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Matewan [VHS] | ![Matewan [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519GJ691F1L._SL160_.jpg) | Actors: Jace Alexander, Tom Carlin, Gordon Clapp, Chris Cooper, Joe Grifasi
Studio: Evergreen Ent
Category: Video
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $5.00
as of 11/27/2009 15:28 CST details
You Save: $9.98 (67%)
New (4) Used (20) Collectible (3) from $5.00
Seller: missmarybooks
Rating:  70 reviews
Sales Rank: 4448
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), Italian (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 142 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6304383657
UPC: 707729651437
EAN: 9786304383650
ASIN: 6304383657
Theatrical Release Date: August 28, 1987
Release Date: April 29, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
A little-known chapter of American labor history is brought vividly to life in this period drama from writer-director John Sayles. It's a fictional story about labor wars among West Virginia coal miners during the 1920's, but every detail is so right that the film has the unmistakable ring of truth. The tension begins when the Stone Mountain Coal Company of Matewan, West Virginia, announces a lower pay rate for miners, who respond by calling a strike under the leadership of a United Mine Workers representative (Chris Cooper). Proving strength in numbers, the miners are joined by black and Italian miners who initially resist the strike, and a fateful battle ensues when detectives hired by the coal company attempt to evict miners from company housing. Violence erupts in a sequence of astonishing, cathartic intensity, and Matewan achieves a rare degree of moral complexity combined with gut-wrenching tragedy. The film salutes a pacifist ideal while recognizing that personal and political convictions often must be defended with violence. To illustrate this point, Sayles enlisted master cinematographer Haskell Wexler, who creates the film's authentic visual texture--a triumph of artistry over limited resources. The result is a milestone of independent filmmaking, and Matewan remains one of Sayles's finest achievements. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
 Realistic and Fast-Passed Action Drama October 18, 2009
Kanawha (Atlanta, GA, USA)
Coming from southern West Virginia, this DVD had special meaning to me. In it I saw glimpses of the coalfield scenes my mother, grandmother, aunts and uncles talked about.
It is suspenseful from the beginning and throughout, fast-paced and entertaining. James Earl Jones and Chris Cooper are superb, but lesser known actors stand out too for their understated realism. There is action, there is drama and a great story, all intelligently done. I've shared my copy with a number of friends who were equally impressed. I believe this is Sayles' finest picture.
Great Historically Accurate Movie September 10, 2009
V. Karl (Dallas, TX USA)
I grew up in the Western Pennsylvania coal fields hearing similar stories and the area portrayed in this movie is very much like that area. The movie is intense and viewed from the vantage point of the 21st century, we tend to forget how badly laborers as a whole were treated in the early half of the 20th century. Memorable performances abound and the movie will leave an indelible imprint in your memory.
Dramatic. Real. Unforgettable. August 23, 2009
bongo (Denver, CO USA)
This has got to be one of the best, if not the best, American film of the past 30 years. It is for me anyway. It's about a miner's strike in Mingo county West Virginia in 1920. From what I understand it's based on a true events. The basic story is - Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper) comes to town to help the coal miners set up a union. The Stone Mountain Coal Company paid little, paid in company scrip, and owned the houses the workers lived in. The company brings in two Baldwin Phelps private detectives (Pinkerton types) to fight back against this labor organization. It's a fascinating battle as the union goes on strike and the detectives do anything they can, legal or otherwise, to subvert them. Classic storytelling.
The cast was superb. Many of these guys are from the Sayles *company* so to speak - Mary McDonnell, David Straithairn, Chris Cooper and the others. Not a bad performance in the movie.
Another thing I liked about the movie is it's attention to detail. I noticed the baseball Kenehan and Danny Radnor (a young Will Oldham) were throwing around in one scene. It certainly looked like something from the dead ball era. They filmed on location. The clothes were totally from the period. They used oil lamps. All these details added up, powerfully evoking the time and place - West Virginia in 1920.
Lastly, I didn't have any problem with the DVD as others seemed to. It didn't have any extras, but I don't care about that stuff anyway, so no loss. I did have to get it used though. I'm not sure why the company isn't releasing it new. (Well, it wasn't a commercial hit and movies about coal mining strikes probably aren't easy sells. I guess that's it.) It cost me [...] and it was worth every penny.
 Matewan May 14, 2009
WV History Teacher
A movie that allows one to get an idea of what the Coal Mining Wars of West Virginia involved. Could do without the rebel flag in the background since it is misleading the main idea of the story.
great movie and hard to find about coalminers and union January 7, 2009
gypsymarie (USA)
I bought this for my boyfriend for christmas and I was lucky to find it on amazon. It is hard to find anywhere else. But it is a great movie about coalminers and the union. Buy it
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
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