Harlan County U.S.A.
Seen it?1976 | 104 min | Documentary
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 44 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1976: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A heartbreaking record of the thirteen-month struggle between a community fighting to survive and a corporation dedicated to the bottom line.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$20K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 93K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Barbara Kopple
- Norman YarboroughSelf - Eastover Mining President
- Houston ElmoreSelf - UMW Organizer
- Phil SparksSelf - UMW Staff
- Bessie Lou Cornett ParkerSelf
- Sudie CrusenberrySelf
- Mary Lou FergersonSelf
- Basil CollinsSelf - Mine Foreman
- Florence ReeceSelf
- Lois ScottSelf