MATEWAN

"MATEWAN" --- (1987) --- 

MY THOUGHTS:
This movie was new to me. I was excited to see it, since it was based on actual events and holds a place in history. While Matewan is a rather accurate portrayal of the Matewan Massacre that occurred in 1920 and represented by several characters that existed in real life, the director created a few fictional characters to dramatize the events. Joe Kenehan and Danny Radnor are both fictional characters in the film. Fictional or not, all of the characters were written well, and the actors did a great job with their portrayals. It is worth a watch for anyone who is interested in the events, or just wants to enjoy a good film.

SYNOPSIS:
"Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920's 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."

STARRING:
Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mason Daring, John Sayles, Maggie Renzi and David Stratharin

SCREENPLAY:
John Sayles

DIRECTOR:
John Sayles