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Matewan (1987)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
John Sayles (writer)
Release Date:
28 August 1987 (USA)
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Tagline:
It takes more than guns to kill a man more
Plot:
A labor union organizer comes to an embattled mining community brutally and violently dominated and harassed by the mining company. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 2 wins
&
6 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Will Oldham Says "Goodbye"
(From Filmmaker Magazine. 9 March 2009, 2:06 AM, PDT)
Chris Cooper: "You Really Have to Work at It"
(From GreenCine. 2 September 2008, 12:17 AM, PDT)
(From Filmmaker Magazine. 9 March 2009, 2:06 AM, PDT)
Chris Cooper: "You Really Have to Work at It"
(From GreenCine. 2 September 2008, 12:17 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Great movie about my hometown!
more (43 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Chris Cooper | ... | Joe Kenehan |
 | James Earl Jones | ... | 'Few Clothes' Johnson |
 | Mary McDonnell | ... | Elma Radnor |
 | Will Oldham | ... | Danny Radnor |
 | David Strathairn | ... | Police Chief Sid Hatfield |
| Ken Jenkins | ... | Sephus Purcell |
 | Gordon Clapp | ... | Griggs |
| Kevin Tighe | ... | Hickey |
 | John Sayles | ... | Hardshell Preacher |
 | Bob Gunton | ... | C.E. Lively |
| Josh Mostel | ... | Mayor Cabell Testerman |
| Nancy Mette | ... | Bridey Mae |
 | Jace Alexander | ... | Hillard Elkins |
 | Joe Grifasi | ... | Fausto |
| Gary McCleery | ... | Ludie |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
135 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The movie mentions that Sid Hatfield married Mayor Testerman's widow. There is speculation from historians that Sid Hatfield himself killed Mayor Testerman in the confusion so that he could marry the mayor's wife.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: In the scene where the coal company executives are trying to bribe the Mayor and Sid Hatfield, the calendar behind the mayor reads September 1920. The historical shootout at the climax occurred in May of 1920, four months beforehand.
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Quotes:
[about the owner of the Baldwin-Felts agency:]
Sid Hatfield: I've met Mr. Felts. I wouldn't pee on him if his heart was on fire.
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Sid Hatfield: I've met Mr. Felts. I wouldn't pee on him if his heart was on fire.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Game-On: (#3.2)" (1998)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (43 total)
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If you are from Matewan, you know the shock of having this movie be about your hometown. I can't help but wonder if James Earl Jones was thinking "Why the hell are we making a movie about this place??" I think the population when I lived there (most of my life) was somewhere around 1200. Probably hasn't grown much. I still keep in contact with a few people from there. My dad owned a bar there called the Silver Dollar, and he worked in the mines at one time, as did my mother and grandfather. I've heard stories of how the real Matewan Massacre went, along with Bloody Mingo and all the rest, and from what I've heard from my family, this movie is pretty close to the truth. Matewan has always been a rough town, and even today fights are commonplace in this little one street town. It's pretty desolate, with no real business, no industry, and the coal mines are almost mined out. The nearest decent place is Williamson (WV) or Pikeville, Kentucky, a small college town. I miss home sometimes, but at least I can watch the movie and be reminded of home. One thing about it... it's an entertaining movie. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, but then again, I'm biased.