Listmania!
Labor media: movies and music about class struggle
By an Amazon.com customer
Salt of the EarthSalt of the Earth
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $4.05
In addition to the main story about a labor fight, this movie also portrays domestic (gender) oppression and racial division--particularly, how the bosses exploit each one in order to divide and defeat workers.
The Suppression of Salt of the Earth: How Hollywood, Big Labor, and Politicians Blacklisted a Movie in the American Cold WarThe Suppression of Salt of the Earth: How Hollywood, Big Labor, and Politicians Blacklisted a Movie in the American Cold War by James J. Lorence
Buy new: $23.95 / Used from: $6.16
Though it is just a fictional story of a simple labor strike, it became, by some accounts, the only film EVER blacklisted in the U.S. http://www.culturevulture.net/books/Suppression.htm
Harlan County, U.S.A. - Criterion CollectionHarlan County, U.S.A. - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $31.49 / Used from: $23.38
Yeah, it's expensive--find a copy at a public library. The scene where a New York City cop talks with a West Virginia coal miner who is picketing Wall Street is pretty awesome. ;)
MatewanMatewan
Buy used from: $48.70
I actually haven't seen this one yet. I've heard good stuff about it.
Norma RaeNorma Rae
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $3.93
In a lot of ways, a modern day Salt of the Earth, although a way more Hollywoodized version. Includes a lot of the same themes as SOTE. Worth watching.
Office Space - Special Edition with Flair (Widescreen Edition)Office Space - Special Edition with Flair (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $2.85
F*ckin' A.
The TakeThe Take
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $16.86
Documentary on the movement among workers in Argentina to take over and self-manage factories that get closed down in the wake of economic "restructuring". An interesting model of how the industrial sector would work under socialism and workers' control. If workers' self-management is your interest, I suggest you read up on the economy of Yugoslavia under Tito.
The WobbliesThe Wobblies
Buy new: $24.49 / Used from: $18.15
One Big Union! "By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new society within the shell of the old." http://www.iww.org/culture/official/preamble.shtml
The InternationaleThe Internationale
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $12.19
The international working class anthem. Too bad I haven't found an equally good film on the history of May Day. :(
The InternationaleThe Internationale by Billy Bragg
Buy used from: $0.78
"The workers' flag is deepest red"
Must I Paint You a Picture? The Essential Billy BraggMust I Paint You a Picture? The Essential Billy Bragg by Billy Bragg
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $13.99
Songs like "There Is Power in a Union", "The World Turned Upside Down", and lots more.
Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John LennonWorking Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon by Various Artists
Buy used from: $1.92
If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope & StruggleIf I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope & Struggle by Pete Seeger
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $6.98
A whole CD of his labor songs.
A Link in the ChainA Link in the Chain by Pete Seeger
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $6.42
Bruce Springsteen-We Shall Overcome-The Seeger Sessions (Pvg)Bruce Springsteen-We Shall Overcome-The Seeger Sessions (Pvg) by Pete Seeger Bruce Springsteen
Buy new: $16.95 / Used from: $20.47
This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1 by Woody Guthrie
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $9.68
A time capsule, includes some good labor tunes.
The Freewheelin' Bob DylanThe Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.29
Mostly anti-war stuff.
Essential ClashEssential Clash by The Clash
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $7.05
Songs like "Career Opportunities", "Cheat", "Clampdown" (which draws a parallel between Nazi Germany's SA brownshirt thugs and bosses at work), "The Magnificent Seven" (which actually references the labor theory of value).
Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Buy new: $37.47 / Used from: $45.00
Songs like "Fortunate Son", "The Working Man", "Wrote a Song for Everyone", "The Midnight Special".
One Man RevolutionOne Man Revolution by The Nightwatchman
Buy used from: $6.00
"Union Song", and all the rest too.
The Fabled CityThe Fabled City by Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Buy used from: $7.43
See Tom live if you possibly can. He puts on an unbelievable show as the Nightwatchman.
Rebel Voices: Songs of the Industrial Workers of the WorldRebel Voices: Songs of the Industrial Workers of the World by Various Artists
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $8.00