Learn the true story behind this landmark American film: get the DVD-Video of Salt of the Earth loaded with features, plus the paperback 50th anniversary edition of Salt of the Earth: The Story of a Film by Herbert Biberman for a low price!

Book:

In the history of Hollywood there are few films with a history as dramatically riveting as that of Salt of the Earth. Made during the height of the McCarthy era by a group of blacklisted filmmakers who were among the best and the brightest Hollywood talent of the day, Salt of the Earth is itself a powerful and emotionally charged feature-length film. On the occasion of the film’s 50th anniversary, Harbor Electronic Publishing is proud to offer a new edition of Salt of the Earth: The Story of a Film by Herbert Biberman.

In 1952 three blacklisted Hollywood filmmakers set out to make a movie which would turn out to be a “crime to fit the punishment.” One of the great union stories of all time, it was nevertheless smothered by corrupt Hollywood unions. Herbert Biberman and his partners Paul Jarrico and Academy Award winner Michael Wilson then struggled for more than 15 years to get their film seen. Years later, after two of the three partners had died, it would be one of the first films chosen to be listed in the National Film Registry - films to be preserved for all time. Only now, after fifty years, is it receiving its proper due.

Director Herbert Biberman’s eloquent, dramatic story of the making of Salt of the Earth - although it wasn’t suppressed - was given short shrift when it was first published in 1965. The blacklist was just ending; it was still too early to speak up and be heard.

This new edition, with an introduction by James Monaco, restores to circulation what is likely the most important “making of” book ever published. It is a story of true heroism and remarkable courage, with surprising relevance for our time.

DVD-Video:

For the first time, this disc tells the true story of this troubled production, while also allowing the user to meet the filmmakers, understand the historical background and view the film, all on the same platform.

One of 100 films chosen by the Library of Congress to be preserved for posterity Salt of the Earth is based on a 1950 strike by zinc miners in Silver City, New Mexico. Against a backdrop of social injustice, a riveting family drama is played out by the characters of Ramon and Esperanza Quintero, a Mexican-American miner and his wife. In the course of the strike, Ramon and Esperanza find their roles reversed: an injunction against the male strikers moves the women to take over the picket line, leaving the men to domestic duties. The women evolve from the men's subordinates into their allies and equals.

The DVD features a digitally enhanced transfer. (The print hasn't looked this good since the film was released.)

Also included:

• Documentary about The Hollywood Ten
• Chronicle of the troubled production and distribution of the only blacklisted feature film
• Hundreds of production stills
• Bios and filmographies of the filmmakers
• Theatrical trailer
• Shooting and editing notes
• History (with hundreds of photos) of the strike that is the subject of the film
• History of the Hollywood blacklist
• Congressional testimony of the blacklisted filmmakers

Salt of the Earth is an American Neorealist classic.