Review of Salt of the Earth (1954) by Nate W — 28 Apr 2010
"Salt of the Earth" is an impassioned account of a Mexican zinc miners union striking for equality with Anglo miners in 1950s New Mexico. United, they stand against the powers that be, even when they're starved, beaten, and thrown in jail on phony charges.
The film's political motivations are pretty easy to pick up on, especially considering that its director, writer, producer, and composer had all been blacklisted as suspected communists. Skeptics may find it convenient to write the film off as a piece of leftist propaganda (which it certainly is), but that would be undervaluing the power of the film.
It makes a strong case for the strength of the community, but perhaps a more striking theme than its obvious communist subtext is the highly feminist attitude it conveys; When the men are threatened with arrest if they continue to strike, the women take up the picket line, forcing a complete role reversal between the sexes, an idea that was well ahead of its time in 1954.
This review of Salt of the Earth (1954) was written by Nate W on 28 Apr 2010.
Salt of the Earth has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
