Harlan County, USA_
"Which Side Are You On?"
This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastover's 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. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2004.
Starring
Norman Yarborough, Houston Elmore, Phil Sparks
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
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1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Cast
Norman Yarborough stars as Self - Eastover Mining President in Harlan County, USA.
Norman Yarborough →
Year context
Harlan County, USA was released 49 years ago in 1977.
Overview
This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastover's re...
Harlan County, USA is a Documentary film with a runtime of 1h 45m.
CAST (9)
NY
Norman Yarborough
Self - Eastover Mining President
HE
Houston Elmore
Self - UMW Organizer
PS
Phil Sparks
Self - UMW Staff
BL
Bessie Lou Cornett Parker
Self
SC
Sudie Crusenberry
Self
ML
Mary Lou Fergerson
Self
BC
Basil Collins
Self - Mine Foreman
FR
Florence Reece
Self
LS
Lois Scott
Self
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Harlan County, USA about?
This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastover's 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. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2004.
How long is Harlan County, USA?
Harlan County, USA has a runtime of 105 minutes (1h 45m).
Who stars in Harlan County, USA?
The cast of Harlan County, USA includes Norman Yarborough, Houston Elmore, Phil Sparks, Bessie Lou Cornett Parker, Sudie Crusenberry.
What is the rating of Harlan County, USA?
Harlan County, USA has a rating of 7.5 out of 10 based on 110 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Documentary