Salt of the Earth

This screenplay of the controversial 1954 "film of persuasion" about a strike in a New Mexico zinc mine is extraordinary in its effort to deal with the struggles of workers and women, as they strive for dignity and equality. The film was the unique product of a collaboration between the mining families and blacklisted Hollywood people. The film's narrator and protagonist is a Mexican-American woman who grows in consciousness and effectiveness through her participation in the community struggle. Rosenfelt's analysis of the background, history, and significance of both the strike and the film includes a discussion of the change in status of the women who took part in this strike.