THE PLOT THUS FAR
An epic labor strike that devastated Michigan’s Copper Country in 1913 haunts the American labor movement to this day. Among the notable elements of that strike was the death of 73 children at a union Christmas party, a tragedy immortalized by Woody Guthrie in his ballad “1913 Massacre,” performed in the film by Steve Earle. The event remains the deadliest unsolved manslaughter in U.S. history.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Red Metal: The Copper Country Strike of 1913″ is a look at how Big Business has never stopped trying to murder the working class for decades now. A harsh eye is placed on the repercussions that early labor organizers felt from industries that didn’t believe they had to support their human laborers. I would appreciate a much grander series about all of the atrocities that American business has committed against the country’s working class. But, that series would last longer than “The Simpsons”.
The material is just amazing. Steve Earle shows up, we get a comprehensive history and there are connections to the struggles of today all in under an hour. Material like this isn’t for everyone, so I don’t expect to see a ton of readers breaking their ass to pick this up. However, it’s important to take a look at our not-too-distant past and see that the world is still a fouled up place beset by great inequity. It’s only through understanding and rising up a joined people that we can begin to cast off the shackles of oppression and begin a trek towards something better.
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is strong with a supportive transfer and a Dolby audio track. The Dolby track doesn’t get much back channel action. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans of documentaries about the American working class.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!