Review of Harlan County U.S.A. (1977) by Tonypolito — 14 Aug 2010

Criterion quality has never been better invested by restoring this extraordinarily intimate and moving documentary of working men risking their lives to demand that an Appalachian coal company improve the sub-human, squalid working/living conditions that surround its mine.

First struck by the backward and ignorant nature of these mountain folk, the viewer then steadily heroizes and admires them. Yields them full respect due, for having enough courage, more courage than found in most 'civilized' people today, to stand up to the company's machine guns and henchmen - to demand their right to unionize into a living wage, into shanty-towns that have running water, and into medical benefits that actually pay to treat their lung diseases.

Outright corporate murder doesn't appear on film, only because the company's 'gun-thugs' wish to avoid it 'in living color.' But gun-cocking is seen/heard a-plenty. And a glimpse of splattered brains as well. Thug-capo Basil Collins emerges as one of cinema's all-time despicable villains.

The authentic country/bluegrass soundtrack - revealing the truest, uncompromised roots of the genre - co-stars. Potential viewers might think they would not enjoy such music, but with their sad, depressing lyrics fully evidenced by on-screen events, these songs become deep, rich listening.

My teenage years during this time-frame were spent living no more than two hours from the coal towns of West Virginia & Southwestern Virginia - and I often heard stories of the strikes and shoot-outs, stories of the miners who then struck me as simply too ignorant to just leave. This film made me ashamed I had so easily forgotten such sadness and injustice. Now, as American workers are ever more victimized by the money elite, this film is still amazingly relevant.

RECOMMENDATION: An outstanding documentary that stands the test of time.