IMDb > Salt of the Earth (1954)
Salt of the Earth
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Salt of the Earth (1954) More at IMDbPro »

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Salt of the Earth (1954) -- Based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers...

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   967 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
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View company contact information for Salt of the Earth on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 March 1954 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Banned! The film the US government didn't want you to see! more
Plot:
Based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers... more | add synopsis
Awards:
3 wins more
User Reviews:
More Than Just A Blacklisted Film more (28 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Will Geer ... Sheriff
David Wolfe ... Barton
Mervin Williams ... Hartwell
David Sarvis ... Alexander
Rosaura Revueltas ... Esperanza Quintero
E.A. Rockwell ... Vance
William Rockwell ... Kimbrough
Juan Chacón ... Ramon Quintero (as Juan Chacon)
Henrietta Williams ... Teresa Vidal
Ángela Sánchez ... Consuelo Ruiz (as Angela Sanchez)
Clorinda Alderette ... Luz Morales
Virginia Jencks ... Ruth Barnes
Clinton Jencks ... Frank Barnes
Joe T. Morales ... Sal Ruiz
Ernesto Velázquez ... Charley Vidal (as Ernest Velasquez)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Because blacklisted people were among those who made the movie, the production was fraught with outside interference. The entire cast and crew were met by a citizens' committee in Central, New Mexico, where they had planned to film, and were ordered to leave town. The following day they moved the production to Silver City, NM, and were warned to "get out of town... or go out in black boxes." more
Quotes:
Esperanza Quintero: [opening narration] How shall I begin my story that has no beginning? My name is Esperanza, Esperanza Quintero. I am a miner's wife. This is our home. The house is not ours. But the flowers... the flowers are ours. This is my village. When I was a child, it was called San Marcos... more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Crime to Fit the Punishment (1982) more

FAQ

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24 out of 27 people found the following review useful.
More Than Just A Blacklisted Film, 23 January 2000
10/10
Author: Dr.Mike from Chicago, IL

Salt Of The Earth is best known as a blacklisted film made by many of the artists whose lives were destroyed by HUAC and the complicity of the film industry. While the film's very exsistance is a tribute to the determination of the artists to do the right thing and not be silenced, it is much more than that. It is also a moving film tribute to the underclass of America who suffer greatly due to injustice and inequality. The film portrays the strike of Chicano mine workers in New Mexico. Their demands, which the company took 15 months to meet, included such outrages as safety, equality, and indoor plumbing. The most interesting aspect of the film is the way in which the women of the community are forced to take a leading role. By linking the oppression of the workers to the workers' oppression of their wives, the film becomes not only a pro-union film but also a feminist one. The story is stirring, and the scenes where the women are attacked for standing by their men are unforgetable. Salt of the Earth probably has more to do with everyday American lives than 99 percent of Hollywood films. Its humane portrayal of regular people fighting for their rights cannot help but awaken the common elements in us all.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Salt of the Earth (1954)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
An essay on the making of the film, by one of the actors: hezmodo
I was there when this movie was filmed baboquivri
My father was Stanley Meredith the cinematographer chris-meredith
the professional cast jstever
Movie on how S of the E was made eddiehan
DVD of movie available for free download akb-4
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