Heart of Steel

There's this myth that things are worse or harder today than they were in the 50's, 60's, or 70's.

However, the truth is that median (typical) incomes are much higher than they were in the 50's and 60's, and as high as they've ever been, even adjusted for inflation.

(I'm in my late 30's, so I also saw the movie when it came out, and remember those times.) The truth is that Americans today have far more opportunities than they've ever had in the past. It helps to get an education, of course, but that's also much easier than in the past. So the same values of hard work, honor, etc., can pay off just as much today as ever (if not more so).

The "Downward Spiral" of global trade the above poster notes is actually an upward spiral that has been lifting standards of living everywhere around the planet, including here. (White male incomes are again as high as they've ever been, and incomes for women and minorities are MUCH higher today. Incomes in places like Japan, China, and Europe are also much higher than they used to be.

Because of this trade, we benefit from cheaper goods and services, including things like cell phones, flat screen tvs, computers, and other products that were unimaginable 30 years ago.

And because of this global trade, there is much less chance of major global wars in the future, because we are tied together by mutually beneficial trade.

Yes, some of our dirtier, harder, and more dangerous jobs have been farmed out elsewhere. But is that really such a bad thing? In other words, don't believe the hype, do some research, and look at the entire picture before making judgments. It's always natural to look back and believe things were better in the past, but this isn't necessarily the case. My 5th grade teacher, in 1979, told me that someday people would look back at that time as "the good old days", even though inflation and unemployment were high, industry was suffering, etc. In other words, that nostalgia didn't always make much sense. He was right.

This movie struck home for me. Being 29, I remember the '80's and my father working in a factory. I figured, if I worked hard too, if I had pride and never gave up I too could have the American Dream, the house, a few kids, a car all to call my own. I've noted however, without a degree in something (unlike my father that quit at ninth grade) and a keen sense of greed and laziness, you can't get anywhere.

I would like to know if anyone has this movie on DVD or VHS. it's made for TV, and I just saw it an hour ago. Ic an't find it anywhere! I'd love to show this to my friends, my pseudo friends, family and other relatives, see what they think and remind them that once upon a time, Americans WOULD work for the sake of feeling honor and that we had pride in what we accomplished!! I think the feeling is still there, but in a heavy downward spiral with so many things being made overseas...

A brutally depressing script, some fine low-key performances by Peter Strauss and Pamela Reed and some good location shooting in Ohio power this fine TV movie about hard times in the rustbelt. As the mills close and the union jobs disappear, the blue-collar workers are threatened by everyone: management, owners, their wives and children. Strauss is completely believable in his role, and Pamela Reed is, as always, wonderful. See if you can recognize John Goodman before he put on weight.

The heavy metal score -- was someone making a pun? -- is, at times, obtrusively annoying, but the cinematography by Frank Stanley is knockout, particularly the mill scenes.

I was there for the filming in 1983. I taught business and economics at a local H.S and remember very well the circumstances surrounding the events portrayed in the movie.

In the scenes filmed at the USWA Local (actually in Steubenville, OH about 5 miles upriver), the references to the mill possibly being sold to the workers actually happened to Weirton Steel across the river in Weirton, WV as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). I also remember the flight from the valley after the bad recession of the early 80's of many, many workers. The summer of 1983 I visited relatives in San Antonio, TX where I saw signs outside small shops begging for welders and skilled tradesmen. I imagine some displaced Ohio workers migrated to those jobs.

It's a shame families were ruined because of these disruptions but unfortunately it currently happens daily on a smaller, less noticeable scale. I have a gut feeling we'll be seeing more and more of this due to GATT, NAFTA, and the Illegal Alien problems. Ross Perot, you were right! The sucking sound continues!

Just as there are remakes of "State Fair" and "Insomnia" or "The Lake House" perhaps we'll sadly be treated to a remake of "Heart of Steel".

While the soundtrack is a bit dated, this story is more relevant in the U.S. now more than ever. With not only blue collar jobs but everyone's jobs being outsourced by U.S. corporations while the government profits and American suffer.

Peter Strauss is Emory, a steel worker who works the same job his father did for 35 years. His wife is well-portrayed by Pamela Reed, who is very realistic, trying to support the family with two children when Emory loses his job. The mill is closed under the pretext of mismanagement, but there is also embezzlement and cheaper wages where they can pay one steelworker in one month (outsourcing) what they would have to pay Strauss/Emory in a day. Never mind that these men are all good loyal workers who have values and try the best for their family.

John Goodman, Gary Cole (as Strauss' brother) and a few other co-workers are also affected. It is very disturbing and realistic. Some scenes between Emory and his father are moving. Emory hopes his local union will be able to re-open the mill, as they promise to do so.

Emory's brother, Lee already sees the writing on the wall. There are no jobs left in the rust-belt (Ohio) and they must move on. However where in the U.S. can they move to?. Where will it be better for a blue-collar steel worker?.

There is a triumphant scene at the end where Emory and his crew fill the loading dock with steel products. The guard allows them to do this as a final gesture, one of the men committed suicide and he has empathy.

Overall, a good message film about hard times right here in America. Something that few care to face until personally affected. 8/10.