Search - American Dream on DVD

A haunting film...

04/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is so dramatically powerful, it's hard to believe it's real life. It's the devastating story of what happens to a small town when it's only industry turns against it. The characters are larger-than-life and the movie sticks with you long after it's over. The viewer is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride from the hopeful beginnings of the strike to the crushing end. Having family in Austin, MN (where the film takes place), I can say that this movie hits the nail on the head all too well. See this film. It's a truly moving experience."

A very educational film

J. P. Warrant | United States | 12/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a high school teacher, and I use this film as a part of a unit entitled "The American Dream." Sure, this film is titled appropriately enough, but its significance runs much deeper.Although I was just in grade school while the Hormel strike was raging, I do remember hearing about it on the news. I found this film to be a candid glimpse into the tenacity of the union struggle as well as a highlight of decisions that impacted people's lives forever.Barbara Kopple did a wonderful job of interviewing union members who felt differently about the struggle going on. Each year, while my class views the film, I wonder whatever happened to the two brothers she highlights in the film -- one who was pro-union, no matter what, and one who decided to cross the picket line to support his family. In the film, the pro-union brother disowns his brother for becoming a scab. I found that family squabble to be classic of the kind of destruction this long, drawn out union battle caused.This film represents the American Dream quite nicely. Here you have hundreds and thousands of union members who are fighting for the American Dream, but whose vision becomes a little cloudy during the struggle. I feel that Barbara Kopple did a good job of presenting the material in an unbiased way, for each year my students seem to view the film in their own ways. Not everyone comes to one conclusion as to which side was right or wrong."

An excellent film about the evolution and effect a strike

08/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary traces the development of labor unrest at a company that is planning to make substantial reductions in employees' pay. The story is told primarily from the employees' viewpoint, and includes elements of corporate campaigning, local versus international union politics, internal politics, the strike, and loss of employees' jobs. The human perspective is fully developed including emotional peaks and valleys, the strife within families, the decay of relationships between workers, and the the affect on the community. The documentary is extremely well filmed and very moving."

American Nightmare

Zane Thomas | Georgia | 04/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the story of what happens when things get way out of control. Workers at a Hormel factory go on strike due to pay decreases and all hell breaks loose. They turn against each other over certain issues. It is a bleak and disturbing look at how low some people can go and the evil things they can impose on love ones and friends when "loyalty" is broken. Haunting."