Matewan

Matewan


Starring:Jace Alexander, Tom Carlin, Gordon Clapp, Chris Cooper, Joe Grifasi, Bob Gunton, Jo Henderson, Ken Jenkins, James Earl Jones, Gary McCleery, Mary McDonnell, Nancy Mette, Josh Mostel, Will Oldham, Michael B. Preston, Maggie Renzi, David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe, Tom Wright
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
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
Matewan
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 'matewan' and other overlooked masterpeice films
  • A Great Film Ruined By This DVD
  • A Movie that people will learn from
  • Kitt
  • it bears repeating, buyer beware
 Matewan
Starring: Jace Alexander , Tom Carlin , Gordon Clapp , Chris Cooper , and Joe Grifasi
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Clapp, GordonClapp, Gordon | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Cooper, ChrisCooper, Chris | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Grifasi, JoeGrifasi, Joe | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Gunton, BobGunton, Bob | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Jenkins, KenJenkins, Ken | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Jones, James EarlJones, James Earl | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
McDonnell, MaryMcDonnell, Mary | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mostel, JoshMostel, Josh | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Renzi, MaggieRenzi, Maggie | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Strathairn, DavidStrathairn, David | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Tighe, KevinTighe, Kevin | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Wright, TomWright, Tom | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
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Similar Items:
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  2. Lone Star
  3. Harlan County, U.S.A. - Criterion Collection
  4. The Molly Maguires
  5. Limbo

ASIN: B00005Y7R6
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Amazon.com essential video

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:

4 out of 5 stars 'matewan' and other overlooked masterpeice films.......2007-02-22

John Sayles is definitely one of the finest film makers in history (in my humble movie loving opinion) Matewan is brilliantly casted, impeccably acted, and masterfully directed. It is also a stark, realistic and frightening look at the American labor movement in its infancy. I wore the tape out, its great to have the DVD.

2 out of 5 stars A Great Film Ruined By This DVD .......2007-02-17

This is a wonderful film. The story is moving, the performances stellar. I liked learning about this part of American history. But this was a terrible DVD. We had to have the sound on our TV 3/4 of the way up to understand words. Tokoyo 111 was right about the sound being almost MONO. I kept going back to hear things I missed. And as other reviewers have mentioned, the DVD only allows a "full screen" option, so you miss most of the great frames of this film.
I appreciated the opportunity to see this film, but have no idea why Artisan would present it so poorly. My guess is that they don't expect many people to be interested in the film and did as little as possible to clean it up. A very low budget production. Really does a good film injustice.

4 out of 5 stars A Movie that people will learn from.......2007-01-20

I found the movie to be very good. The sole problem is that there is so much information to convey in a short period of time, there had to be some glossing over of the events that transpired.

Being a big issue for the region at the time, the movie captured the feel of the plight of the area so well. If you are looking for more information and in greater depth than the 127 minutes of the film allows, try and find the book "Night Comes to the Cumberlands" by Harry M Caudhill which deals with the plight of the miners.

Having the miners paid by company scrip and the shops (owned by the companies) taking scrip for their goods only was such a cunning move.

4 out of 5 stars Kitt.......2007-01-06

A dark but important story from America's past well told. As a history buff I found this story about the early labor movement very enlightening and was pleased to find out that Hollywood hadn't deviated too far from the real events. I bought it because John Sayles directed it but the movie sells itself.

1 out of 5 stars it bears repeating, buyer beware.......2006-12-19

You will likely be sorely disappointed if you buy this movie in its current version. Tokyo111 had it right, the transfer is awful, and IT'S IN FULL SCREEN ONLY! Great movie, awful product.
Matewan
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 'matewan' and other overlooked masterpeice films
  • A Great Film Ruined By This DVD
  • A Movie that people will learn from
  • Kitt
  • it bears repeating, buyer beware
 Matewan

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
( M )( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
Similar Items:
  1. Norma Rae
  2. Lone Star
  3. Harlan County, U.S.A. - Criterion Collection
  4. The Molly Maguires
  5. Limbo

ASIN: B000068QP0

Amazon.com essential video

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:

4 out of 5 stars 'matewan' and other overlooked masterpeice films.......2007-02-22

John Sayles is definitely one of the finest film makers in history (in my humble movie loving opinion) Matewan is brilliantly casted, impeccably acted, and masterfully directed. It is also a stark, realistic and frightening look at the American labor movement in its infancy. I wore the tape out, its great to have the DVD.

