachian conditions.
Films like Matewan, and why
Norma Rae
historical labor conflict, social realism, and collective resistance against entrenched power
The Grapes of Wrath
working-class solidarity, institutional oppression, and emotionally direct historical drama
The Killing Floor
period social realism, racial tension, and morally driven community struggle
Reds
political filmmaking, class conflict, and ensemble-centered historical drama
Movie Details
- Director
- John Sayles
- Release Date
- 1987-08-28
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (144)
Cast
- Chris Cooper
- James Earl Jones
- Mary McDonnell
- Will Oldham
- David Strathairn
- Ken Jenkins
- Kevin Tighe
- Gordon Clapp
- Bob Gunton
- Jace Alexander
Common questions
- What is Matewan about?
- In a coal town divided by race, immigration, and corporate power, a union organizer tries to turn exploited miners into a united force before violence overwhelms their fragile alliance.
- What is Matewan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Matewan as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Matewan violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Matewan as brutal.
- What did critics think of Matewan?
- Critics broadly praised Matewan as a heartfelt, visually striking historical labor drama anchored by exceptional ensemble performances, while finding its storytelling somewhat straightforward.
- Which films are like Matewan?
- Films with a similar feel include Norma Rae, The Grapes of Wrath, The Killing Floor, and Reds.
- How long is Matewan?
- Matewan runs 132 minutes.
