Salt of the Earth (1954) [Limited Edition Blu-ray review]

Salt of the Earth, the controversial 1954 labor drama directed by Herbert J. Biberman, is a film that occupies a unique and essential place in the history of American cinema. Produced independently by a group of blacklisted Hollywood professionals and Mexican-American miners, the film faced enormous obstacles and opposition during its production and initial release, but has since been recognized as a groundbreaking work of social realism and a powerful portrait of the struggle for workers’ rights and racial equality.

Now, thanks to a stunning new Blu-ray release from Film Masters, this once-suppressed masterpiece can finally be seen and appreciated by a new generation of film lovers, in a transfer that captures all the grit, passion, and raw emotional power of its unforgettable story and performances.

Salt of the Earth was controversial

The film, which was written by Michael Wilson and produced by Paul Jarrico, tells the story of a long and difficult strike by Mexican-American zinc miners in New Mexico, who are fighting for better working conditions, higher wages, and an end to the racist discrimination they face from their Anglo bosses. The story centers on Ramon Quintero (Juan Chacón), a miner and family man who becomes a leader in the strike, and his wife Esperanza (Rosaura Revueltas), who becomes increasingly involved in the struggle as the conflict drags on.

As the strike intensifies and the miners face increasing violence and intimidation from the bosses and their hired thugs, Ramon and Esperanza’s relationship is tested, as they grapple with issues of gender roles, family responsibilities, and the competing demands of the union and their personal lives. At the same time, Salt of the Earth also explores the wider social and political context of the strike, from the miners’ alliance with Anglo union organizers to the role of the women in the community, who become increasingly active in the struggle as the men are jailed or driven from their homes.

Quite an early entry in Mexican American cinema

Shot on location in New Mexico with a cast that included both professional actors and real-life miners and their families, Salt of the Earth is a film of rare authenticity and power, a work of art that blurs the line between fiction and documentary in its depiction of the struggles and triumphs of working-class people.

From its opening scenes, which depict the brutal conditions in the mines and the casual racism of the bosses, to its unforgettable climax, in which the women of the community take over the picket line and face down the armed guards, Salt of the Earth is a masterclass in social realism, a work that manages to be both politically urgent and emotionally resonant at the same time.

Central to the Salt of the Earth’s power are the performances of its cast, many of whom were non-professional actors drawn from the ranks of the miners and their families.

Juan Chacón, who plays Ramon, was a real-life union leader and miner who brings a sense of lived experience and authenticity to his role, imbuing Ramon with a quiet dignity and strength that is truly inspiring. Rosaura Revueltas, meanwhile, is a revelation as Esperanza, a woman who undergoes a profound transformation over the course of the film, from a shy and submissive housewife to a fierce and determined activist who becomes the heart and soul of the struggle.

The rest of the cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from Will Geer as the sympathetic Anglo union organizer, David Wolfe as the cruel and racist sheriff, and Mervin Williams as the conflicted mine owner who becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid as the strike drags on. Together, they create a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a community in crisis, a group of people who are pushed to the brink by the injustices they face but who ultimately find the strength and solidarity to fight back and demand their rights.

The movie is really one of a kind

But Salt of the Earth is more than just a powerful story and a showcase for its talented cast. It is also a film of rare visual beauty and artistic integrity, a work that combines the gritty realism of documentaries like The Plow That Broke the Plains with the poetic lyricism of the best of the Italian neorealist movement. The film’s cinematography, by Leonard Stark and Stanley Meredith, is a marvel, capturing the harsh beauty of the New Mexico landscape and the claustrophobic interiors of the mines and the workers’ homes with equal skill and sensitivity.

The film’s editing, by Joan Laird and Herbert J. Biberman, is equally impressive, using a variety of techniques, from montage to cross-cutting to dramatic close-ups, to create a sense of urgency and emotional intensity that never lets up. And Salt of the Earth’s score, by Sol Kaplan, is a masterpiece of its kind, using a mix of traditional Mexican folk music and original compositions to create a haunting and evocative soundscape that perfectly captures the mood and tone of the story.

Talking about the Blu-ray

All of these elements come together in Film Masters’ new Blu-ray release, which presents the film in a stunning restoration that captures much of the detail and nuance of its visual and aural design. The transfer is quite strong, with solid contrast, good detail, and a pleasing grayscale that does justice to the film’s naturalistic cinematography. The audio, presented in an uncompressed monaural track, is also very good, with clear, well-balanced dialogue and music that never feels overly compressed or artificial.

While not as packed as a film of such historical importance should be, you do get a hefty amount of special features. There’s a commentary featuring C. Courtney Joyner, Mark Legan and Pheof Sutton. Plus, you get some liner notes. All and all, it’s better than having nothing.

It just makes me wonder if it would make sense to bundle Salt of the Earth with other underseen films of historical importance. But, maybe I ask too much.

It still holds up

Indeed, watching Salt of the Earth today, it’s impossible not to be struck by how timely and urgent its story and themes remain. In an era of rising inequality, declining union membership, and renewed attacks on workers’ rights and civil liberties, the film’s portrait of a community coming together to demand justice and dignity feels more relevant than ever.

And in a time when issues of race, gender, and class continue to divide and polarize our society, Salt of the Earth’s vision of solidarity and collective action offers a powerful and inspiring example of what is possible when people come together to fight for a common cause.

Of course, it’s important to acknowledge that Salt of the Earth is not a perfect film, and that some of its politics and attitudes may feel dated or simplistic to modern viewers. The film’s portrayal of gender roles, in particular, can feel a bit essentialist at times, with the women of the community often relegated to supporting roles or depicted as symbols of nurturing and domesticity. And the film’s treatment of race, while groundbreaking for its time, may not always hold up to the more nuanced and intersectional analyses of contemporary social justice movements.

Final thoughts

But these limitations do not diminish the film’s power or importance, nor do they detract from its enduring legacy as a work of art and activism. Salt of the Earth remains a vital and essential document of a pivotal moment in American history, a time when the forces of labor and civil rights were coming together to challenge the entrenched power structures of capitalism and white supremacy.

And it remains a powerful and inspiring example of what can happen when artists and activists come together to tell stories that matter, stories that speak truth to power and give voice to the struggles and dreams of ordinary people.

In the end, that is perhaps the greatest legacy of Salt of the Earth, and the reason why it continues to resonate with audiences more than six decades after its initial release. It is a film that reminds us of the power of art to change hearts and minds, to inspire us to action and to imagine a better world. And it is a film that challenges us to continue the fight for justice and equality, to stand up for the rights of workers and the oppressed, and to never give up on the dream of a society that values the dignity and humanity of all its members.

For that reason, Salt of the Earth is more than just a great film, more than just a groundbreaking work of social realism and political activism. It is a call to action, a demand for change, and a reminder of the enduring power of solidarity and collective struggle. And thanks to Film Masters’ admirable new Blu-ray release, it is a film that will continue to inspire and challenge viewers for generations to come.

Salt of the Earth is now available on Blu-ray at Movie Zyng and other outlets

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