#334: KOPPLE, Barbara: Harlan County USA (1976)

KOPPLE, Barbara (United States)
Harlan County USA [1976]
Spine #334
DVD


Barbara Kopple's Academy Award-winning Harlan County USA unflinchingly documents a grueling coal miners' strike in a small Kentucky town. With unprecedented access, Kopple and her crew captured the miners' sometimes violent confrontations with strikebreakers, local police, and company thugs. Featuring a haunting soundtrack — with legendary country and bluegrass artists Hazel Dickens, Merle Travis, Sarah Gunning, and Florence Reece — the film is a heartbreaking record of the thirteen-month struggle between a community fighting to survive and a corporation dedicated to the bottom line.

104 minutes
Color/Black & White
Monaural
1:78:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2006
Director


Barbara Kopple was 30 when she directed Harlan County USA.

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twenty-four page booklet featuring essays by film scholar Paul Arthur and music journalist Jon Weiberger.

Commentary

By Kopple and editor Nancy Baker.

The Making of Harlan County USA

A documentary featuring interviews with Kopple, crew members, and strike participants featured in the film.

Video interview 1

With legendary bluegrass singer-songwriter Hazel Dickens.

Never-before-seen

Outtakes from the film.

Video interview 2

With director John Sayles.

Panel discussion

From the 2005 Sundance Film Festival featuring Kopple and Roger Ebert.

Original theatrical trailer


Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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