Matewan(1987)
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
Matewan Synopsis
Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s 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.
Matewan (1987) is a drama and history film directed by John Sayles, released on August 28, 1987 with a runtime of 2h 12m. It stars Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell and Will Oldham. Viewers rate it 7.4 out of 10 across 142 ratings.
- Director:
- John Sayles
- Writers:
- John Sayles
- Producers:
- Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi
- Cinematographer:
- Haskell Wexler
- Composer:
- Mason Daring
- Production:
- Cinecom Entertainment Group, Film Gallery, Goldcrest Films International, Red Dog Films, Winwood Productions
- Budget:
- $4,000,000
- Revenue:
- $1,680,358
- Status:
- Released
Matewan (1987) Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Matewan before you stream it.
Matewan Cast & Crew
Main cast
Chris Cooper
as Joe Kenehan
James Earl Jones
as 'Few Clothes' Johnson
Mary McDonnell
as Elma Radnor
Will Oldham
as Danny Radnor
David Strathairn
as Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Ken Jenkins
as Sephus Purcell
Kevin Tighe
as Bill Hickey
Gordon Clapp
as Tom Griggs
Bob Gunton
as C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander
as Hilllard Elkins
Joe Grifasi
as Fausto
Nancy Mette
as Bridey Mae Tolliver
Key crew
Directed by John Sayles, written by John Sayles, produced by Peggy Rajski and Maggie Renzi.
Explore more Drama titles
Matewan Reviews & Ratings
Average viewer score of 7.4/10 from 142 ratings.
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Matewan – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Matewan online?
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Matewan (1987) is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Streaming availability is checked against JustWatch data and can change by region.
Who stars in Matewan?
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The main cast of Matewan (1987) includes Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham and David Strathairn. The film was directed by John Sayles. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was Matewan released?
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Matewan was released on August 28, 1987 and runs for 2h 12m.
Is Matewan worth watching?
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Matewan (1987) holds an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from 142 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy drama and history films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Is there a trailer for Matewan?
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Yes. The official Matewan trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.