Black Fury is loud, dusty, and doesn't know when to quit

Is this thing worth your time?

Honestly, you probably only want to watch Black Fury if you have a weird obsession with 1930s labor politics or if you just really like watching Paul Muni act like his life depends on it. If you like quiet, subtle dramas, stay far, far away. This movie is about as subtle as a pickaxe to the forehead. ⛏️

It starts out okay, just showing the grim reality of the coal mines. But then it gets bogged down in so many speeches that I found myself checking my phone to see if my dinner was ready. It’s loud. Everyone is always shouting about the union or the bosses.

Paul Muni is... doing a lot here. He’s playing a character who is just trying to live his life, but he’s constantly being pushed into these massive, dramatic situations. There is a scene where he’s just sitting there, drinking, and he does this whole monologue that lasts forever. You can feel the director just letting him run wild.

Some odd observations from the dark

• The coal dust on everyone's faces is so obviously stage makeup, it’s distracting.
• I’m pretty sure I saw the same extra walking by the mine entrance at least four times.
• The fight scenes look like a group of guys trying to remember their choreography while they’re already exhausted.
• There is a moment involving a strike-breaker that is just genuinely uncomfortable to watch. It didn’t feel like a movie anymore.

It’s funny to compare this to something like Morocco where everything feels so sleek and styled. Black Fury has zero interest in looking pretty. It’s dirty, sweaty, and honestly, a bit of a mess.

I wish the movie spent more time showing us the actual work instead of just having guys stand in a circle and argue about wages. The middle section drags so hard it feels like you’re actually stuck underground with them. Ugh.

Is it a classic? Maybe in some circles. Is it fun? Not really. It’s more like a chore that you feel obligated to finish because you started it. Sometimes, even the respected old films just feel like they’re trying way too hard to prove a point.

I don't know, maybe I'm just tired of the shouting. It’s a very specific kind of 1930s energy that hasn't aged well at all. 🚂