Salt of the Earth (1954) Review in 2025
Salt of the Earth is a 1954 drama film that tells the story of a Mexican-American woman who leads a strike against her employer, highlighting the struggles of workers in the mining industry.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
This movie is not suitable for family viewing due to its mature themes, strong language, and some violence.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for its thought-provoking story, strong performances, and excellent direction. However, it may not be suitable for all audiences due to its mature themes and some violence.
Spoiler Alert!
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The film revolves around Ramona, a Mexican-American woman who works in a New Mexico mine and decides to lead a strike against her employer, Mike, after he refuses to improve working conditions and pay. The strike gains momentum, and Ramona becomes a leader, but she faces opposition from the mine owners and the local community.
Review Details
story9.00/10
The story is engaging and thought-provoking, highlighting the struggles of workers in the mining industry and the importance of unionization.
acting9.00/10
The acting is excellent, with strong performances from the cast, especially Juan Chacón and Will Geer.
characters8.00/10
The characters are well-developed, especially Ramona, who is a strong and determined leader. However, some characters feel underdeveloped.
direction9.00/10
The direction is excellent, with a clear vision and a strong sense of social commentary.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is good, but it feels a bit dated in some scenes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie's thought-provoking story, strong performances, and excellent direction make it a must-watch for fans of social issues and drama.
Cons
The movie's dated cinematography and some underdeveloped characters are drawbacks.
Notable Quotes
"The salt of the earth is the sweat and blood of the working man."
"We are not just miners, we are human beings."
