Arlis Fuson This is based on real events and follows the story of the union for coal miners and the politics, greed, and dishonesty involved. When a mine explodes in West Virginia and many miners are killed the president of the union goes down and makes a speech about how it wasn't the unions fault. One of his men gets fed up with his lack of humanity for the miners and he runs against him for president so he can once again give the union back to the workers. The president of course is crooked and hires a young man to kill him. The young man hires a couple of thugs and goes out to complete his mission, and the politics of the game all come back and catch up with these crooks in the end.I really love Charles Bronson and had never seen this movie before. It is a different style of acting for Bronson and there is no gun in his hand. He is actually a sweet innocent man in this film. This movie had a great story based on real events. It is hard to pull such a movie off and most times they are never perfect to watch. You cant really add juicy events that didn't happen and you can never tell the whole story and do it justice. This story and the truths behind these events are great and this movie couldn't pack in all the details into a feature film. They did a great job none the less.I must say I loved the cast which featured heavyweights Bronson, Wilford Brimley (playing a bad guy - the crooked union president), Ellen Burnstyn as Bronsons wife and Hoyt Anxton and Ellen Barkin playing smaller roles and also a very young Keanu Reeves in one of his earliest roles, perhaps his first I am not sure.I hated the song the movie started out with, that was one of the worst things, and I admit it was hard to accept the ending, even though it was based on real events, it still wasn't the ending I wanted. It was one of those movies that spends the last five minutes making you read what happened to everyone, and you kind of wanted to see some of it happen.I liked the film quite a bit, its a good little drama...I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

kenny782 This is really a great movie. It wasn't easy but I tracked it down on VHS a while ago. Charles Bronson is always good, even without a gun. Though I will say Quaker oats man as the bad guy gave me a pretty laugh, though he was very good.It's sad that something like this really happened. But corruption at the top is unfortunately isn't anything new, look at what's going on now.Anyway this is a great movie 10 out of 10, I highly recommend it.Does anyone know what the intro song is and who's singing? I really like that song, easily adapted to corporate America too lolThanks,-Kenny

lost-in-limbo Bronson a union leader?! Yep, he's running for the job as president of the United Mines Union, due to the poor state of the party's image. But he finds it's not going to be easy, as president Tony Boyle (a larger than life Wilford Brimley) will pull out all punches (all) to rid them of the honorable union organizer Jock Yablonski who has the safety of his workers on mind, than say money.This Bronson outing (made-for-TV) is far away from what he was constantly working in through the 80s, and stemming from this inspired true story (set in 1969) is a confronting drama defying the odds being fuelled by intense confrontations, inner conflict, devious interests, embezzlement and cold-blooded murder. Its power comes from Bronson's hearty turn, an admirable Ellen Burstyn and a credibly concise script. It remains captivating throughout, holding an agreeable amount of momentum in suspense and intrigue through the campaign, although it won't hold much surprises and the conclusion feels a little short-changed after the stinging climax.The sub-plot involving the hired assassins (Robert Schenkkan leading the way) feels at times clumsy and drawn out (mainly due to these people not being professionals), but there's something unnerving lurking underneath it all. Plus Keanu Reeves shows up as one of the killers, and is actually rather good in a minor part.Director John MacKenzie lets the story unfold slowly, but manages a tight and focused grip in a conservative style. Plain for some, but well measured for others. Nothing truly stands out (film-making wise from the music to cinematography), but it works in with the tactically stern frame it went for.Committed handling throughout.

Andrew Eastenegger 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...