Matewan (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Matewan is a 1987 historical drama directed by John Sayles, starring David Strathairn, Bob Gunton and Chris Cooper. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $1.7 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 15m (135 min)
- Director
- John Sayles
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Cinecom Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Matewan About?
The premise of Matewan without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During the 1920s in West Virginia, tensions rise in the coal mining region as workers struggle against oppressive conditions and corporate greed. A determined labor organizer, Joe Kenehan, finds himself working alongside Few Clothes Johnson, a complex figure with his own motivations, and uniting with Matewan's supportive mayor and police chief. Together, they confront the powerful coal company and fight for justice and improved working rights, leading to a dramatic clash with significant consequences for the community.
Matewan Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- company town
- 1920s
- west virginia
- labor activist
- ensemble cast
- national film registry
- coal miner
- labor union
- labor dispute
- labor relations
- labor movement
- coal mining
+38 more Show fewer
- world war one veteran
- small town
- shootout
- sermon
- police chief
- labor strike
- eviction
- coal mine
- boy minister
- racism
- appalachia
- based on true story
- independent film
- holster
- double gun holster
- shoulder holster
- social commentary
- class struggle
- forced confession
- starvation
- private detective
- narration
- coal wars
- hired gun
- two gun holster
- told in flashback
- baptist church
- funeral
- mandolin
- baptist
- forest
- cemetery
- tent
- hunting
- singing
- revolver
- playing catch
- mining company
Where to Watch Matewan
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Matewan Cast
David Strathairn leads the cast, with Bob Gunton and Chris Cooper. Directed by John Sayles; 9 actors are credited in all.
-
Director John Sayles
Also Starring in Matewan
· 5 moreMatewan Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Matewan 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.
-
IMDb 7.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 93%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 73 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB
Matewan Plot Summary
What happens in Matewan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
This film delves into the lives of miners in Mingo County, West Virginia, specifically focusing on their struggles in the coal mine near the town of Matewan (pronounced MAY-TWAN). The narrative is introduced by a young boy named Danny, who reflects on a turbulent period in Matewan’s history. Central to the story is Joe Kenehan, a labor organizer known for his strong beliefs—he even labels himself a “Red.” Kenehan arrives in the town just as black and Italian replacement workers, referred to as “scabs,” are brought in to undermine the striking coal miners who are increasingly frustrated with the mining corporation’s unfair manipulation of coal prices—initially set at just 90 cents per ton.
Full summary
The whole story of Matewan, scene by scene
Matewan Box Office
Matewan grossed $1.7 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.7M
- US & Canada
- $1.7M
Matewan Awards & Nominations
Matewan won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 1988, with 1 win from 5 nominations.
1 win6 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 1988 1 win · 5 nominations- Won Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best Director – John Sayles
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Screenplay
- Nominated Best Supporting Male – James Earl Jones and David Strathairn
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Oscars 1988 1 nomination- Nominated Cinematography
Matewan Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Matewan.
How Well Do You Know Matewan?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the primary setting of the movie Matewan?
Cars in Matewan
2 cars on screen: the Studebaker unknown and the unknown.
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Studebaker unknown Important role -
unknown Background role
Matewan Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “メイトワン1920” and “Matewan - kuoleman kaivos”.
- Also known as
-
- メイトワン1920
- Matewan - kuoleman kaivos
- Ματωμένη Αμερική
- Matewan - A Luta Final
- עבודה שחורה
- Мейтвон
- Мейтаун
- 怒火战线
- Свидетель
- メイトワン-1920
- 메이트완
- W szachu
+2 more Show fewer
- Azok a véres napok
- Matewan-massakren
Seen Matewan?
Movies Like Matewan
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Them That Work, Harlan County War and How Green Was My Valley.
Matewan FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Matewan, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Matewan?
Matewan runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).
When was Matewan released?
Matewan was released on August 28, 1987.
Who directed Matewan?
Matewan was directed by John Sayles.
More films by John Sayles Who is in the cast of Matewan?
Matewan stars David Strathairn, Bob Gunton and Chris Cooper, among 9 credited actors.
Where can I watch Matewan?
In the US, Matewan is streaming on Amazon Prime Video (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Matewan make at the box office?
Matewan grossed $1.7 million worldwide.
How is Matewan rated?
Matewan has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
What awards did Matewan win?
Matewan won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 1988.
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