Harlan County U.S.A.
1976 · Movie · PG · 105 min · ★ 7.5 · 90% critics
This documentary tracks coal miners’ strike in 1973 Kentucky after a mine operator refused to sign a contract, despite the miners joining the United Mine Workers of America. The fight stretches over a year and features escalating violence alongside the ongoing resolve of the miners and their supportive families.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max, YouTube TV and The Criterion Channel — or rent from $5.99.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1976
- Release date
- 1977-01-23
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Critic score
- 90/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.5/10 (115 votes)
About
You’ll likely like this if you want a hard-hitting labor struggle documentary with raw, local stakes and persistent tension; Not for you if violence and intense hardship disturb you, or if you prefer lighter docs like The Last Waltz.
Pros: powerful labor history; gritty real-life tension; strong community focus | Cons: very intense violence; politically one-sided feel; bleak atmosphere
Themes
- strike
- kentucky
- mining
- working class
- union
- labor
- labor union
- woman director
- miners strike
- black lung
- united mine workers
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Cast & crew
- NY
Norman Yarborough
as Self - Eastover Mining President
- HE
Houston Elmore
as Self - UMW Organizer
- PS
Phil Sparks
as Self - UMW Staff
- BP
Bessie Lou Cornett Parker
as Self
- SC
Sudie Crusenberry
as Self
- MF
Mary Lou Fergerson
as Self
- BC
Basil Collins
as Self - Mine Foreman
- FR
Florence Reece
as Self
- LS
Lois Scott
as Self
Directed by Barbara Kopple