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Matewan Reviews

1987

70
from 1191 members

The year is 1920, the setting Matewan, West Virginia, where the town's coal miners labor under miserable, unhealthy conditions. Enter Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper), a rebellious union leader who wants to organize the West Virginian miners, as well as the Italians and blacks brought in as workers. Based on a real massacre in .. Read more

Starring	Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Ken Jenkins
Director	John Sayles
Genres	Drama

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Most helpful member's review of Matewan
View all members' reviews (15)
- - 12
  - 0
  A great American movie
  
  'Matewan' is a great example of how film can engage with social issues, politics and history, without becoming dry or polemic.
  
  Like Sayles&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 303298
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - pipandian
  - London
  - 06 May 2004 at 16:08
Most recent members' reviews of Matewan
View all members' reviews (15)
- - 0
  - 0
  Bleak mood sets the tone of this coal mine strike story
  
  This 1987 film, written and directed by John Sayles, is based on a real incident from the 1920, when workers from a West Virginia coal mine went on strike. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 744622
- - a customer
  - London
  - 17 Apr 2009 at 19:47
- - 0
  - 0
  Matewan a must see
  
  Great film which in todays globalised world is as relevant as ever. The scene where the union organiser explains what a union should be is a lesson for any ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 586756
- - Rev
  - 2 reviews
  - Crumlin
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 12:02
- - 0
  - 0
  A slice of union history
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Matewan is the tragic tale of the unionisation of mine workers in 19th century America. There is some nice camerawork, showing documentary-style photography ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 586118
- - filmfansoutheast
  - 23 reviews
  - Sandgate
  - 21 Jun 2008 at 18:10
- - 0
  - 0
  If John Sayles is involved, you can expect a quality movie
  
  I've always been a fan of John Sayles films since I saw Lianna and The Return of the Secaucus Seven years ago. This is one of his films that it's taken... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 482189
- - a customer
  - Edinburgh, Scotland
  - 03 Oct 2007 at 17:28
- - 1
  - 0
  Sub Zola
  
  'Matewan' is enjoyable because the story of the Workers oppressed by the Bosses is always a good one. But, quite early on, I found myself thinking, '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 463288
- - sailonby
  - 96 reviews
  - Exeter
  - 03 Aug 2007 at 20:30
- - 0
  - 0
  A REAL American movie?
  
  Great story, good acting and perfect music - what more does a film fan want?
  
  Report this review
- 398938
- - a customer
  - Ireland
  - 04 Jan 2007 at 18:52
- - 0
  - 0
  A gripping history lesson
  
  It is a rarity these days to see a film that has a social conscience, what with Hollywood more preoccupied with more action and better special effects, so ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 393814
- - richard nixon
  - Preston, England
  - 11 Dec 2006 at 17:37
- - 0
  - 0
  Gripping
  
  Knowing this was a John Sayles film, we knew we were in for a good one. Especially as Chris Cooper and James Earl Jones were in the cast. We were not ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 155791
- - crispin40
  - 530 reviews
  - Stirling, Scotland
  - 01 Oct 2005 at 22:05
- - 0
  - 0
  A little gem
  
  Came to this only knowing it was a John Sayles film and came away thinking this was his best yet. Chris Cooper is excellent in the lead role. Coming from a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 139034
- - Martin
  - Sunderland
  - 11 Aug 2005 at 16:59
- - 1
  - 1
  Divide and Rule
  
  A story of the early--and non-mafia controlled-- union IWW in America. Cooper gives a very convincing and sympathetic portrayal of union organiser Joe Kenehan.<... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 337587
- - triplegem
  - essex
  - 12 Jun 2005 at 16:33
View all members' reviews (15)

- - 12
  - 0
  A great American movie
  
  'Matewan' is a great example of how film can engage with social issues, politics and history, without becoming dry or polemic.
  
  Like Sayles&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 303298
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - pipandian
  - London
  - 06 May 2004 at 16:08
- - 4
  - 0
  A moral tale ...
  
  Having been in Yorkshire during THE strike in 84-85, this film brought back feelings and memories of that time. Will the definitive cinematic treatment of one ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 61335
- - a customer
  - Rotherham, Yorkshire, England
  - 31 Dec 2004 at 02:41
- - 3
  - 0
  Bitter socialist struggle
  
  Great film, hard edged, uncompromising portrayal of nascent labour disputes which seem as relevant in the days of Walmart as in the bad ol' days of the '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 335045
- - BigMick2
  - London
  - 18 May 2005 at 10:35
- - 2
  - 0
  Will Oldham before he was a prince!
  
  Have to admit that we rented this because it had Will Oldham in it. In that respect it's weirdly fascinating - watch it if you're a fan. We started out ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 21547
- - a customer
  - Nottinghamshire, England
  - 12 Oct 2004 at 21:05
- - 1
  - 0
  Slow starting but ends well
  
  Matewan is a small mining town in America that is forced to come to terms with racism, unions and corruption. After a slow start, the film opens up into a taut... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 107264
- - a customer
  - Inglewood
  - 24 May 2005 at 21:28
- - 1
  - 0
  Sub Zola
  
  'Matewan' is enjoyable because the story of the Workers oppressed by the Bosses is always a good one. But, quite early on, I found myself thinking, '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 463288
- - sailonby
  - 96 reviews
  - Exeter
  - 03 Aug 2007 at 20:30
- - 0
  - 0
  A little gem
  
  Came to this only knowing it was a John Sayles film and came away thinking this was his best yet. Chris Cooper is excellent in the lead role. Coming from a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 139034
- - Martin
  - Sunderland
  - 11 Aug 2005 at 16:59
- - 0
  - 0
  Gripping
  
  Knowing this was a John Sayles film, we knew we were in for a good one. Especially as Chris Cooper and James Earl Jones were in the cast. We were not ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 155791
- - crispin40
  - 530 reviews
  - Stirling, Scotland
  - 01 Oct 2005 at 22:05
- - 1
  - 1
  Divide and Rule
  
  A story of the early--and non-mafia controlled-- union IWW in America. Cooper gives a very convincing and sympathetic portrayal of union organiser Joe Kenehan.<... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 337587
- - triplegem
  - essex
  - 12 Jun 2005 at 16:33
- - 0
  - 0
  A gripping history lesson
  
  It is a rarity these days to see a film that has a social conscience, what with Hollywood more preoccupied with more action and better special effects, so ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 393814
- - richard nixon
  - Preston, England
  - 11 Dec 2006 at 17:37

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