Top 10 Films About Unions

Description: John Steinbeck's novel comes to life in this classic film about the Joad family's journey to California during the Great Depression, where they encounter the harsh realities of farm labour and union organizing.

Fact: The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Director for John Ford. It was also selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Description: This blacklisted film tells the story of a New Mexico mining community's strike for better conditions, focusing on the role of women in the union movement and the fight against discrimination.

Fact: The film was produced by blacklisted Hollywood professionals and was banned in the U.S. for many years due to its political content.

Description: This historical drama explores the secret society of Irish-American coal miners in Pennsylvania who fought against oppressive working conditions through covert union activities.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the coal mining regions of Pennsylvania. Sean Connery stars in one of his rare non-Bond roles.

Description: This heartwarming film recounts the true story of the unlikely alliance between London's gay community and striking Welsh miners in 1984, showcasing the power of solidarity across different communities.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM). It was also nominated for the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.

Description: A documentary that captures the 1973 Brookside Strike in Harlan County, Kentucky, showing the real-life struggles of coal miners fighting for union recognition and better working conditions.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It was also added to the National Film Registry in

Description: Based on the true story of Crystal Lee Sutton, this film follows a Southern textile worker who becomes involved in the labour union movement, highlighting the personal and professional challenges of union organizing.

Fact: Sally Field won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Norma Rae. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Description: Set during World War I, this film portrays the racial tensions and union struggles among African American and white workers in the Chicago stockyards, highlighting the intersection of race and labour rights.

Fact: The film was produced by PBS and has been praised for its accurate depiction of the era's labour conditions.

Description: Set in the coal mining town of Matewan, West Virginia, this film captures the violent confrontation between striking miners and the company's hired guns, emphasizing the importance of union solidarity.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual town of Matewan, providing an authentic backdrop. It was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Description: Directed by Ken Loach, this film focuses on the plight of janitors in Los Angeles who fight for better wages and working conditions, reflecting on the broader issues of immigrant rights and unionization.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life Justice for Janitors campaign. It was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Description: This film dramatizes the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out for equal pay, showcasing the impact of grassroots union activism.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life events at Ford's Dagenham plant. It was also nominated for several British Academy Film Awards.