Harlan County U.S.A. (1976)

  • PG
  • 10/15/1976 (US)
  • Documentary
  • 1h 43m

Which Side Are You On?

Overview

This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastovers 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.

Barbara Kopple

Director

Cast

Norman Yarborough's headshot

Norman Yarborough

Self - Eastover Mining President
Houston Elmore's headshot

Houston Elmore

Self - UMW Organizer
Phil Sparks's headshot

Phil Sparks

Self - UMW Staff
Bessie Lou Cornett Parker's headshot

Bessie Lou Cornett Parker

Self
Sudie Crusenberry's headshot

Sudie Crusenberry

Self
Mary Lou Fergerson's headshot

Mary Lou Fergerson

Self
Basil Collins's headshot

Basil Collins

Self - Mine Foreman
Florence Reece's headshot

Florence Reece

Self

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