Review of Salt of the Earth (1954) by Bob M — 10 Jul 2007
When long-time film critic Philip French of The Observor published a list in the summer of 2006 of 50 lost film classics Salt of the Earth was number one. In late 1947, the blacklist of "communist sympathizers" was initiated by the studios and no one on that list could be hired.
A group of great artists on the no-hire list formed their own production company and in 1953 filmed the true story of a zinc miners strike in N.M. in 1950 which was extended by Mexican-American women hitting the picket lines after men were banned from striking.
Everyone involved in filming including the crew was on the blacklist, or an activist. The film was only allowed access on 12 screens in the USA, as it was denounced by the FBI as sympathetic to socialism.
The film, directed by Herbert Biberman - one of the Hollywood Ten - was not widely seen until the 1960's. It's a rare treat and apparently now out on DVD.
This review of Salt of the Earth (1954) was written by Bob M on 10 Jul 2007.
Salt of the Earth has generally received very positive reviews.
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