Depicting the violent strike by the miners in Harlan County, Kentucky in 1973, this documentary shows the unfair treatment the workers received by a leadership that underestimated the strength in numbers and their unity to fight for what they believed in.
The film makers of this project really had to protect their equipment and lives because the events that ensued were life threatening.
One of the things this documentary did really well was establish the environment and atmosphere of the area followed by explaining what had been going on how the strike started. It does not focus on just the miners but in fact shows how the incidents effected their families, their spouses and children, and in the process shows true unity.
Cinematography for this film must have been an interesting challenge because none of this was probably staged. So any action that was captured and showed had to be courtesy of the camera operators and their awareness of their surroundings.
Another thing this documentary does really well is present women in a strong way. The women, who were either miners or wives of miners, were very instrumental and supportive in fighting for their rights and their husbands' rights. It does not show women as weak and feeble but in fact shows them to be strong, mentally and physically.
The documentary ends on a strong and positive note, with the miners receiving better contracts and getting their jobs back.
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