2 out of 5 stars A Great Film Ruined By This DVD .......2007-02-17

This is a wonderful film. The story is moving, the performances stellar. I liked learning about this part of American history. But this was a terrible DVD. We had to have the sound on our TV 3/4 of the way up to understand words. Tokoyo 111 was right about the sound being almost MONO. I kept going back to hear things I missed. And as other reviewers have mentioned, the DVD only allows a "full screen" option, so you miss most of the great frames of this film.
I appreciated the opportunity to see this film, but have no idea why Artisan would present it so poorly. My guess is that they don't expect many people to be interested in the film and did as little as possible to clean it up. A very low budget production. Really does a good film injustice.

4 out of 5 stars A Movie that people will learn from.......2007-01-20

I found the movie to be very good. The sole problem is that there is so much information to convey in a short period of time, there had to be some glossing over of the events that transpired.

Being a big issue for the region at the time, the movie captured the feel of the plight of the area so well. If you are looking for more information and in greater depth than the 127 minutes of the film allows, try and find the book "Night Comes to the Cumberlands" by Harry M Caudhill which deals with the plight of the miners.

Having the miners paid by company scrip and the shops (owned by the companies) taking scrip for their goods only was such a cunning move.

4 out of 5 stars Kitt.......2007-01-06

A dark but important story from America's past well told. As a history buff I found this story about the early labor movement very enlightening and was pleased to find out that Hollywood hadn't deviated too far from the real events. I bought it because John Sayles directed it but the movie sells itself.

1 out of 5 stars it bears repeating, buyer beware.......2006-12-19

You will likely be sorely disappointed if you buy this movie in its current version. Tokyo111 had it right, the transfer is awful, and IT'S IN FULL SCREEN ONLY! Great movie, awful product.
Matewan
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 'matewan' and other overlooked masterpeice films
  • A Great Film Ruined By This DVD
  • A Movie that people will learn from
  • Kitt
  • it bears repeating, buyer beware
 Matewan

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
( M )( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
Similar Items:
  1. Norma Rae
  2. Lone Star
  3. Harlan County, U.S.A. - Criterion Collection
  4. The Molly Maguires
  5. Limbo

ASIN: B00005A3Q5

Amazon.com essential video

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:

4 out of 5 stars 'matewan' and other overlooked masterpeice films.......2007-02-22

John Sayles is definitely one of the finest film makers in history (in my humble movie loving opinion) Matewan is brilliantly casted, impeccably acted, and masterfully directed. It is also a stark, realistic and frightening look at the American labor movement in its infancy. I wore the tape out, its great to have the DVD.

2 out of 5 stars A Great Film Ruined By This DVD .......2007-02-17

This is a wonderful film. The story is moving, the performances stellar. I liked learning about this part of American history. But this was a terrible DVD. We had to have the sound on our TV 3/4 of the way up to understand words. Tokoyo 111 was right about the sound being almost MONO. I kept going back to hear things I missed. And as other reviewers have mentioned, the DVD only allows a "full screen" option, so you miss most of the great frames of this film.
I appreciated the opportunity to see this film, but have no idea why Artisan would present it so poorly. My guess is that they don't expect many people to be interested in the film and did as little as possible to clean it up. A very low budget production. Really does a good film injustice.

4 out of 5 stars A Movie that people will learn from.......2007-01-20

I found the movie to be very good. The sole problem is that there is so much information to convey in a short period of time, there had to be some glossing over of the events that transpired.

Being a big issue for the region at the time, the movie captured the feel of the plight of the area so well. If you are looking for more information and in greater depth than the 127 minutes of the film allows, try and find the book "Night Comes to the Cumberlands" by Harry M Caudhill which deals with the plight of the miners.

Having the miners paid by company scrip and the shops (owned by the companies) taking scrip for their goods only was such a cunning move.

4 out of 5 stars Kitt.......2007-01-06

A dark but important story from America's past well told. As a history buff I found this story about the early labor movement very enlightening and was pleased to find out that Hollywood hadn't deviated too far from the real events. I bought it because John Sayles directed it but the movie sells itself.

1 out of 5 stars it bears repeating, buyer beware.......2006-12-19

You will likely be sorely disappointed if you buy this movie in its current version. Tokyo111 had it right, the transfer is awful, and IT'S IN FULL SCREEN ONLY! Great movie, awful product.

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