Harlan County U.S.A. Backdrop Blur
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Harlan County U.S.A.

"Which Side Are You On?"

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.

Top Cast

  • Norman Yarborough

    Norman Yarborough

    Self - Eastover Mining President

  • Houston Elmore

    Houston Elmore

    Self - UMW Organizer

  • Phil Sparks

    Phil Sparks

    Self - UMW Staff

  • Bessie Lou Cornett Parker

    Bessie Lou Cornett Parker

    Self

  • Sudie Crusenberry

    Sudie Crusenberry

    Self

  • Mary Lou Fergerson

    Mary Lou Fergerson

    Self

  • Basil Collins

    Basil Collins

    Self - Mine Foreman

  • Florence Reece

    Florence Reece

    Self

  • Lois Scott

    Lois Scott

    Self

Overview

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.

Rating

7.5 / 10
115 Reviews
1 Popular

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