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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
211 of 222 people found the following review helpful
By tokyo111
Format:DVD
John Sayles' best film merits a far better DVD treatment than this technical travesty.
Others here have mentioned the film's amazing cinematograhy, fine performances (indierockers note: a young Will Oldham -- aka singer/songwriter Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- has a featured role) and stirring story. But it bears repeating that this digital transfer is *atrocious*. The film is presented in "full-screen" format, lopping off the edges of Haskell Wexler's beautiful frames. Celluloid scratches and "reel change" hole-punches are visible throughout. And the sound, if you can believe it, is worse -- it's in hissy, almost inaudible MONO, for God's sake!
Zero commentaries. Almost no bonus extras, unless you count a few panels of "production notes."
Not worth a purchase. Wait for the morons at Artisan to get their collective act together and give this fine film the gold-star release it deserves.
Others here have mentioned the film's amazing cinematograhy, fine performances (indierockers note: a young Will Oldham -- aka singer/songwriter Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- has a featured role) and stirring story. But it bears repeating that this digital transfer is *atrocious*. The film is presented in "full-screen" format, lopping off the edges of Haskell Wexler's beautiful frames. Celluloid scratches and "reel change" hole-punches are visible throughout. And the sound, if you can believe it, is worse -- it's in hissy, almost inaudible MONO, for God's sake!
Zero commentaries. Almost no bonus extras, unless you count a few panels of "production notes."
Not worth a purchase. Wait for the morons at Artisan to get their collective act together and give this fine film the gold-star release it deserves.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
OK, this is listed as the Widescreen version 1.85:1. Immediately after beginning to watch the movie, it was apparent that this is a bad transfer of the widescreen tape version with the sides cut off. I ordered it for the very reason that it specifically set itself apart from the the version that others were complaining about. Well, I am keeping it because it is a great movie and I doubt I am going to do any better anywhere else, but don't advertise it as widescreen when it IS NOT!!!!!
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
It seems not widely known that this poignant and proud film was shot in Thurmond, WVa., a once booming and now all-but-abandoned coal town absent from many maps, where main street is indeed a railroad track and where a visit today is a step back in time . . . to that very time . . . a time born of coal mines and railroads I was fortunate to visit and photograph with my wife, who's from Huntington, just last summer. Having walked amid the the water tanks, the coal and sand towers . . . the bank and hotel fronts . . . the homes later seen in an earlier time through the movie made this an extremely absorbing film for me. My wife would probably not agree, as such things about the history of West Virginia, where she is visiting again this week, and depictions of its people, like the Okies in "Grapes of Wrath," seem to strike her with a different, harder kind of edge. To me, Thurmond is as wonderful a setting for "Matewan" as Sayles's movie is a palpable depiction of life for men and families struggling powerlessly -- almost -- for each day. The darkened "streets" of Thurmond today, like the blackened miner's face at the film's end, say it all at a glance. See it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
Love this movie, it tells a very interesting story to me as I am distantly related through marrage to Sid Hatfield. Love the acting and directing.
Published 1 month ago by dennis warner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
I purchased this as a gift for my husband. I haven't seen the movie yet but he says it was great.
Published 2 months ago by Deborah Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
John Sayles does it again!
This is a great historical perspective on our fossil fuel/coal industry and how the coal companies will do anything to anyone to make all the profit they can. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lisa Viviano
5.0 out of 5 stars
A moving story, expertly told
This is one of those films where everyone got it right. The story of powerful business interests abusing their power to subjugate workers resonates especially today and therefore... Read more
Published 2 months ago by K. J. Maltz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Matewan
Very Good Movie,, liked it,,, loaned it to family,, they liked it as well,, will buy more ,, the price was right,, quality of movie was good,
Published 3 months ago by Robert DePew
5.0 out of 5 stars
great movies and purchase experience
the movie arrived on time and worked great. no issues. the storyline was interesting and kept me watching for what happened next.
Published 3 months ago by Kennith C Dimond
4.0 out of 5 stars
Local Boys Make Good
I live in Virginia, not too far from where this movie was filmed and I was advised to see the film by a friend. It was good advice. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Drew E
1.0 out of 5 stars
very bad copy
I loved the movie and wanted to buy it...I received a such very bad copy., quality was so bad that it was distracting trying to watch
Published 5 months ago by iamkjo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant classic movie by Jonathan Sayles - buy one for your local...
I'm sure there are ample reviews praising this amazing film about the labor wars in the Appalachian mine fields of the early 1920's (staring James Earle Jones, David Strathrairn... Read more
Published 7 months ago by G. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
rSs
Grew up close to this area and find anything which deals with it quite interesting. It is a shame to see all the hard work done by the people who fought and died to make a better... Read more
Published 7 months ago by RSS NOVA
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