Salt of the Earth (1954)

In the heart of New Mexico, an arduous struggle unfolds in the entrails of the perilous zinc mines, spotlighting a tale that remained veiled from American eyes for 11 long years. Unveiling the lives of long-standing Hispanic miners, 'Salt of the Earth' uncovers the grim reality of Ramon Quintero, his resilient wife Esperanza, and their three children, tethered to the meager comforts of company-provided housing and plagued by deplorable sanitation. Ramon's life teeters on the edge as he works in the treacherous zinc mine, a place where safety is as elusive as the company's empathy for its workers. Following a chilling mining accident, the men rise in revolt, trading their tools for picket signs. For six relentless months, they hold their ground, warding off scabs, but their resolve is challenged by a court order aiming to dismantle their picketing lines. In the face of this adversity, the women rise from the shadows of their male counterparts, shouldering the mantle of resistance. This brave act, though leading many of them to jail, becomes the beacon guiding them toward an unexpected victory. 'Salt of the Earth' is more than a tale of a strike against the Empire Zinc Mine; it is a journey into the heart of prejudice and the fight for dignity. The Mexican-American workers strive not only for wage parity with their Anglo counterparts but also to shatter the mold of their mistreatment. Their ultimate triumph lies in the realization that prejudice and injustice are not merely imposed by external forces but are conditions to challenge and overcome. This movie is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the workers and their families, who discover that their true power lies within their unity and shared belief in equality.

Salt of the Earth is a drama movie featuring Rosaura Revueltas and directed by Herbert J. Biberman.

Salt of the Earth is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Cineverse, DistroTV, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, Public Domain Movies, The Film Detective and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Classix, FlixFling, IndieFlix, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Salt of the Earth on Amazon Video and FlixFling or rent it on Pantaflix.