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SALT OF THE EARTH (1954)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047443/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00213XMPY/
http://organa.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_27&products_id=24

DVD Studio: Organa
DVD Release Date: March 30, 2010

Director: Herbert J. Biberman

Description
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Based on actual events, this landmark film depicts a strike by Mexican-American mineworkers in New Mexico. With the exception of five actors, the cast comprises non-professionals, mostly participants in the real-life strike. The film is remarkably prophetic in its portrayal of the wives of the oppressed workers which seem to anticipate the women's liberation movement that would rise over a decade later.

The film's very existence is the result of political struggle. In the history of Hollywood there are few films with a story behind its making as dramatically riveting as that of Salt of the Earth. Made during the height of the McCarthy era by a group of blacklisted filmmakers who were among the best and the brightest Hollywood talent of the day, Salt of the Earth is itself a powerful and emotionally charged feature-length film. During production, the blacklisted cast and crew were subject to attacks by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and other anti-Communist organizations. These attacks were misguided, however, as Salt of the Earth is now considered one of the most important American films in history.

Format: NTSC
DVD Size: 4.17 GB -- Exact Untouched Copy
Runtime (main feature): 94 minutes
Type: Black and White
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Sound (main feature): English DD2.0
Subtitles: optional Spanish

Disc Features
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# Documentary about The Hollywood Ten.
# Chronicle of troubled production & distribution of only film ever blacklisted.
# Hundreds of production stills.
# Bios and filmographies of the filmmakers.
# Original theatrical trailer.
# Shooting and editing notes.
# History (with hundreds of photos) of the strike that is the subject of the film.
# History of the Hollywood blacklist.
# Congressional testimony of the blacklisted filmmakers.

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a.b.dvd.classics