Paramount/Tamm. Director Martin Ritt; Producer Martin Ritt, Walter Bernstein; Screenplay Walter Bernstein; Camera James Wong Howe; Editor Frank Bracht; Music Henry Mancini; Art Director Tambi Larsen
Sean Connery
Richard Harris
Samantha Eggar
Frank Finlay
Anthony Zerbe
Bethel Leslie
The Molly Maguires, based on a Pennsylvania coal miners' rebellion of the late 19th century, is occasionally brilliant. Sean Connery, Richard Harris and Samantha Eggar head a competent cast.
Story background ('suggested' by an Arthur H. Lewis book) depicts Irish immigrants existing in the sort of company-captivity common to other American industries of the period. Employer abuses had led to unsuccessful strikes, after which the workers spawned an underground militant group.
Story is primarily that of Harris, hired by the mineowners to infiltrate the workers' ranks. Connery is a rebel leader. Eggar appears occasionally for some light romantic interludes with Harris.
1970: Nomination: Best Art Direction
(Color) Widescreen. Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1970. Running time: 124 MIN.
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