Local 323

The world of politics can be a dangerous place, and no one knows this more than real life union-activist Jock Yablonski (Charles Bronson). After successfully defeating the long-standing president of the United Mine Workers in a 1969 election, Yablonski and two of his immediate family members were murdered at night while they slept. Rather than focus on the murders themselves, director Mackenzie tells the story of everyone involved with the crime in three separate, but intertwining stories. We follow the campaign trail of Yablonski, the desperation of Tony Boyle and his cronies, and the hired assassins, getting an eagle eye's view into their lives. Done effectively, this is a very powerful tool in helping the audience associate with the characters, and the situations they find themselves in. Whether it was because of the confines of a made for TV movie or just bad direction I'm not sure, but Mackenzie was not successful in representing all sides evenly, and it was glaringly apparent where his biases lie. All of the acting was solid, with Bronson and Ellen Burstyn playing a very convincing married couple. Wilford Brimley turned in another great performance as the racist, corrupt, and all around dirty president of the Mine Workers' Union, and Keanu acted just as Keanu does, albeit without much screen time. If you're fiercely interested in American politics I would say it's worth checking out. If not, don't bother: go outside and take a walk, or learn how to make a new dish, this is not worth your time. Rating: 21/40

This could have made a pretty good TV movie. Bronson who was a mine worker when he was younger. I won't add much to what have already said the other users. Only one thing, this film is for an action flicks actor like Bronson, the equivalent of what Norman Jewison's FIST was for Stallone, eight years earlier. Another biography drama involving trade unions, mafia and corruption with the lead character fighting against them.

First of all this, yes this TV films was more like a genuine Bronson film with a great performance. This is one to watch for everybody. I'm 17 and live in the UK and don't get many Bronson films over here considering he made his great career over in before he did in the great US. The only way i can get Bronson films is one Ebay, and i'm nerely complete of all his films, i have all the great 80's films he did apart from this one. (soon hopefully) And i'll have most of all the 70's ones aswell, on dvd on video.. Why isn't this film and all the 80's and most of the early 70's bronson films on DVD like The Mechanic. Come on people that film needs to be on DVD with a Death Wish box set aswell...

This film really does work, and as a kid i always wouldn't who that guy was without his mustash, it was the guy nerely unrecognisible. I mean i can tell Bronson in his other 70's films without THE GREAT TASH. Like Hard Times... But in the 80's that was his crown, well and the 70's but without the tash it wasn't really the guy, but still tough.(Like schwarzenegger's crown was his hair like in commando and Clint with his 44 Magnum).

People watch this great film, this is superb and fantastic action drama film...

I'm a big Ellen Burstyn fan, so I'll see anything with her. But I didn't have high expectations for this based on the title (sounds like a Steven Seagal actioner) and the cover artwork (looks like a pulpy B-movie, with Ellen's mug thrown in as an afterthought).

Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised. Ellen was excellent as always, but Charles Bronson was also terrific, as was a young Keanu (spelled Keannu in the credits) Reeves. But the real revelation here is Wilford Brimley as the union boss. What a great bad-ass! For those used to seeing Wilford harp about cholesterol and diabetes, check this one out. You'll realize how much he's wasting his talent by doing those commercials.

This is a moving human drama with fine performances, captivating direction and a compelling, if occasionally clichéd, script. It's an act of triumph. Eight out of 10 stars.

I can only imagine how perplexed fans of Charles Bronson were, after seeing at their video store the title of this movie and the box cover art, and discovering when bringing the movie home that the movie is far from an action movie. It's instead a serious drama based on a true story, with Bronson playing a determined (and non violent) man struggling to bring change. And Bronson does pretty well in this serious role - you can believe that this person really cares and is passionate about his quest to bring change. His performance compensates for the fact that the role isn't quite fully written - the character of Jack Yablonski isn't given quite enough time to explain his feelings or motivations. But the movie is well crafted in other areas. The period detail is fine, Wilford Brimley makes for a slimy (but believable) Tony Boyle, and there isn't a boring or tedious moment anywhere in the movie. Though I suspect a book telling of this true life incident would be a lot more informative, the movie is acceptable for those who have a mild interest in the United Mine Workers' Union going-ons in the 1960s.