In the history of Hollywood there are few films with a story behind its making 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. 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.) The quality is far superior to VHS or other versions.

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.

This is the official edition of the film produced under license from the filmmakers' families.