Synopsis
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 1876. A secret society of Irish coal miners, bond by a sacred oath, put pressure on the greedy and ruthless company they work for by sabotaging mining facilities in the hope of improving their working conditions and the lives of their families.
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Cast
- Sean ConneryJack Kehoe
- Richard HarrisJames McKenna
- Samantha EggarMary Raines
- Frank FinlayDavies
- Anthony ZerbeDougherty
- Bethel LeslieMrs. Kehoe
- Art LundFrazier
- Anthony CostelloFrank McAndrew
- Philip BourneufFather O'Connor
- Brendan DillonMr. Raines
Recommendations
- 80
Los Angeles Times
Ritt's film does not follow predictable lines, nor does it tidy up the personalities it examines. In the end, that unflinching honesty lends the The Molly Maguires pertinence and power. [08 Apr 1993, p.21] - 75
TV Guide Magazine
The film cannot compare with John Ford's masterpiece about coal miners, How Green Was My Valley. However, it does offer some memorable moments of quality and passion. - 75
USA Today
Though dully directed and a bit prettified by Martin Ritt, James Wong Howe's outdoor Pennsylvania vistas often combine stirringly with Henry Mancini's score. [26 Jul 1996, p.3D] - 70
Variety
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. - 60
Time Out
The trouble, as so often with Ritt films, is that the situation remains interesting rather than involving. But at least this detachment means that one has the leisure to savour the textures of Wong Howe's magnificent camerawork. - 60
Empire
Dour script but sterling performances from the two male leads, this is basically watchable if you're interested in the subject. - 60
The New Yorker
Ritt takes his time in building the atmosphere and introducing the people, and lets an image stay on the screen until we take it in. The movie is impressive yet lifeless. - 40
The New York Times
Realism without much reality, enormous care for the wrong details, historical accuracy and spineless dramaturgy, The Molly Maguires vacillates among intentions and settles finally for ponderous spectacle and easy irony.
