The Killing Floor (1984)

Set against the visceral backdrop of the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 and the blood-stained floors of the city's massive slaughterhouses, The Killing Floor presents a riveting tale of an epic struggle for racial and labor equality. Damien Leake spearheads the cast as Frank Custer, a black sharecropper from Mississippi, whose journey north during World War I is fueled by the promise of opportunity and racial equality in the industrial landscape of Chicago. As Custer finds his footing on the killing floor of a colossal meatpacking plant, he is thrust into a cauldron of racial tensions. The plant plays host to a labor movement where white immigrant workers, in a paradoxical bid to bolster their bargaining power, seek to integrate the newfound black migrants into the union. A gesture met with resistance from many black workers, whose past interactions with whites have left them skeptical and wary. Emerged in this tumultuous scenario, Frank Custer rises to the occasion, choosing to support the union and becoming a beacon for his fellow African-Americans. His decision, however, is not without consequence. It earns him the scorn and resentment of his southern brethren, including his closest friends, who perceive his actions as a betrayal. The Killing Floor is a rich tapestry of complex characters and strained alliances, offering a stark and compelling exploration of interracial union formation in the harsh environment of Chicago's brutal stockyards. This critically acclaimed independent film paints a vivid picture of a pivotal moment in labor history, where the fight for survival transcends racial boundaries and challenges the status quo.

The Killing Floor is a drama movie featuring Damien Leake and directed by Bill Duke.

The Killing Floor is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Criterion Channel and Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy The Killing Floor on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.