France / May 11, 1987 / Cannes Film Festival
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
2h 12min
Overall average
5.0/10
Trailer
Videos
Plot
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.
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Gordon Clapp | Tom Griggs |
| Bob Gunton | C.E. Lively |
| Jace Alexander | Hilllard Elkins |
| Joe Grifasi | Fausto |
| Nancy Mette | Bridey Mae Tolliver |
| Jo Henderson | Mrs. Elkins |
| Josh Mostel | Mayor Cabell Testerman |
| Gary McCleery | Ludie |
| Maggie Renzi | Rosaria |
| Tom Wright | Tom |
| Michael B. Preston | Ellix (as Michael Preston) |
| Thomas A. Carlin | Turley |
| Jenni Cline | Luann |
| Michael Mantell | Doolin |
| J.K. Kent Lilly | Pappy's Voice (voice) |
| James Kizer | Tolbert |
| Ronnie Stapleton | Stennis |
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| Davide Ferrario | Gianni |
| Frank Payne Jr. | Old Miner |
| John Sayles | Hardshell Preacher |
| Hazel Dickens | Singer |
| Charles Haywood | Sheb |
| Neale Clark | Isaac |
| Mitch Scott | Mister |
| Hazel Pearl | Missus |
| Michael Frasher | Lee Felts |
| Frank Hoyt Taylor | Al Felts |
| Fred Decker | James |
| Bill Morris | Bass |
| Delmas Lawhorn | Conductor |
| William Dean | Broker |
| P. Michael Munsey | Broker |
| Thomas Hal Phillips | Boxcar Guard |
| Stephen C. Hall | Redneck Miner |
| Percy Fruit | Black Miner |
| Thomas Poore | Injured Black Miner |
| Tara Williams | Miner's Wife |
| Gerald Milnes | Fiddler |
| Mason Daring | Picker |
| Jim Costa | Mandolin Player |
| Phil Wiggins | Harmonica Player |
| Ida Williams | Mrs. Knightes |
Genres
DramaHistory
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | Matewan |
| Original language | English (EN) |
| Spoken languages | English, Italiano |
| Production countries | United States of America |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Cinecom Entertainment Group, Film Gallery, Goldcrest, Red Dog Films, Winwood Productions |
| Release date | 28 agosto 1987 |
| Executive producer | Jerry Silva, Mark Balsam, Amir Jacob Malin |
| Production | Ira Deutchman, James Glenn Dudelson, Ned Kandel, Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi |
| Writer | John Sayles |
| Casting | Barbara Shapiro, Barbara-Ann Stein |
| Editing | Sonya Polonsky, David Leonard, Geraldine Peroni |
| Cinematography | Haskell Wexler, Debbie Sarjeant, Sean Fogel, Bob Marshak, P. Scott Sakamoto, Arthur Blum, Robert K. Feldmann, Erica Gelczis, Lee Shapira, Stefan Czapsky, Newton Thomas Sigel, Mitch Dubin, Claiborne Lashley, Luke Latino, Claudia Bailey |
| Assistant directors | Matia Karrell, Benita Allen, John Sayles, John Tintori |
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Release dates
Premiere
Theatrical release
United States / Aug 28, 1987 / PG-13
Japan / Aug 13, 1988
Italy / Oct 21, 1988
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