About Matewan
- Released on August 28, 1987
Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan, a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson and a sympathetic mayor and police chief heroically fight the power represented by a coal company and Matewan's vested interests so that justice and workers' rights need not take a back seat to squalid working conditions, exploitation and the bottom line.
Full Cast of Matewan
Chris Cooper plays Joe Kenehan
James Earl Jones plays 'Few Clothes' Johnson
Mary McDonnell plays Elma Radnor
Will Oldham plays Danny Radnor
David Strathairn plays Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Ken Jenkins plays Sephus Purcell
Kevin Tighe plays Hickey
Gordon Clapp plays Griggs
Bob Gunton plays C.E. Lively
Jace Alexander plays Hilllard Elkins
Joe Grifasi plays Fausto
Nancy Mette plays Bridey Mae Tolliver
Jo Henderson plays Mrs. Elkins
Josh Mostel plays Mayor Cabell Testerman
Gary McCleery plays Ludie
Maggie Renzi plays Rosaria
Tom Wright plays Tom
Michael B. Preston plays Ellix (as Michael Preston)
Thomas A. Carlin plays Turley
Jenni Cline plays Luann
Michael Mantell plays Doolin
J.K. Kent Lilly plays Pappy's Voice (voice)
James Kizer plays Tolbert
Ronnie Stapleton plays Stennis
Davide Ferrario plays Gianni
Frank Payne Jr. plays Old Miner
John Sayles plays Hardshell Preacher
Hazel Dickens plays Singer
Charles Haywood plays Sheb
Neale Clark plays Isaac
Mitch Scott plays Mister
Hazel Pearl plays Missus
Michael Frasher plays Lee Felts
Frank Hoyt Taylor plays Al Felts
Fred Decker plays James
Bill Morris plays Bass
Delmas Lawhorn plays Conductor
William Dean plays Broker
P. Michael Munsey plays Broker
Thomas Hal Phillips plays Boxcar Guard
Stephen C. Hall plays Redneck Miner
Percy Fruit plays Black Miner
Thomas Poore plays Injured Black Miner
Tara Williams plays Miner's Wife
Gerald Milnes plays Fiddler
Mason Daring plays Picker
Jim Costa plays Mandolin Player
Phil Wiggins plays Harmonica Player
Crew of Matewan
Costume & Make-Up
Art
Sound
Crew
Production
Directing
Editing
Camera
Lighting
Writing
- Chris Cooper
- James Earl Jones
- Mary McDonnell
- Will Oldham
- David Strathairn
- Ken Jenkins
- Kevin Tighe
- Gordon Clapp
- Bob Gunton
- Jace Alexander
- Joe Grifasi
- Nancy Mette
- Jo Henderson
- Josh Mostel
- Gary McCleery
- Maggie Renzi
- Tom Wright
- Michael B. Preston
- Thomas A. Carlin
- Jenni Cline
- Michael Mantell
- J.K. Kent Lilly
- James Kizer
- Ronnie Stapleton
- Davide Ferrario
- Frank Payne Jr.
- John Sayles
- Hazel Dickens
- Charles Haywood
- Neale Clark
- Mitch Scott
- Hazel Pearl
- Michael Frasher
- Frank Hoyt Taylor
- Fred Decker
- Bill Morris
- Delmas Lawhorn
- William Dean
- P. Michael Munsey
- Thomas Hal Phillips
- Stephen C. Hall
- Percy Fruit
- Thomas Poore
- Tara Williams
- Gerald Milnes
- Mason Daring
- Jim Costa
- Phil Wiggins
- Peter Falk