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Matewan (DVD, 2008)
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$29.99
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Bin 159 dvd.
- Buy It NowMatewan (DVD, 2008) NEW
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About this product
Product Information
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 Matewan that started the 1920-1921 Coal War between miners and coal company thugs, MATEWAN subverts the convention of Westerns like HIGH NOON. Kenehan is not the drifter who will save the miners with his skill at a six-shooter; rather, he is a pacifist whose message of non-violent resistance the miners have difficulty accepting. The story is divided into four parts, alternating between times when Kenehan prevails and times when the instinct for revenge against the coal company wins out. The first large-scale historical epic made by director John Sayles (who once worked in the Meat Packer's Union), MATEWAN is a subtle strike against the anti-union climate of the 1980s and a moving portrait of the difficulties of collective action.Product Identifiers
UPC0774212206139
eBay Product ID (ePID)72040806
Product Key Features
ActorChris Cooper, James Earl Jones
RatingNR
Movie/TV TitleMatewan
DirectorJohn Sayles
FormatDVD
Release Year2008
GenreDrama
Additional Product Features
Number of Discs1
Country/Region of ManufactureUSA
Leading RoleChris Cooper, James Earl Jones
Release Date20080501
Film CountryUSA
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Oct 13, 2025
Disc rated Acceptable; had some hazy spo...
Disc rated Acceptable; had some hazy spots on data surface. Didn't play well with VLC at first but seem to work OK after spots were mostly wiped off. Skimmed through chapters to ensure they play. Film has a documentary feel about it. Accents difficult to understand at times; wish film had subtitles. If you like this film, you'll probably also like Harlan County USA.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Apr 12, 2016
West Virginia Coal Wars
This true account of West Virginia history will bring to the surface the pain for the miners and their families. What we know as freedom and personal choice hasn't always been a welcome ideology, especially in WV where the poor were forced to live and work as slaves owned by mining companies. Through the sacrifice of sweat, tears and death the union was organized and the miners gained strength in numbers. Ironically this is my home. The greatest state of WV.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Nov 06, 2018
Miners Battle Brutal Mine Owners' Thugs
Delighted to be able to see this look at coal country history, especially in light of the heated political rhetoric today. A reminder that unions arose because they were desperately needed. Miners today enjoy vastly improved wages and working conditions today because of those early sacrifices. The depressed nature of the industry is far more a matter of broad economic factors (such as fracking) beyond the influence of both labor and management, and no promises or skewed political give-aways will make coal king. Always better to look at actual history rather than talking points designed to promote the talkers, not the workers. Go UMWA!Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Jul 19, 2025
This is an engaging movie. Based on a t...
This is an engaging movie. Based on a true story and Matewan is real. I have been there.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Nov 07, 2015
Better than expected
This movie was a lot better than. I expected I bought it for a class project & really enjoyed it. It gives a good account of the events that lead up to the massacre .Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Feb 16, 2018
Life struggle
This movie is a short view of real life struggles of the past. I felt drawn into the era. Needless to say I loved the movie.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Dec 30, 2015
Matewan movie
Very good movie and good quality at a reasonable price and hard to find.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Sep 21, 2021
Overall, very good film.
Very good story line. Excellent acting.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jun 07, 2016
Great movie
A excellent movieVerified purchase: YesCondition: New
- Jun 29, 2016
great story about American unionism and fight for better working conditions for workers
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
