A movie that stood up against the exploitation of workers, racism, and sexism, making it a triple threat for me. The fact that it did this in 1954 during the McCarthy years and had those extra layers of Hispanic and Women's rights decades ahead of their time is extraordinary. The filmmakers had already been blacklisted, the leading lady (Rosaura Revueltas) was deported soon afterwards, and the film itself denounced by Congress and blacklisted, meaning it was hardly seen in America until 1965. Talk about an incendiary, "dangerous" film in a country that prides itself on the freedom of expression and equal rights under the law.
Unfortunately the film is mired in low production quality and wooden acting, which made it tough to fully appreciate nearly 70 years later. It maneuvers to push its messages with all the subtly of a bull in a china shop. If those things make it a tough go early on, stick with it, as it gets more interesting when the women take a more active role.
The film is often criticized for being too black/white in its characterization but I didn't see that as the issue, after all, the Hispanic working men are shown as resisting the involvement of women and their rights, a pretty interesting and nuanced dynamic. Meanwhile, while the owners and police do some awful things, they are not nearly as vicious as real responses to unions striking (see the documentary Harlan County, USA (1976)). It's actually pretty restrained in showing us the struggle of blue-collar minority workers trying to get equal pay, a living wage, and work in safe conditions. The script is an interesting mix of heavy-handed political messages, awkward dialogue, and occasional gems. Some quotes:
"I heard you ask your wife (motioning to a portrait on the wall), 'Who's that? His grandfather?' That's Juarez, the father of Mexico. If I wouldn't know a picture of George Washington, you would say I'm an awful dumb Mexican."
"They don't work alone in other mines. Anglos work in pairs. So why should I risk my life? Because I'm a Mexican?"
"'No money down. Easy term payments.' I tell you something: this installment plan, it's the curse of the working man!"
"He says give them (women) equality. Equality in jobs, equality in home, and also - sex equality." "What do you mean, sex equality?" "You know - lo que bueno para el hombre, es bueno para la mujer." (what is good for men is good for women - which I believe was referencing an orgasm).
Unfortunately the film is mired in low production quality and wooden acting, which made it tough to fully appreciate nearly 70 years later. It maneuvers to push its messages with all the subtly of a bull in a china shop. If those things make it a tough go early on, stick with it, as it gets more interesting when the women take a more active role.
The film is often criticized for being too black/white in its characterization but I didn't see that as the issue, after all, the Hispanic working men are shown as resisting the involvement of women and their rights, a pretty interesting and nuanced dynamic. Meanwhile, while the owners and police do some awful things, they are not nearly as vicious as real responses to unions striking (see the documentary Harlan County, USA (1976)). It's actually pretty restrained in showing us the struggle of blue-collar minority workers trying to get equal pay, a living wage, and work in safe conditions. The script is an interesting mix of heavy-handed political messages, awkward dialogue, and occasional gems. Some quotes:
"I heard you ask your wife (motioning to a portrait on the wall), 'Who's that? His grandfather?' That's Juarez, the father of Mexico. If I wouldn't know a picture of George Washington, you would say I'm an awful dumb Mexican."
"They don't work alone in other mines. Anglos work in pairs. So why should I risk my life? Because I'm a Mexican?"
"'No money down. Easy term payments.' I tell you something: this installment plan, it's the curse of the working man!"
"He says give them (women) equality. Equality in jobs, equality in home, and also - sex equality." "What do you mean, sex equality?" "You know - lo que bueno para el hombre, es bueno para la mujer." (what is good for men is good for women - which I believe was referencing an orgasm).