Harlan County USA
Harlan County U.S.A.
United States • 1976
Director
#334Criterion Collection →Synopsis
This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastover's refusal to sign a contract (when the miners joined with the United Mine Workers of America) led to the strike, which lasted more than a year and included violent battles between gun-toting company thugs/scabs and the picketing miners and their supportive women-folk. Director Barbara Kopple puts the strike into perspective by giving us some background on the historical plight of the miners and some history of the UMWA. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2004.
Synopsis
This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastover's refusal to sign a contract (when the miners joined with the United Mine Workers of America) led to the strike, which lasted more than a year and included violent battles between gun-toting company thugs/scabs and the picketing miners and their supportive women-folk. Director Barbara Kopple puts the strike into perspective by giving us some background on the historical plight of the miners and some history of the UMWA. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2004.
Criterion Closet Picks
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Credits
Crew
DirectorBarbara Kopple
CinematographerHart Perry, Kevin Keating
ComposerHazel Dickens, Merle Travis
EditorNancy Baker, Mirra Bank, Lora Hays, Mary Lampson
ProducerBarbara Kopple
Cast
Norman Yarboroughas Self - Eastover Mining President
Houston Elmoreas Self - UMW Organizer
