Harlan County, USA Movie

[DjBryan]

Harlan County, USA is a 1976 Academy Award winning documentary film covering the efforts of 180 coal miners, against the Duke Power Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in 1973.

I just saw this movie today, without getting political, my lord, what an story, even though this movie is from many years ago, It really is a moving piece.


Documentary of a Coal town and a a Major Company. I was glued to the tv. Hard to imagine. If you get a chance to see this on IFC, please do. I would link the wiki page but it gets political.

Has anyone seen this??? Colin?

[deem]

This movie wasn't released on DVD until just a couple years ago. As soon as it made it to DVD I rented it from Netflix, as I'd read somewhere that it was a really great movie and I had some knowledge and interest in the subject, having grown up in West Virginia.

I certainly wasn't disappointed. I remember enthusiastically recommending it the very next day to a film-buff friend of mine. As I told him: "Ben, aside from the Up movies that Michael Apted did, this is possibly the best documentary I've ever seen." He knew that's not the sort of thing that I would say lightly.

[DjBryan]

This movie wasn't released on DVD until just a couple years ago. As soon as it made it to DVD I rented it from Netflix, as I'd read somewhere that it was a really great movie and I had some knowledge and interest in the subject, having grown up in West Virginia.

I certainly wasn't disappointed. I remember enthusiastically recommending it the very next day to a film-buff friend of mine. As I told him: "Ben, aside from the Up movies that Michael Apted did, this is possibly the best documentary I've ever seen." He knew that's not the sort of thing that I would say lightly.

Really made me think, powerful movie, almost effects you like taking a pill.

[JamieC]

For a historical perspective on West Virginia coal mining check out John Sayles "Matewan".

[El Bacho]

Is this the movie that teaches how to cook a rabbit?

Very moving documentary...

[Cheepnik]

Harlan County is an amazing movie, as is American Dream, a later documentary by the same woman (Barbara Kopple) that depicted the union struggle at the Hormel plant here in Minnesota during the 1980s. There isn't anything that will tear a "company town" apart quicker than a battle between labor and management.

[minerwerks]

Is this the movie that teaches how to cook a rabbit?Is there something like that in 'Harlan County'? When you said rabbit, it made me think of 'Roger & Me,' which had the notorious scene of the woman who killed and skinned a rabbit on camera. Interestingly enough, a directors podcast I listen to paired up Barbara Kopple and Michael Moore on one episode, so it would be interesting if there was also this small subtle connection between their work.

[deem]

Is there something like that in 'Harlan County'? When you said rabbit, it made me think of 'Roger & Me,' which had the notorious scene of the woman who killed and skinned a rabbit on camera. Interestingly enough, a directors podcast I listen to paired up Barbara Kopple and Michael Moore on one episode, so it would be interesting if there was also this small subtle connection between their work.

- I saw the sign down the street that said you're selling rabbits and bunnies here.
- You want pets or meat?

[stumpy]

As much as it first appears as an in-your-face portrait of rural Appalachia, it soon moves into the company vs. worker realm and the "good" that unions brought to man-killer jobs. It may be interesting to know that I was recently told that in Kentucky at least, all the coal mines are now NON-union. I've been meaning to do a little research to find out why.

[Frodis]

Is there something like that in 'Harlan County'? When you said rabbit, it made me think of 'Roger & Me,' which had the notorious scene of the woman who killed and skinned a rabbit on camera. Interestingly enough, a directors podcast I listen to paired up Barbara Kopple and Michael Moore on one episode, so it would be interesting if there was also this small subtle connection between their work.

Which you're getting into my hometown with that flick. :sigh:
I spent the whole movie looking in the background shots for someone I knew.

[JamieC]

As much as it first appears as an in-your-face portrait of rural Appalachia, it soon moves into the company vs. worker realm and the "good" that unions brought to man-killer jobs. It may be interesting to know that I was recently told that in Kentucky at least, all the coal mines are now NON-union. I've been meaning to do a little research to find out why.

I'll have to ask my Kentucky United Mine Workers of America friends about this. Trust me, that statement is inaccurate.

[DjBryan]

If we could, just asking, can we keep this more towards the movie please,? I would like others to check this out. Thanks for being a part of this thread.

[JamieC]

Ok hows this.
Harlan County USA is a documentary concerning union and company conflicts in the coal fields of Harlan County, Kentucky. As a subplot there is a simultaneous fight for the union leadership, which proves just as dangerous as the main battle. Culminating in the infamous murder of a union leader. A strike in the Kentucky/West Virginia coal towns is something that most urban dwellers(including union members) cannot imagine. Very Scary.
The film steps into this pressure cooker somewhat neutrally(narration is limited), and you come to the story as it unfolds. Literally a historic series of events unfolds before your eyes. A caveat is that the picture is a bit gritty as many scenes are shot at night, in shadows(lots of trees), and indoors at crowded meetings and such. Possibly shot on 16mm, not video tape sharp but astonishing non the less.
This is the template that Micheal Moore should aspire to.

[stumpy]

JamieC - Please check with your union friends in Kentucky. I suppose a union could still exist with as little a one union mine. My sources are merely a number of families around the Pikeville area who used to be mine workers. They're currently dying from black lung disease. I suppose they may have exaggerated the "union" situation a little.

[JamieC]

My deepest sympathies to your friends around Pikeville. I know first hand what they are going through. I could get into the politics of Kentucky vis-a-vis unions but a gort would probably close the thread. I still stand by my statement that Kentucky is NOT completely non union. I did quite a bit of research on the UMWA in WV and Kentucky going back to the turn of the last century for a project I was writing.

[Sneaky Pete]

I was born in WVA very close to Matewan. I love the film Harlen County USA, it depicts the sense of community found among miners. It shows a dark side to the management labor conflict as well. Labor Unions have been made largely irrelevent through globalization and right to work laws, but the film shows that until the end miners fought the "good fight."

I had a great Uncle that died from empheseyma. He was a miner and I remember going to visit him. He was at home in an oxygen tent. Spending his days in a dark mines he had spent his free time growing the most spectacular flower gardens on his little property. In the end he could not even go outside to see the flowers. WVA is the only place I've ever been where a truck comes around and delivers oxygen tanks, instead of milk bottles.

Everyone should see this film regardless of their opinions about Unions. I have seen it many times and it never loses its impact. First rate documentary film making.:righton: