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Harlan County U.S.A. poster

Harlan County U.S.A.

1977·Movie·PG·105 min·7.5(115)

Which Side Are You On?

This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Eastover's refusal to sign a contract (when the miners joined with the United Mine Workers of America) led to the strike, which lasted more than a year and included violent battles between gun-toting company thugs/scabs and the picketing miners and their supportive women-folk. Director Barbara Kopple puts the strike into perspective by giving us some background on the historical plight of the miners and some history of the UMWA. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2004.

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Where to watch Harlan County U.S.A. in United States

Click a service to open Harlan County U.S.A. there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is Harlan County U.S.A. streaming around the world?

CountryStreaming onRent / Buy
United StatesHBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, HBO MaxFandango At Home
CanadaCriterion Channel

About Harlan County U.S.A.

Harlan County U.S.A. is a 1977 English-language documentary film directed by Barbara Kopple. The cast is led by Norman Yarborough, Houston Elmore, Phil Sparks. It has a runtime of 1h 45m. Viewers rate it 7.5/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel.

Harlan County U.S.A. was produced by Cabin Creek Films and made in United States of America. It was released on January 23, 1977, and carries a PG certification.

Director
Barbara Kopple
Release date
January 23, 1977
Original language
English
Age rating
PG
Status
Released
Country
United States of America
Production
Cabin Creek Films
#strike#kentucky#mining#working class#union#labor#labor union#woman director#miners strike#black lung#united mine workers

Harlan County U.S.A. cast & crew

Harlan County U.S.A. was directed by Barbara Kopple.

The cast features Norman Yarborough as Self - Eastover Mining President, Houston Elmore as Self - UMW Organizer, Phil Sparks as Self - UMW Staff, Bessie Lou Cornett Parker as Self, Sudie Crusenberry as Self, and Mary Lou Fergerson as Self.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Hazel Dickens, cinematography is by Kevin Keating, and it was produced by Barbara Kopple.

Is Harlan County U.S.A. worth watching?

Harlan County U.S.A. holds an audience score of 7.5/10 from 115 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed documentary films.

At 1h 45m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy documentary, Harlan County U.S.A. is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch Harlan County U.S.A.

In United States, you can stream Harlan County U.S.A. on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, and HBO Max, or rent and buy it on Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.

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Cast of Harlan County U.S.A.

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Norman Yarborough

Self - Eastover Mining President

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Houston Elmore

Self - UMW Organizer

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Phil Sparks

Self - UMW Staff

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Bessie Lou Cornett Parker

Self

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Sudie Crusenberry

Self

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Mary Lou Fergerson

Self

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Basil Collins

Self - Mine Foreman

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Florence Reece

Self

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Lois Scott

Self

Harlan County U.S.A. — FAQs

Where can I watch Harlan County U.S.A. in United States?

Harlan County U.S.A. is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, HBO Max in United States.

Is Harlan County U.S.A. on HBO Max Amazon Channel?

Yes — Harlan County U.S.A. is currently available on HBO Max Amazon Channel in United States.

What language is Harlan County U.S.A. in?

Harlan County U.S.A. is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.

How long is Harlan County U.S.A.?

Harlan County U.S.A. runs 1 hours 45 minutes (105 minutes).

What is Harlan County U.S.A. rated?

Harlan County U.S.A. is rated PG. It holds a 7.5/10 audience score from 115 ratings.

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Harlan County U.S.A. (1977) — where to watch online · SearchOTT