Harlan County U.S.A. 47 years old

Which Side Are You On?

Harlan County U.S.A.

This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastovers refusal to sign a contract (when the miners joined with the United Mine Workers of America) led to the strike, which lasted more than a year and included violent battles between gun-toting company thugs/scabs and the picketing miners and their supportive women-folk. Director Barbara Kopple puts the strike into perspective by giving us some background on the historical plight of the miners and some history of the UMWA.

Credits

Harlan County U.S.A. Cast

Name Character
Florence Reece She was 76, 86 years old when she died as Herself
Mary Lou Fergerson as Herself
Houston Elmore as Himself - UMW organizer
Bessie Lou Cornett as Herself
Sudie Crusenberry as Herself
Norman Yarborough as Himself - Eastover Mining President
Basil Collins He was 85, 54 years old when he died as Himself - mine foreman
Phil Sparks as Himself - UMW staff
Lois Scott as Herself

Harlan County U.S.A. Crew

Name Department
Nancy Baker as Editor. Editing
Kevin Keating as Director of Photography. Camera
Rip Torn as Thanks. He was 45 (88) years old when He died Crew
Hart Perry as Director of Photography. Camera
Barbara Kopple as Director. She was 30 (now 77) years old Directing
Barbara Kopple as Producer. She was 30 (now 77) years old Production
Barbara Kopple as Sound Recordist. She was 30 (now 77) years old Sound
Merle Travis as Original Music Composer. He was 58 (65) years old when He died Sound
Mirra Bank as Editor. Editing
Mary Lampson as Editor. Editing
Hazel Dickens as Original Music Composer. She was 41 (75) years old when She died Sound
Lora Hays as Editor. Editing
Joshua Waletzky as Sound Editor. Sound
Harlan County U.S.A. poster
Harlan County U.S.A. (47 years)

Which Side Are You On?

  • Release day: Sunday, January 23, 1977
  • Runtime: 103 minutes