Overview
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.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorJohn Sayles
WriterJohn Sayles
Cast
Chris Cooper
Joe Kenehan
James Earl Jones
'Few Clothes' Johnson
Mary McDonnell
Elma Radnor
Will Oldham
Danny Radnor
David Strathairn
Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Ken Jenkins
Sephus Purcell
Kevin Tighe
Bill Hickey
Gordon Clapp
Tom Griggs
Bob Gunton
C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander
Hilllard Elkins
Joe Grifasi
Fausto
Nancy Mette
Bridey Mae Tolliver
Jo Henderson
Mrs. Elkins
Josh Mostel
Mayor Cabell Testerman
Gary McCleery
Ludie
Maggie Renzi
Rosaria
Tom Wright
Tom
Michael B. Preston
Ellix (as Michael Preston)
Thomas A. Carlin
Turley
Jenni Cline
Luann
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Keywords
traitorbased on true storywest virginiagun battleracismpreacherdouble crosslabor organizerlabor unioncoal miningworkers union1920scoal minerworker's rightsminers strikemining companyslit throatunion strugglecompany townauthoritarian company
Details
Budget
$4M
Revenue
$2M
TMDb Votes
131
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026