MATEWAN

1987 | DIR: JOHN SAYLES | STARRING: CHRIS COOPER, JAMES EARL JONES, MARY MCDONNELL | REVIEW BY GLENN COCHRANE.

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The battle of Matewan (aka The Matewan Massacre) was an infamous shootout in 1920 between coal miners in West Virginia and a detective agency representing the Stone Mountain Mining Company. The men were striking against the poor working conditions and the company was refusing their demands. One thing led to another, and what began as an all-too familiar story of industrial action, eventually became one of the most blood-soaked chapters in trade union history.

​Director John Sayles (Lonestar, Passion Fish) explores the Matewan incident in his film of the same name, and in building towards to the anticipated climax, he explores the working conditions and relationships that laid the foundation for rising tensions and unrest. The township of Matewan rests in a valley and during the 1920s – when the country was experiencing an economic boom – the town relied solely on the wealth of the local mine. The Stone Mountain Mining Company acquired most of the township and its land, and employed most of its citizens. And with no representation, the workers were exploited and subjected to extreme and dangerous conditions.

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT SCREEN REALM.