The movie Matewan, released in 1987, was directed by John Sayles and inspired by the real-life events of the Battle of Matewan, a pivotal moment in the history of labor organizing in the United States. The film tells the story of a group of coal miners in Matewan, West Virginia, who go on strike to demand better wages and working conditions.
Joe Kenehan, a union organizer from the North, arrives in Matewan to help the miners with their cause. He quickly becomes friends with some of the miners, including a young man named Danny Radnor who is part of a multiracial crew of miners. However, Kenehan also faces opposition from the coal company and its agents, who are determined to crush the strike by any means necessary.
One agent, named "Few Clothes" Johnson, is a former miner who has turned traitor and is working for the coal company as a spy and enforcer. He tries to sabotage the strike and stir up racial tensions among the miners. Meanwhile, the local mayor and police chief try to maintain order and protect the citizens of Matewan from violence and intimidation.
The tension between the miners and the coal company escalates into a violent confrontation, culminating in a gun battle on the streets of Matewan. Many lives are lost, including Kenehan's, but the strike ultimately succeeds in securing some concessions from the coal company and improving the lives of the miners.
Matewan is widely regarded as a powerful and moving film that captures the spirit of solidarity and resistance among working-class Americans. It explores themes of race, class, and community in a historical context that has resonance for contemporary labor struggles. The film features outstanding performances by a talented cast, including Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, and David Strathairn.